God’s Perspective!

Our second son lives in San Diego, USA.  While visiting San Diego for the first time, I thought I would see a flat terrain like Chennai since it is on the Pacific coast.  But on the contrary, it was full of hills, valleys, and ups and downs.  

When we go on walks, we can see beautiful scenes of God's creation.  There were valleys, hills, and a lake far away; what you saw depended on where you stood!  It brought to mind a quote from C. S. Lewis: 'What you see and what you hear depends a great deal on where you are standing,' and that quote made absolute sense to me.  In life, what you see depends on where you stand and with whom you are standing.  Your association also matters! 

"Everyone did what was right in his own eyes." This refers to the spiritual state at the time of the Judges.  The people genuinely felt that they did what was right, but they measured it by their standards of morality and ethics.  When the bribe comes to the desk, people think it is okay since they did not ask for it or receive it directly.  While having a wrong relationship with another married person, people believe it is okay since both are not planning to abandon their families!  When cooking up accounts or inflating timesheets, people think it is okay since that small amount would not make a dent for the employer.  This is like the modern 'follow-your-heart' or 'let-your-heart-be-your-guide' thinking.   It seemed right to the eyes of Nadab and Abihu (Num.3:4) to bring profane fire before the Lord, but God said it was wrong.  It seemed right to the eyes of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5) to tell a lie, but God said it was wrong.  Holiness is doing what is right in the eyes of God!  "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death" (Proverbs 14:12).  When a man follows his instincts, it leads to ruin.  We must stand with the Lord, our Rock, and Redeemer, and evaluate the situation to get the Lord's perspective.  Dwell on His Word day and night, and only then can we see it as God sees it! 

My friend, be careful where you stand and with whom you stand.  Give yourself to knowing God's Word.  Forsake shallow Bible reading and shallow prayers.  Meditate upon the Word continuously.  Proper perspective comes only from the Word illuminated by the Spirit.   Do not be deceived; we all have to face judgment one day and give an account of everything we said or did!

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