August 30: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

Key Text:
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” Hebrews 12:2, KJV

Hymn: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
Words and Music: Helen H. Lemmel

The hymn “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” is a popular and beloved hymn, reminding us that where we choose to focus our attention matters.

So often we are faced with situations that demand our attention. Constant pressures, disappointments, responsibilities, fears and uncertainties can easily consume our thoughts. Before long, what we are facing can begin to feel bigger than the God we serve.

We think about the problem when we wake up.

We carry it throughout the day.

We turn it over and over in our minds, wondering what will happen, how things will work out or whether anything will ever change.

But this hymn gently calls us to shift our focus.

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus.”

It does not tell us to ignore our problems or pretend that difficulties do not exist. Faith is not pretending that everything is fine when it is not.

Instead, the hymn reminds us that our circumstances should not become the only thing we can see.

Hebrews 12:2 tells us to look unto Jesus, “the author and finisher of our faith.”

There is something powerful about intentionally turning our attention toward Him.

When Peter walked on the water, he was able to move forward while his attention was fixed on Jesus. But when he became overwhelmed by the wind and the waves around him, fear took over and he began to sink.

The storm had been there all along.

What changed was Peter’s focus.

How often does the same thing happen to us?

The difficulties of life can become so loud that they dominate our thoughts. We begin measuring everything by what we can see instead of remembering what we know about God.

The diagnosis becomes our focus.

The financial struggle becomes our focus.

The broken relationship becomes our focus.

The unanswered prayer becomes our focus.

The uncertainty about tomorrow becomes our focus.

And slowly, fear begins to speak louder than faith.

But Jesus is still there.

Turning our eyes upon Jesus does not always mean that the storm immediately stops. Sometimes the circumstances remain exactly the same for a while.

What can change is our perspective.

When we look to Jesus, we remember who He is.

He is faithful.

He is present.

He is powerful.

He knows the end from the beginning.

He sees what we cannot see.

He understands what we cannot understand.

There are moments when we cannot control what is happening around us, but we can choose where we direct our attention.

We can continually rehearse everything that might go wrong, or we can remind ourselves of the One who has carried us before.

We can allow fear to tell us that we are alone, or we can remember that Jesus has promised never to leave us.

We can stare at the closed door, or we can trust that God still knows the way forward.

Sometimes the greatest change God brings is not first in the situation around us, but in the heart within us.

When our eyes are fixed on Jesus, fear begins to lose its hold. Anxiety gives way to trust. Our problems may still be real, but they no longer have to control our thoughts.

The hymn says that the things of earth grow strangely dim when we look at Jesus.

That does not mean our responsibilities, pain or concerns become unimportant. It means they are placed in their proper perspective.

Jesus becomes greater in our view.

And perhaps today that is what some of us need.

Not another answer.

Not another explanation.

Not another attempt to figure everything out.

Perhaps we simply need to turn our eyes toward Jesus again.

When the news is troubling, look to Jesus.

When the future is uncertain, look to Jesus.

When your prayers seem unanswered, look to Jesus.

When your strength feels small, look to Jesus.

When your mind is crowded with worry, look to Jesus.

We may not know what tomorrow holds, but we know the One who holds us.

And when our eyes are fixed on Him, we are reminded that whatever we face, we do not face it alone.

Reflection Questions

What situation has been occupying most of my thoughts lately?

Have I been focusing more on what I am facing than on who Jesus is?

What truth about Jesus do I need to remind myself of today?

Statement

My circumstances may demand my attention, but they do not have to control my focus. I choose to turn my eyes upon Jesus, trusting that He is greater than anything I face.

Prayer

Jesus, when life feels overwhelming, help me to turn my eyes toward You. Quiet my fears, strengthen my faith and remind me that You are always near. Keep my heart focused on You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Copyright Notice

Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), unless otherwise indicated. Brief hymn excerpts are included for devotional reflection. All hymn copyrights remain the property of their respective authors, composers and publishers.