Recently, I posted the following comment on face book: "We only see appearances; God sees reality." One of the responses I received was a question about what do I think God sees. Here are my thoughts on the matter.
We only see appearances. Often times we endure circumstances that seem impossible or encounter situations that appear insurmountable or receive news that rocks our faith to the very core. As we walk through those days we all too often look only at the obstacle. But even when we have a great faith in God, we still cannot see into the future or know how things are working together. Sometimes it takes years to learn the why of a certain circumstance. And often we never learn....this side of eternity.
Let's look at some examples from scripture where real people encountered real challenges. I want to start with one of my favorites: Joseph. The stories about Joseph are found in the end of Genesis. He is the son of Jacob and grandson of Abraham. His heritage is faith. But Joseph was an arrogant young boy and his brothers had it up to their eyeballs with his pride. Thinking he needed to be brought down a notch or two, they made arrangements to "get rid of him." But God saw Joseph's potential. It appeared that Joseph was about to die, but God saw the reality of Joseph's rescue. It appeared Joseph would spend the rest of his life in prison, but God saw how prison was shaping and humbling Joseph's heart. It appeared that Joseph would rise to power in Egypt to save the Egyptians, but God saw that through Joseph He would save the nation of Israel. I love what Joseph says to his brothers in Genesis 50:20, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Joseph saw reality.
Another favorite of mine would be a man named Mordecai. Mordecai was the cousin of a young orphaned Jewish girl named Esther. You can read about Mordecai in the book of Esther. Mordecai was a man who worshipped and honored God. Esther 3:1-5 tells us that even with his life on the line, Mordecai would not bow to anyone but God. The book may be named after the Queen, but Mordecai is the hero. He listens and obeys God so he can counsel Esther with divine wisdom. It appeared that Esther was in great danger as she was carried off to the king's harem, but God saw the plan to rescue her. It appeared Haman's plot to destroy the Jews would succeed, but God saw the king's love for Esther. It appeared Esther would lose courage, but God saw that through Esther he would save the nation of Israel. I love what Mordecai tells Esther in chapter 4:13-14. He says, “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?” Mordecai saw reality.
We too have the choice to either fix our eyes on the obstacle or see Reality. In John 14:6 Jesus declares, "I am the way, the truth, and the light." Our obstacles remain obstacles unless they are viewed in the light of God's word. Ephesians 2:20 states that Jesus is the chief cornerstone. Nothing makes sense unless it is lined up with God's word. So whatever you are facing, whether big or small, I encourage you to look past your circumstance into the word of God. What does He see? What does God say? Line up your thoughts and actions with the plumb line of Jesus Christ and He will give you eyes to see reality.
