Holy Spirit help me turn my eyes to look to heaven, because I trust in God...

 
Daniel 3 & Daniel 13

The prophet Daniel faced certain death at least twice during his exile in Babylon – first by being shoved into a fiery furnace, and then by being thrust into a pit of lions; Susanna, a virtuous Jewish woman faced the treachery of two “elders” who devised her death sentence; and Christ Jesus faced torture and finally death by crucifixion. All three of these individuals showed us how to face up to serious threats to life and limb. All three turned their eyes to heaven because they trusted in the saving Grace of God. Although I may never face such extreme offences against my person, it is good to remind myself that when push comes to shove, I can always turn my gaze heavenward and trust in God’s salvation – whether that salvation comes in the form of a cool moist wind in the midst of a fire, the mouths of lions being closed, a young prophet who is moved by the Holy Spirit to speak up on my behalf, or resurrection three days after death. Will I stare at the atrocities that swirl around me, or will I turn my eyes to heaven to look for God’s  salvation?  Holy Spirit, help me turn my eyes to look to heaven, because I trust in God.    
  
If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.   (John 8:31)
 
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in his wonderful face,
And the things of this world will grow strangely dim,
In the light of his goodness and grace.
Helen Howarth Lemmel, 1918  (During the Spanish flu pandemic)
 
Soli ad gloriam
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