You have probably heard the expression “puppy dog eyes”. My sausage dog Carrie is an expert at that expression! It is a look that combines love and need in equal parts. My dachshund will sit and stare at me beseechingly while I am eating something or when she feels I have been at the computer too long.
She doesn’t have to make a sound or move, just those eyes staring at me adoringly are so hard to resist. She is, at once, peaceful and expectant. I know what she wants without her making a sound – dog eyebrows can be incredibly expressive!
And invariably I give in and share my food, or put aside my work and take her for a walk.
I thought of that today when I read Psalm 123:2 : “Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their masters, as the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord our God, until He has mercy on us.”
Just as my dog stares adoringly at me, knowing that every good thing she gets comes from my hand – like pats, food, treats, walks and scratches – so, when we invite God to be our Master and Saviour, we realise everything good in life is from Him, and we can look to Him to meet our every need.
Keeping our gaze fixed on Him is not an act of nagging – although it very well may be in the case of Carrie! – but it is an act of trust and adoration.
You might ask, how do I keep my eyes fixed on an invisible God? Well, I’m talking about the eyes of our heart, so we do it spiritually – by reading the Bible, God’s Word, and praying (talking to Him). By constantly reminding ourselves that we are dependent on God, that He is our loving Dad and that He is the Giver of all good gifts. That helps us to remain content as we petition God to meet our needs, and yet hopeful and expectant of the answers.
Our Master knows what we want (and whether it is good for us) – much more so even than I am able to guess my dog’s needs – and the Bible promises that He is the rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (Hebrews 11:6)