I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye.

Psalm 32:8 NKJV

When I was a child, my mother had a way of communicating with me without speaking a word!  You may be familiar with— the look!  You know the glance says, “Girl, you better sit down now!’’  or “Just wait ‘til I get you home!”

My mother had mastered the art of “eye language.”   With a single glance, she’d say, “Don’t play with me!”  or “Get over here right now!” When I sat at the dinner table, staring defiantly at the Brussels sprouts she’d piled on my plate, a simple glance at the plate and then back at me said, “You’re not getting up until you eat every one of them!”  With one glance, she said, “You’re doing a great job!  I’m so proud of you!” or “Yes, you’re on the right track!” or “No need to be afraid; I’m here!”  With one glance, she simply said, “I love you!”

Understanding my mother’s “eye language” was easy because of our close, intimate relationship. She knew me; I knew her. She watched over me, kept her eyes on me, and I learned to look to her for guidance, assurance, and even correction. I studied her ways, and I learned to keep my eyes on her. I knew because she loved me,  she wouldn’t steer me wrong. She only wanted what was best for me. I trusted her, even when she spoke “eye language.”

I think of that “eye language” when I read David’s words in Psalm 32:8; they bring such assurance.  God has promised to lead, direct, and counsel me with His eye.  What an amazing demonstration of loving care!  I’m never out of His sight! I don’t have to struggle with the way God desires me to take or question if I’m headed in the right direction—even when the way seems hard.  He loves me and knows what’s best for me.  I can trust Him to steer me in the right direction, even without speaking a word.

Interestingly, the Lord didn’t say, “I will guide you with My Voice,” though He most certainly does that. We read in Isaiah 30:21, “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.”  He wants us to know the sound of His voice.  Nor does He say, “I will guide you by the hand,” even though He also does that. That was the psalmist’s assurance when he wrote, “Nevertheless, I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand” (Psalm 73:23).

My God says, “I will guide you with My eye!”  He knows the path; He knows the way He desires you and me to take.  A way designed to forge endurance and strength in us as we learn to place our confidence in Him. A way that deepens our faith and reliance on Him. A way that allows us to know Him in deeper, more intimate ways. That way may lead us into a wilderness, but even the wilderness serves God’s purpose in our maturity.   It’s where God speaks comfort to us (Hosea 2:14).  His way is truth. His way is righteous, and His path drips with abundance (Psalm 65:11). His way allows us to discover who we truly are in Him and prepares us for all He has for us. It is the way that brings Him glory.

What a wonderful promise! His eye is on us to ensure we don’t take a wrong turn or miss what He has for us, empowering us to walk out purpose and destiny. But there is a key to being led in this way: we must choose to be led. We must intentionally keep our eyes on Him.  To be led by His eye, we must stay close! We must be willing to learn God’s “eye language” by cultivating our relationship with Him and staying close. We must quickly recognize when the enemy of our souls is luring us, distracting us, attempting to cause our focus to shift. We must be willing to learn His ways, to know Him so we can read His glances.  We must be determined to keep our eyes on the One who knows the path.

God will do His part—He is always faithful to keep His promises. We must choose to posture ourselves to see eye to eye! When we remain close and attentive, gazing steadfastly into His face, we just know by the glance. We know if we’re walking in our “ordered steps” or if we’ve veered a bit off course. And if we have, by His grace, we make the adjustments and keep moving—always looking in His glorious face.

I want to remain so close to the God Who loves me; I want to stay in His face, eye to eye, knowing He is leading me. He knows the way I take, and when I’ve been proven, I will come forth as pure gold (Job 23:10).

Learn God’s “eye language” and keep your eyes on Him!