Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

The first verse of the beautiful hymn, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus: “O, soul are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see?” is a line that resonates with many of us in various seasons or from time to time, I’m sure. Maybe you’re in such a season or are facing such a time right now. Maybe you’re coming out of such a season or space of time and on the other side you’re seeing the answer to the weary, the trouble, the darkness: “There’s light for a look at the Savior, And life more abundant and free!”

I’ve spent the better part of a year seeking that more abundant life: listening to hymns and gospel music most all day, every day. Quiet mornings in the Word and in prayer, journaling slices of life — followed by music to fill my mind all day. Life changes, disappointments, sorrows, loss, health challenges, and waiting… lots of waiting on the Lord for things to be completed or brought to pass.  Through it all, I trace the Hand of the Lord; through it all, I see His mercy and experience His grace.

Through it all, I know that I know that I know:
(verse 3)
His Word shall not fail you—He promised;
Believe Him and all will be well:
Then go to a world that is dying,
His perfect salvation to tell!

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of heart will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.

Though I’ve desired to write/blog for some time. Some days I sit here at the table, looking at this computer and think: I’ll write when the storms pass. I’ll write when I can share words of some value. I’ll write when I get it together. Today I’m writing and it seems those criteria aren’t really met or present. But today I simply write in the light of His mercy, in the midst of a storm, weary and a little troubled. But, really, being weary or troubled in the midst of a storm doesn’t prevent me from seeing the loving face of my Saviour—being weary or troubled doesn’t cause me do doubt Him for a minute.

Nothing escapes His gaze: His eye is on the sparrow in the midst of a storm.  Before me He stretches out His hand and bids me—again—to follow Him—to look to Him—to trust in Him.

I look up and see His glory and grace.
I open my hands and catch the rain of His mercy.
I wait on Him to guide my steps.

I trust Him — for all I’ve seen, all I’ve heard, all I’ve experienced: (verse 2) “Through death into Life everlasting, He passed and we follow Him there; over us sin hath no more dominion—for more than conquerers we are!”

Sisters, believe this. It’s true. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. (John 14.6)
This is the Good News. HE will carry you. He will save you, guide you, provide for you wherever you are. The truth is in Him. The Truth is in His Word.

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
(written by Helen H. Lemmel in 1918)