In His Name Devotionals
GOD'S VISION
In His Name Devotionals
GOD'S VISION
Robert Burns wished for humankind the power to see ourselves as others see us. What insights that would bring! But there is another perspective on human affairs that is greater—seeing as God sees.
If we could see as God sees, we would know that most human fears never materialize. Most of the things we spend time worrying over are never going to happen. So we waste energy and weaken ourselves for the day’s task. Maybe this is why Jesus said, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”
If we could see as God sees, we would realize that no problem is insurmountable. In financial stress, illness, or family problems, we brood over questions without answers. But the promise of Scripture stands: “God is faithful, and He will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing He will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.”
If we could see as God sees, we would understand that no trial comes without an attached blessing that cannot be seen in advance. In our perplexity, we doubt that anything good can come from heartache. But the half-brother of Jesus put God’s vision this way: “My brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.”
If we could see as God sees, we would know that pain always signals the possibility for growth. Although we yearn for a world free of stress, we know deep inside that such a world would produce calloused and unfeeling people. “Endure trials for the sake of discipline,” wrote the unnamed author of Hebrews. “Discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
Through Jesus, God has given us the certain knowledge that the meaning of all that happens here is found in realities we have never seen. To see through His eyes and to live on the basis of His promises is the meaning of a life of faith.
