“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” 1 Corinthians2:12
Dear Ones:
In the book of Proverbs, we read: “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” (29:18) What is this “vision” of which Scripture speaks? It is that true perception of the character and nature of God as revealed by the written word of God. In the book of 1 Samuel, the spiritual state of the people, and nation, was at a very low ebb. The author writes: “And the word of the Lord was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision.” (3:1) Why is the matter of a “vision” so very important? The vision that God gives to a people or person is a basis for faith in God. The vision, as communicated in the “word of the Lord,” reveals the truth of God and His ways, in such a manner, that one can truly believe God. It was during this period of infrequent visions, that God intervened to again appear in Shiloh, to Samuel, “…by the word of the Lord.” (3:21) Herein is the importance of a vision, without which faith cannot believe God for His intervention, and the revelation in and through the life.
During the Reformation in Europe during the 16th century, God raised up a number of men from different nations, who very similarly became great students of the Word of God. Their pursuit of the knowledge of God, as revealed in the Scriptures, enabled them to believe God for the advancement of His kingdom, in the face of great opposition. God would use their faith to change the world. Why was the correct knowledge of the Scriptures so vital? A true vision of God, and Christ’s work, is essential if there would be true communion with God.
How are we to acquire a true, clear vision of God, His purposes, ways, and provision in Christ? The great pursuit begins with God alone. In John’s gospel, in speaking of the new birth, John wrote: “…which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (1:13) In this pursuit of God, He brings us immediately to our total incapacity to KNOW Him, and His ways, unless there is His intervention. Man is born in sin, dead to God, without God and hope in this world. Unless God draw him, he cannot come. Unless God give him “power” to repent and believe, he cannot be saved. So, how can man KNOW God? The conquest begins with a knowledge of his man’s own helplessness, but also of the mercy and grace of God, willing and waiting to intervene in the life. In the Apostle Paul’s experience, we find that the Lord, who knew him perfectly, revealed Himself to him on the road to Damascus, by a vision. Later, in writing to the Galatians, Paul would relate that God, “…revealed Himself in me.” From beginning to end, in the life of the Apostle, the principle of revelation of the things of God, by the Spirit, was key to having a vision…a true grasp of God and His ways.
The importance of the word of God, in order to have a true vision, cannot be over-emphasized. Paul wrote to the Romans, with regard to the Gospel, “…and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” (10:14) The objective knowledge of the truth is essential if there is to be true faith. The Spirit of God takes the truth, and “reveals the things freely given to us of God.” It is also the Spirit which strengthens us to believe God for what He reveals to the heart. Thus, God gives the vision in truth by the Spirit, enabling the believer to believe and know Him.
Dear Father, Our eyes are only upon Thee, trusting Thee for a true vision of Thyself, Thy Son, and His work. Open our eyes, and strengthen our hearts to believe Thee fully. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad