Spiritual Vision
(4) With God Nothing is Impossible - Luke 1:26-38
“For nothing will be impossible with God.” - Luke 1:37
Dear Reader,
“The Lord bless you, and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you,
And be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.”
Our Need for Spiritual Vision
There is a story in the Old Testament (2nd Kings 6:8-23) that involves the Prophet Elisha and his attendant that highlights our need for spiritual vision. Elisha finds himself in the city of Dothan during the divided Kingdom of Israel, surrounded by a large Aramean army that is set on capturing him. Elisha’s servant is fearful of the large army with horses and chariots surrounding them. Here is part of the story:
“Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16 So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” - 2nd Kings 6:15-17.
Next time you find yourself surrounded whether its surrounded by anxiety, deceit, discouragement, doubt, fear, gossip, slander, worry, or whatever other circumstance, ask God to help you see Him in your circumstance.
Elisha’s servant saw an army of men while Elisha saw God’s invisible army, a more powerful heavenly army that was far greater that would protect them. The Psalmist states, “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them” (Psalm 34:7) and John reminds us believers in Christ, “greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world” (1st John 4:4).
The Angel Gabriel gives Mary a New Vision.
Continuing with my Gospel of Luke series, in this post, I will look at Luke 1:28-37. If we all had the spiritual vision like the Prophets, Apostles, or the Angels I wonder what our lives might be like? Have you wondered like me, what can Angels see that we cannot? Angels have the benefit of seeing God’s plans unfold and His wisdom, skill, and ability in extending the plan of salvation to mankind. From my previous post, we learned that Angel Gabriel, means “mighty”, mighty in appearance and mighty in Vision.
“That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard,
and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” - 1st Corinthians 2:9
Lesson (4), Luke 1:26-38
Luke 1:26-38
26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
29 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. 30 Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. 32 He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. 33 And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” 34 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”
35 And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For with God nothing will be impossible.” 38 Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Barren and Impossible Things.
For Mary, her visit with the Angel Gabriel, she pondered the impossible, in summary she said to the Angel Gabriel, “tell me how this is going to happen again”? Her cousin Elizabeth was old and barren and God filled a barren womb with life. Through the Holy Spirit, Mary would carry the Savior into the world. The predestined plan of Christ’s arrival was foretold since the fall of mankind. God foretold the lineage, the tribe, location and way the Savior would come hundreds of years in advance. Here are some scripture passages that foretold the arrival of Jesus.
“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.” - Isaiah 7:14
“For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.” - Isaiah 9:6
“Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, And a branch from his roots will bear fruit.” - Isaiah 11:1
“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago,
From the days of eternity.” - Micah 5:2
Application:
Listen to Surrounded (Fight my Battles) by Michael W. Smith, how do the lyrics connect with our need for spiritual vision?
What do these scripture have to say about the eyes of the Lord? (Genesis 6:8, Proverbs 5:21, Proverbs 15:3, Psalm 34:15, Psalm 66:7, 1st Peter 3:12).
Why do you think faith is necessary to please God? “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” - Hebrews 11:6
What do these verses indicate about our own spiritual vision for the Lord? (Proverbs 3:7, Proverbs 21:2, Psalm 119:18, Psalm 121:1, Psalm 123:2, Ephesians 1:15-23).
Why is spiritual vision necessary for people and nations? “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, But happy is he who keeps the law” - Proverbs 29:18. See also Luke 6:39, 2nd Corinthians 4:4.
How has reading and studying the bible helped your spiritual vision?
Please leave a comment regarding this post or series and you can email me at thesaltandlightdaily@gmail.com for any prayer requests.
References:
Blessing: Numbers 6:24-26
One of many things I have been exploring in the Bible recently is how (and what) Abraham learned about righteousness and mercy in the Genesis stories of his family. I want to learn it also. My problem has been finding a couple of other people willing to sit down and talk about it.
I love that story! I can see it when I read it and just imagine the face of his servant as his eyes take it all in. I wonder would my face be as shocked? I know it would even though I don’t want it to be. I want to know that truth in my core but if I were to suddenly see a heavenly rescue I would have a shocked face I’m sure.