A Different Vision

Friday, July 24

Matthew 19:26 (NKJV)

“But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Devotion

God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and His ways are higher than our own. In fact, they are so high that He compares it to the distance between the heavens and the earth.

Part of being God is that He sits upon the circumference of the earth and can see far and wide. He is all-knowing and weighs the hearts of man. He knows each person’s purpose and the timing when a life will intertwine with another’s because He created them to fit into His perfect plan. So the question is, ‘Who are we trusting in – the Lord or our own ability to make things work?’ or ‘What are we trusting in – our plans or His?’

Abraham, the one God called ‘the father of nations’, was facing a big impossibility. He wanted children, but he and his wife were very much past the child-bearing years. On the other hand, God was looking for a faithful man, one He could cut a covenant with that would last for generations upon generations. God was looking for a man who wanted an impossibility. Abraham looked to a God who could do it.

In Isaiah 41:8, God spoke of Abraham in this manner, ‘Abraham, my friend’ or translated ‘Abraham who loved me.’ Abraham was more than a friend, more than an acquaintance; he was a companion to God. The two walked under the stars and spoke about Abraham’s future.

In the natural, Abraham could have looked at his circumstances and given up. But the Bible tells us, “He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was able to perform.” (Romans 4:20,21) How could Abraham be so strong in faith? He knew (personally experienced) the One he believed in. He became familiar with God’s character and trusted what He said He would make come to pass.

Romans 10:17 tells us, “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” The Word of God is Jesus. (John 1:14) Reading and studying the Bible is not merely reading a book. It is fellowshipping with the Author and getting to know Him through His Word. The Word will walk with us through every valley and give us wisdom for every situation. We need to be ‘present’ with Him.

If situations we face look like impossibilities, perhaps we need a different vision. Perhaps we need to take a walk with the Word.

Today's Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,

Create in me a new vision. One that allows You to do what You want done in my life. Please give me Your eyesight, and cause me to see through Your eyes the people I relate to and the circumstances I face. Forgive me for being shortsighted and limiting the ‘possibilities’ of what You can do in me and through me. I belong to You; I willingly step out of the way and let You be God in my life. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Apply It Today

Pray and ask God to identify one thing in your life that He wants to remove the limitations from and expand your vision. It could be a relationship with a family member, employment, your calling, etc. In humility and surrender, partner with the Holy Spirit and allow Him to lead you into all the truth, expand your faith, and open doors and opportunities that you could not do on your own.

Resources

• God’s vision for your life is greater than what you can see right now. Watch this short clip, “Focus on God’s Vision,” and be encouraged to trust His plans and follow His direction.

• Read Genesis 12–22 and reflect on how Abraham’s relationship with God shaped his faith.