Be Thou My Vision

I need a new vision.

I’m not getting much of a vision by scrolling on my phone. In fact, it’s making me depressed. It’s supposed to make me feel connected to the whole world, but I can’t handle the whole world. It’s too much. It’s too heavy. I quit.

I need a new vision of God. I need to feel connected to God again – to the One who can handle the universe. Like Isaiah, I need to see some things with new eyes. It was around 740 B.C., “the year that King Uzziah died.” The Lord graciously showed the prophet some critical realities which were sure to leave a lasting impression (Isaiah 6).

I need a lasting impression, friends. Deep within my soul, today, I’m finding consolation in an old Irish hymn …

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art
Thou my best thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light!

I need to remember the smoke and the fire. There were seraphim, for goodness’ sake! “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!” What was Isaiah thinking? What was he hearing? What was he smelling? Whatever it was, it was enough for him to recognize himself as the wretch that he really was. A wretch like me. I need to remember how awesome the whole experience of seeing the Lord must have been!

I need to remember the grace and the glory. “Woe is me! I am a man of unclean lips.” Yep. That’s me. But my God has already made provision for that. Just as He provided for Isaiah, He has provided for me, but even better. He has sent His Son, to live the life that I failed to live, and to die the death that I deserved. What love! Isaiah didn’t earn it, and he didn’t do a thing except receive that loving touch: “Your guilt is taken away, and your sin atoned for.”

I need to remember my calling. “Here I am! Send me.” I’m not worthy, but that never stopped the Lord from calling a servant into action. He might even put me on the frontlines today. And, wherever He sends us today, He goes with us. He is always manifestly present with us. We are His covenant people. We are the sheep of His pasture.

I need to remember a sovereign plan that blows my mind. Some hearts God will soften, and some He will harden. Who am I to question His wisdom or His ways? I’m simply the ambassador of His good news. The way before us may seem steep, friends, and the spiritual terrain difficult to navigate. Like Isaiah, at times, we’ll feel like crying: “How long, O Lord?” But He is here, and He will answer.

God, fix my eyes on You. On You alone. Please drown out the news and the noise of this world. May I be left with You, and may I find my complete satisfaction in Jesus Christ.

Riches I heed not, nor vain, empty praise
Thou mine inheritance, now and always
Thou and Thou only first in my heart
High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art!

Friends, perhaps some of you can hear my heart today. You can’t see me, but you can hear my heart. May the same be true of your walk with God on this autumn day in 2023. Maybe you can’t see the Lord working in all the ways in which you desire to see Him work … but, in your heart of hearts, you know that He’s right there with you …

High King of heaven, my victory won
May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s sun
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall
Still be my vision, O ruler of all!

Pastor Charles