mer-see
"I want to see." —Mark 10:51
Do you have 20/20 spiritual vision? Like Balaam, is your eye so true that you see "what the Almighty sees, enraptured, and with eyes unveiled"? (Nm 24:4) Are you "gazing on the Lord's glory with unveiled faces"? (2 Cor 3:18) Many Christians can see enough to realize they need to see much more clearly spiritually. Consequently, we should pray with the blind Bartimaeus: "I want to see" (Mk 10:51).
Before we make our prayer for sight, we should pray for God's mercy (Mk 10:47). Often the Lord appears to not answer this prayer immediately while those around us respond to this prayer negatively (see Mk 10:48). However, we should keep praying for mercy until the Lord calls us to come to Him and ask for sight (see Mk 10:49ff).
We pray for mercy before asking for sight because our sins have caused our impaired vision. Therefore, we must repent and receive God's forgiveness and mercy before having our spiritual sight restored.
This shows us how valuable Confession is. It is the difference between seeing or being "blinded by the god of the present age" (2 Cor 4:4). Go to Confession, receive God's mercy, open your eyes, and see.
Prayer: Father, may I see mercy and mercifully see.
Promise: "The Most High possesses all knowledge, and sees from of old the things that are to come; He makes known the past and the future, and reveals the deepest secrets." —Sir 42:18-19
Praise: Tim grew up in a coal mining town and spent much of his childhood and youth fighting other boys. He gave his life to Jesus, and now he uses his toughness to defeat Satan, lead ministries, and teach Scripture in a straightforward proclamation of truth.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our leaflet, The Secret of Confession, or our tape on audio AV 44-3 or video V-44.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, November 2, 2012
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