Only a Look
Isaiah 45: 22/25
“Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else.” What a great promise is revealed to those who look, who dare look and by looking can be saved.
Years ago a song was written by Thomas Whitfield, the lyrics go something like this. “Only a look at Jesus O souls bowed down with care. He has promised to defend you and will all your burdens bear.”
David said, “I have never seen the righteous forsaken, nor His seed begging bread.” The apostle Paul stated, “My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus.” Jesus said, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. “
I would ask you tonight at the beginning of this message, who are you looking to? Where do you place your hope, and what are you expecting out of life.
The song writer continued by saying, “Just one look can move a mountain, just one look turns nights to day. One look at Jesus gives us eternal life to win.” The things that we look to either brings blessings or curses, so let out focus on blessings.
The weeping prophet Jeremiah stated, “What mine eyes beheld affected my heart, because of the daughters of Zion.” We are affected by the things that we see. This is why we must look to Jesus who is the source of all life.
In the book of Genesis chapter thirteen, God spoke to Abraham saying, “Lift up your eyes and look to the north, the south, the east and the west, for all the land which you can see I will give it, and to thy seed forever.”
God told Abraham to walk through the land in the length of it and the breadth of it; for I will give it unto you. He took his tent down and began to walk toward the land of Hebron, and there built an altar unto the Lord as a memorial of what God had given him.
In Matthew gospel chapter eleven, John the Baptist is now in prison and he hears about the works of Christ, he sends two of his disciples to ask Jesus if he was the one that should come, or should they look for another?
Jesus answered and said unto them, “Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see; the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the poor have the gospel preached to them.”
It only takes a look; one look will bring salvation, eternal life to win. When we see Jesus face to face, when we see the one who saved us by His grace, it will be glorious, it’ll be victorious. “For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face.”
Tonight I can truly say, “Jesus you’re the center of my joy, all that’s good and perfect comes from you. You’re the heart of my contentment hope for all I do. Jesus you’re the center of my joy.”
When I lose my direction, you’re the compass that leads my way; you’re the light in darkness and the fire that keep me warm. In sadness you are the laughter that shadows all my fears. When I’m all alone your hand is there to hold on to. It only takes one look, and that look brings courage, comfort and consolation.
John the Revelator while on Patmos was weeping because no man was found worthy to open and the read the book. And one of the elders said to John, weep not; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judea, the Root and the offspring of David, hath prevailed to open the book and to open the seven seals thereof.
And He came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, and they sung a new song, saying, “Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seas thereof; for you were slain and have redeemed up to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nations.”
Take a moment and think of what John and the other apostle saw, it was only a look. God had promised to defend, direct, and deliver them from the devourer and give them eternal life.
He really is the center of our joy; He is why we find pleasure in the simple things if life. He is the music in the meadows and the streams. He is the voices of the children, the family and home. When we look at Jesus we find the source and finisher of our highest dreams, and hope for all we do.
For just a moment, let us a look at the suffering servant. The prophet Isaiah asks the question, who hath believed our report? And then begins to talk about the tender plant coming out of dry ground, having neither form nor comeliness; and when you see him, there is no beauty that you should desire him.
The picture painted in chapter fifty-three is not a pretty sight to behold. This one that we are to look upon was despised and rejected of men. He was wounded for our transgressions and was bruised for our iniquities, and with his stripes we are healed.
He was oppressed, and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth. He was brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, and He opened not his mouth.
He was taken from prison to the judgment halls and for the transgressions of the people was stricken, and He opened not mouth. His body was presented as an offering for the sins of mankind that justice could be accomplished in the heavenly place.
Not a pretty sight, yet looking to this one in faith will bring deliverance to those who are in bondage setting the captive free. In looking to the suffering servant you fill find the grace of God that has appeared to all men. Only one look will bring salvation, eternal life to live.
When we look to the Savior we understand that the entrance of His words gives light; it gives understanding unto the simple. And we begin to long for His commandments, and ask Him to look upon us and be merciful unto us as He was to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
Great peace have they which love thy law; and nothing shall offend them. Can we say as those in days gone by, “Lord, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments? My soul hath kept thy testimonies; and I love them exceedingly.
My lips shall utter praise, my tongue shall speak of thy word; I have longed for this salvation O Lord; and thy law is my delight. Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me. I have gone astray like a lost sheep; yet my desire is to serve and praise thee.”
God said, “Look unto me and be saved, for I am God and there is none else.” Only a look will bring salvation, eternal life to win.
