When I was a child, I was just as short-sighted as I am now, but for a little while, I didn’t know it. I had no framework or reference to judge visual ability, and so I saw the world through rather blurry vision. I didn’t know it was blurry, because that was the only world I’d ever known. My short-sightedness only really came to light when I went to school and was supposed to copy things down from the blackboard, but couldn’t see properly to do so. The teacher noticed this, referred me to an optician and the problem was identified. The day I got my first pair of glasses, it was almost like seeing the world in colour for the first time. Everything was sharp, crisp, defined, clear. I could see details that had previously been obscure. I could read from the blackboard, see what was on television, read number plates at a distance and so on – all things which everyone with normal vision takes for granted. It’s only when you don’t have normal vision that, in some ways, you realise that what you see is more subjective than you might otherwise assume.
Now that I wear glasses, I am still at risk of not seeing properly, usually when I allow the lenses to become dirty. A thumbprint can obscure my vision; grease, dirt, tears and other things can easily obscure what I see. I need now to ensure I have clean lenses to allow me to see clearly.
We often need God’s help to see clearly. We can focus exclusively on evil, becoming fearful and paranoid. David reminds us that we do not need to fear, fret or worry, since God is in control. He does not shirk hard questions about evil (how evil seems to flourish and the righteous suffer), but affirms God’s provision and protection (see Ps 37:18, 20). He gives personal testimony of all he has seen God do (and all he has seen God not do – see Ps 37:25). He also reminds us that a long-term perspective is needed if we are to make sense of the baffling aspects of life and hold on to God in times of trial and trouble. Paul echoes this in 2 Cor 4:8-9, 14, 16-18. Our hope is not simply for this life (1 Cor 15:19). As Phil Wickham sings,
‘When my heart is torn asunder
And my world just falls apart,
Lord, You put me back together,
And lift me up to where You are.
There is hope beyond the suffering,
Joy beyond the tears,
Peace in every tragedy,
Love that conquers fear.
I have found redemption in the blood of Christ,
My body might be dying, but I’ll always be alive.
You have turned mourning to dancing,
You have covered me with grace.
The struggle here may last a moment,
But life with You will last always.’ (‘When My Heart Is Torn Asunder’, Phil Wickham)