[…] Faith has eyes and ears. Faith hears and sees beyond what others perceive. Faith knows how to look beyond the visible and the obvious (i.e. the trials), to see the invisible and unapparent (i.e. the hand, the presence or the help of GOD). This is the reason why the Scriptures exhort us to have ears to hear and eyes to see; meaning, ears that can hear the Voice beyond the voice and eyes that can see the Supreme Being beyond appearances.
Joshua and Caleb had that look. They saw the sons of Anak in the Promise Land; but contrary to the ten other spies, they also saw Someone, who was greater than those ‘giants.’ They saw the One who had brought them out of Egypt; helped them cross the Red Sea; given them manna and quails and quenched their thirst with water from the rock. They chose to trust and bet on this Faithful and Mighty GOD who knew in advance about the Anakites when He promised them Canaan. This GOD could definitely not and would surely not abandon them now!
Prophet Elisha also had that look. One morning, his servant got up and realised that a great armada, sent by the king of Syria to seize his master, surrounded the city. He began to panic, but Elisha told him not to be afraid, because there were more people with them than against them. Then, Elisha prayed, asking GOD to open his servant’s eyes that he may see. The LORD granted his request and Guehazi saw horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha (2Ki. 6:12-17). Was Guehazi physically blind? No. Therefore, GOD did not open his physical eyes, but his eyes of faith.
Joseph equally had eyes to see. When Mrs Potiphar came to seduce him, he saw past all the fringe benefits, which could be his as the lover of the lady of the house. He saw something else. He saw the destiny, which was going to be his once the LORD had fulfilled what He had promised to him in his dreams. If he had yielded to her,
- At worst, Potiphar would have discovered what was going on with consequences that are easy to imagine.
- And at best, Potiphar would have never found out and Joseph would have remained the overseer of his house. A cherished steward, undoubtedly, but a slave nonetheless.
Beyond the test, represented by Mrs Potiphar, was glory or disgrace; the condition of a slave or the position of Prime Minister of the then mightiest kingdom. It is because of the eyes of faith that Joseph was able to trust GOD and pass the temptation test with flying colours.
On the other hand, Esau is the example of those who have eyes and see not. Faced with the pangs of hunger (the test), he only saw his brother’s soup, but Jacob saw the birthright. And he was ready to trade what he had for that pearl of great price and endure hunger a little longer…
Brother, sister, reader, what did you see yesterday? What do you see today? What can't you see anymore? I pray that your eyes and ears will not be mere decoration, but that you will have eyes to see and ears to hear. Have a wonderblessed© week!
Excerpt from my book, Catalysts of Favour, Becoming a Man or a Woman after GOD’s Heart – Chapter I, Faith. Available on Amazon in print and eBook.
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