Twin Peaks

The scripture for today is Matthew 13:16

Matthew 13:16 But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear.

Jesus, speaking to His disciples, distinguishes the believers from the unbelievers. The unbelievers rejected the word of God and the great blessing that He offered them through Christ. The disciples eagerly embraced the word of God and His Son. Jesus pronounced them blessed, for they were indeed blessed. The blessing was the result of their willingness to receive the Word and the grace that God offered.

While unbelieving skeptics, and their rationalizations, present an alternative to the truth and appeal to the vanity of man, the truth of God is perceived and received by faith. Those who, by faith, receive the word of God are blessed and happy. “Conversely, those who have eyes that do not see and ears that do not hear, are unhappy. True happiness comes only when the eyes of the soul “see” the light of truth. Those who lack spiritual insight can never be truly happy.” The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, p. 406

“He has an honest heart who yields to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. He confesses his guilt, and feels his need of the mercy and love of God. He has a sincere desire to know the truth, that he may obey it. The good heart is a believing heart, one that has faith in the word of God. Without faith it is impossible to receive the word. “He that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6.

This “is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it.” The Pharisees of Christ’s day closed their eyes lest they should see, and their ears lest they should hear; therefore the truth could not reach their hearts. They were to suffer retribution for their willful ignorance and self-imposed blindness. But Christ taught His disciples that they were to open their minds to instruction, and be ready to believe. He pronounced a blessing upon them because they saw and heard with eyes and ears that believed.” Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 58-59

The strategy of Satan has always been to keep the eyes of the people blinded to truth; they consequently reject their only hope of salvation. May we through prayer and faithfulness stand in the Spirit of God’s word, and also live and proclaim it. May our eyes and ears be continually open to see and hear Him, and may our hearts be blessed and happy in the LORD.

God bless you as you continue in His service.

Tim