“Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” Hebrews 11:3
Dear Ones:
How is it possible to “make” spiritual reality, the very experience of the power of Christ by the Spirit, our own? How does the truth, the eternal truth revealed in the commandments and promises of God, become a reality in our experience? Or as one writer put it, “…become me.” The answer resides in basically one fundamental principle, which is the key that unlocks the door to the knowledge of God, for it is God’s way, a way that pleases God. It is the fundamental exercise of true faith.
When Paul wrote his second letter to the Corinthians, he declared to them: “…For we walk by faith, not by sight.” (5:7) Isaiah, in writing of the Spirit of the Lord which was to “rest” upon the Lord Jesus, the Branch, declares: “…And shall make Him of quick understanding in he fear of the Lord: and he shall NOT judge after the sight of His eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of His ears.” (Is. 11:3) Why does he write this? First of all, we are to understand that we are so finitely limited in our perception of that which is visible, that our judgement of the invisible, is flawed. We don’t grasp the truth of the invisible because we rely on what we “see,” or perceive, with our eyes. The second reason is that the God of the visible, and invisible, is the only One who can reveal to us the truth of that which IS invisible. For example, Paul wrote: “…the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made His eternal power and Godhead.” (Romans 1:20) How does this knowledge of God, and His dealings with us, translate into our experience? Paul writes on this subject: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love Him.” (1 Cor. 2:9) If this is not enough to motivate us to seek the eternal God, then let us consider this: “Now unto Him that is able to DO exceeding abundantly above ALL that we ask or think, according to the power that works IN US.” (Ephesians 3:20) What then is the key that unlocks the door to the reality of knowing Christ, and the power of His resurrection? It is faith, a faith based solely on the truth as it is in Christ, and on the Person of Christ as the absolute truth.
In God’s dealings with Abraham, when Abraham was ninety-nine years old, He gave him a promise of the invisible, but that which was founded on the covenant based committal of God to faithfully, and perfectly, do what He declared. Abraham was promised that he would become “…a father of many nations,” exceeding fruitful, the father of a son of promise, with whom and his descendants, God would establish His covenant. All was “invisible,” yet the word of God, and the faithful, TRUE character of God, would be the bedrock of Abraham’s trust.
When Peter was commanded by Christ to get out of the boat, and walk on the water to Him, Peter had but two things: the word of Christ to “come,” and the “faithfulness of Christ” to provide for its accomplishment. Peter surrendered to the command, and for a while believed. His experience of the invisible power of God was dependent upon his faith in the faithfulness of God, according to His word.
Dear Father, give us grace this day to be committed to believing Thee, of “seeing Thee who art invisible.” Give us to SEE with the eyes of our hearts and spirits, to lay hold upon Thee according to the truth of Thy word, and to follow Christ. Enable us to walk, not by sight, but by faith, by the Spirit. Then we shall truly see in the physical world Your leading, blessing, and the advancement of Your kingdom for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad