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Jesus, Lover of My Soul ~ Hymn 440

By: Alan Harvey

Posted: March 11, 2020

Category: Daily Devotional

Devotional Thoughts Based on the Glory to God Hymnal

Isaiah 42:16

“I will lead the blind by a road they do not know, by paths they have not known I will guide them. I will turn the darkness before them into light, the rough places into level ground. These are the things I will do, and I will not forsake them.”

My experiences with totally blind people has been rather minimal. I know that some rely on a cane to navigate their way as they move it from left to right in front of them. I know some use seeing eye dogs to help them get around. I know that they rely on the familiar knowing how many steps and in which direction they should move to avoid obstacles or stumbling blocks.

“Thou O Christ, art all I want; more than all in thee I find.
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint, heal the sick, and lead the blind.
Just and holy is thy name; I am all unrighteousness.
False and full of sin I am; thou art full of truth and grace.”

Verse 3 Jesus, Lover of My Soul

In today’s familiar hymn we read that Christ is the One to lead the blind and in the scripture the prophet Isaiah stated that God will lead them down an unfamiliar road and on pathways they have not traveled He will guide them. Their misfortune of being blind is about to change as Isaiah assures them that their darkness will turn into light. They will have the fortune of being given sight or having their vision restored. In addition to their darkness being turned into light, God is smoothing the way for them as He promises to turn the rough places into level ground, No more potholes! No more unevenness on the path.

Their affliction may have lead them to believe or feel that God had forsaken them, but God has not! God will lead them and will give or restore to them their sight. We may shortchange this scripture if we interpret it only in terms of physical blindness. Spiritual blindness can be as challenging or more so than the physical affliction. Regardless of the nature of our blindness, God will not forsake us. Thanks be to God!

Prayer

O God, thank You for the precious gift of sight. We pray for brothers and sisters whose vision is impaired and those who are blind. Reassure them that You are with them and You will not forsake them, In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.