Lessons from Hymns: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

As I was preparing to write this devotional, I listened to “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus” a few times. And though I’ve heard it about a million times, this time it hit me differently. I stopped writing, tears in my eyes, and began worshipping God there at my desk. I heard God inviting me to do a simple thing in a complicated time. He said, “Jonah, look at me.”

I want to invite you to join me in this simple act. Turn your eyes away from the world and turn your eyes upon Jesus. Nothing but Christ will give you hope, comfort, joy, or peace. There is nothing that shines brighter and longer than Jesus. There are so many things fighting for our attention. Jesus is better than all of them.

Turn your eyes away from politics
Turn your eyes away from entertainment
Turn your eyes away from material possessions
Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Turn your eyes away from greed
Turn your eyes away from lust
Turn your eyes away from hatred
Turn your eyes upon Jesus

When it’s hard to forgive others
When it’s hard to forgive yourself
When it’s hard to get out of bed in the morning
Turn your eyes upon Jesus

When you feel hopeless
When you feel anxious
When you feel alone
Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace