Psalm 119:37: Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in Your way.
Experiencing Jesus in the Psalms
Give me so much life that dead vanity may have no power over me. Enable me to travel so swiftly on the road to heaven that I may not stop long enough within sight of vanity to be fascinated thereby. The prayer indicates our greatest need—more life in our obedience. If we would be full of life as to the things of God we must keep ourselves apart from sin and folly, or the eyes will soon captivate the mind, and, like Samson, who could slay his thousands, we may ourselves be overcome through the lusts which enter by the eye. 1
Living the Transformed Life
For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 1 John 2:16
- Sanctified eyes avoid “the inappropriate stare”… I have made a covenant with my eyes; Why then should I look upon a young woman? – Job 31:1
- Sanctified eyes avoid “seeking the status that comes with wealth”…Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven. – Proverbs 23:5
- Sanctified eyes avoid “the known places of certain temptations”…Then it happened one evening that David arose from his bed and walked on the roof of the king’s house and he saw and he beheld a beautiful woman bathing. – 2 Samuel 11:2
Surrendered eyes become sanctified eyes that seek to do His will.
Praise and Prayer
Thank You, Father, for wanting to protect me from the promotion of evil. Dear Jesus, please wash my eyes and my heart and my mind and my will.
1. PACKER, J. I. (1993). Introduction. In Psalms (p. 196). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books.