Open Our Eyes God

Reverent Fear, Humble Hearts, and the Love that Truly Sees

Scripture Reading: Luke 10:17-21 (NIV)

Key Verse:

“I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.” — Luke 10:21 (NIV)

In a busy food court, a little boy squealed with delight as he watched a puppy lick crumbs from the floor, yet the adults around him stayed absorbed in conversation and never noticed what fascinated him. That simple picture mirrors a deeper spiritual reality: it is often the humble and attentive, rather than the preoccupied and self-assured, who truly see what God is doing.

When Jesus’ followers returned from a powerful preaching mission, rejoicing that even demons submitted in His name, He responded in prayerful praise to the Father. Jesus rejoiced that the Father chose to reveal kingdom truths not to the “wise and learned” but to “little children”—those of low status who came with open, needy hearts.

In this context, “little children” describes posture, not age. Ordinary sinners, tax collectors, and everyday people were the ones who responded to Jesus, while religious leaders, confident in their own understanding, largely turned away. Reverent fear—humble awe before God—prepared these “little ones” to receive what the proud could not see.

Jesus also showed that those who draw near and ask, receive more understanding. When the disciples were puzzled by His parables, they came to Him privately, and He gladly explained the meaning of the kingdom to them. It was not superior intellect but a dependent, teachable spirit that opened the door to deeper revelation.

The tragedy for many religious leaders in Jesus’ day was not a lack of evidence but a lack of willingness; they did not really want to know who Jesus was. In the same way, believers today can be so wrapped up in the world’s chatter, opinions, and distractions that they miss the quiet ways God is speaking and working around them. Like the parable of the rich fool in Luke 12 shows, spiritual wisdom comes from seeking God’s kingdom rather than worldly validation.

The little boy in the food court delighted in something simple his parents never saw. In a similar way, those who approach God with reverent fear and sincere love learn to notice His presence in Scripture, in prayer, and in everyday life. The heart-cry of the humble becomes: “Lord, do not let me be so distracted or proud that I miss what You want to show me about Yourself.” This kind of spiritual insight into God’s work transforms how we live, as explored in lessons from John 2:25.

Key Takeaways

• Reverent fear of God keeps believers humble, childlike, and ready to receive what He chooses to reveal.
• God often reveals kingdom truths to those who seem small in the world’s eyes but come with open, dependent hearts.
• The disciples grew in understanding because they drew close to Jesus and asked Him to explain what they did not grasp.
• Spiritual blindness usually springs from unwilling hearts, not from a lack of information or signs.
• Everyday moments can become windows into God’s presence for those who watch with awe, humility, and love.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,
You are the Lord of heaven and earth, worthy of deepest reverence and highest praise. Teach my heart to fear You rightly—to bow low before Your holiness—and to love You fully with all that I am. Guard me from pride, distraction, and the noise that dulls my spiritual hearing. Give me the humble, childlike heart that You delight to teach, and open my eyes to see Your hand at work in Scripture, in worship, and in the ordinary moments of this day. Help me not to miss what You want to show me about Yourself, and lead me to respond with obedience, trust, and worship. In Jesus’ name, amen.

All-Day Reflection Prayer

“Lord, open my eyes in holy fear and steadfast love—keep me humble, attentive, and ready to see whatever You want to show me today.”