“Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth, shall you not know it?” Isaiah 43:19
Dear Ones:
We have established in past devotionals that “great things” according to God have their basis and essence IN God. John the Baptist was a “great” man. He was so because of the Holy Spirit that filled him, led, and strengthened him. His greatness was simply the manifestation of the “greatness” of God, revealed in and through the heart of a man who truly trusted in God. Jesus spoke of a Roman centurion who had “great faith.” Why was his faith “great?” First, it was because it was a gift of God, thus, the quality of it was divine, having come from God. Secondly, in comparison with lesser, or “little” faith, it was all-encompassing. The centurion’s faith was a steadfast and complete allegiance to Christ’s authority. The primary point with regard to grasping that which is truly “great,” is to see the source and essence of it.
At least two times in the life of Elisha, he saw, “chariots and horses of fire” from heaven. One of those times was when Elijah was taken up into heaven by the chariot and horses of fire. The second occurred in or near Dothan, when the city was surrounded by enemy soldiers, intent on taking Elisha captive. Elisha prayed to God that He would open his servant’s eyes to see that which was spiritually true of their situation. The Lord answered Elisha’s prayer, and the servant saw that, “…the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” (2 Kings 6:17) Was this a “great” event? Yes, because the essence and revelation of it was of God. It is necessary to underline the fact that God gave to his servants a “vision” of spiritual truth, or reality. The result was that FAITH laid hold upon God according to it, and the result was very tangible, accomplishing God’s purpose. What does this have to do with us, and our “expectation” of great things?
It is a fact that Peter became a faithful servant of God, a man transformed by the Spirit, by something “great.” We discover it when Jesus asks His disciples: “Whom do men say that I the Son of Man am?” (Matt. 16:13) They give their various answers. But then, the Lord Jesus asks them: “But whom say YOU that I am?” (v.15) It is then that Peter declares: “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (v.16) This is a “great” profession of faith. What is the reason for it? Jesus answers the question: “…flesh and blood has not revealed it to you, but My Father which is in heaven.” (v.17) The “greatness” of the profession was the result of the “greatness” of the revelation.
We find that the Apostle Paul’ experience is similar, not only with regard to the gospel which He received from God, and not man, but particularly with regard to Christ’s personal revelation of Himself to the apostle’s heart. Paul “saw” the Lord on the road to Damascus. But later, he would declare that it pleased God, “…to reveal His Son IN me.” (Gal. 1:16) Herein is the key to Paul’s greatness, the revelation of spiritual reality to Paul by the God who IS great. The working of God in the heart of Paul was truly a “great” thing, as it was from heaven. Paul became “great,” as an apostle, because of the great working of God, by His Spirit. Is it not the same for us? And how “great” is our vision of God, and His purpose and will, so that faith will lay hold upon Him for the full realization of that will and purpose in and through us?
Dear Father, Open our eyes as you did for the servant of Elisha, to see true spiritual reality, and who You are. Give us to understand that You not only reveal Yourself to us, bringing us to a knowledge of the truth, but also, you reveal Christ IN us by the Spirit. Strengthen our hearts to believe Thee fully. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad