“Earth’s crammed with heaven,
And every common bush afire with God,
But only he who sees takes off his shoes;
The rest sit round and pluck blackberries.”
― Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Just beyond our earthly vision there exists the world of the invisible. There are things happening all around us. Things that are of a spiritual essence but no less real because we can’t see them.
“When the servant of the man of God got up early the next morning and went outside, there were troops, horses, and chariots everywhere. “Oh, sir, what will we do now?” the young man cried to Elisha.
16 “Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!”17 Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.”
2 Kings 6:15-17, NLT
Elisha’s servant saw the physical presence of the enemy. It was a fearful sight to see and the servant was afraid. They were surrounded. There was no escape–no way out. All seemed lost.
Elisha’s concern for his servant is touching. He didn’t rebuke or harshly correct the young man. He simply prayed and then it was done. The servant would see what actually existed. You might say that he would really see for the first time.
The Bible is the best way to perceive the imperceptible. It frames and then guides us into what is really real. It is God’s of introducing us to what is really real. The Holy Spirit delights in revealing truth to our incredulous souls.
We have severe limitations as men and women. We have to be instructed in these things. We’re not equipped to perceive the supernatural. It is not a part of our lives. I find when God shows me what is really out there I get a bit freaked out. I need the firm hand of the Father in those times.
And I said: “Woe is me! For I am lost; for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!”
Isaiah 6:5, ESV
Consider the prophet Isaiah when he came in contact with the “real” world. He was completely undone. I can’t imagine acting any differently. I probably would become unglued.
A thought on this subject for you to consider:
“It is not the objective proof of God’s existence that we want but the experience of God’s presence. That is the miracle we are really after, and that is also, I think, the miracle that we really get.”
“The right word spoken at the right time is as beautiful as gold apples in a silver bowl.”
Prov. 25:11, New Century Version
I’ve been thinking about this particular verse for years. I had an older translation and I couldn’t decipher it. It is really good to understand what you have just read.
This verse tells us that there is a certain cadence– a timeliness for just the right word. There is a proper sense, a beautiful art in making the situation perfect. The wisdom comes in a conversation, and suddenly everything makes sense. There is a elegance that’s shared by everyone, and a dignity that the Holy Spirit bestows on our words. We only have to ask Him to bless what we say (or write.)
People speak wrong words as well. Rather then edifying, they tear down. Thirty years ago a Christian girl I was working with would always try to counsel me. Soon, I had enough of it. I walked up to her desk and said, “Becky (name changed), God has given me a word for you!” She looked up at me and smiled. ‘It’s Judges 16:16’, she got out her Bible to read the verse I just had given her. Tears welled up in her eyes.
“With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was tired to death.”
I absolutely crushed her spirit. I had used the Word to assault her like a blunt instrument. Tears welled up in her eyes. It would be a time before I sought her forgiveness. I was hard and brutally used the Bible to purposefully hurt her. I do not suggest that you do this. I will never forget what I did. Oh man, did I ever learn.
That day I would learn the awesome power of my words— for good, or for evil.
Let us also decide that our words will bring life to those who we meet today– wise and encouraging words!
9 After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him.10 As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them.
Acts 1:9-10
Look at the disciples. There were 500 standing with their mouths open tracking Jesus’ ascension. They were witnesses to the Lord’s departure.
Suddenly two men appear, clothed in white. They both seem to be extraordinary–they clearly explained what has just happened.
“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”
We live in an age of history where Jesus sits on the throne. It is not an ordinary time, He has ascended to His Father and now lives “to make intercession for us.” This is no small thing.
Perhaps sometimes we wish to move with the disciples and have their experiences. Perhaps we feel we would be better followers if we could share with them the miracles of the Lord Jesus. Somehow we would be stronger believers.
Let us remember though that we will see His second coming. The angels were quite clear about this– He will come again! Scripture is quite vocal about this.
We will see Him just as He is, and we will be changed into His likeness.
We don’t know exactly when. It is Father’s decision. But we will be there, and the promises are true. This is possibly the greatest privilege we could ever have.
Saint, now it the time to prepare. We know enough scripture to understand the imminent. We are to take active steps to be part of His return to earth and His Kingdom which becomes visible.
“So you, too, must keep watch! For you do not know the day or hour of my return.”
“Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”
Exodus 3:5
Moses was a man who encountered God in a special way. He was called up a mountain to meet with God for an uniqus purpose.
Isaiah, the disciples at the Transfiguration, Paul and John all had face-to-face meetings with the Lord. From these special times came their power for faith and ministry.
The New Testament believer has access to God’s presence unknown to most believers previously.
“Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus.”
Hebrews 10:19
Will it be entertainment or an encounter? I wonder sometimes about my own heart. I know there are times when I settle on something else than a meeting with the Lord God, my Father.
Sometimes I wonder about this. Perhaps our pews need seatbelts and our ushers need to hand out life jackets. Maybe a fire extinguisher and a pastor trained in CPR would be wise. Who knows what will happen if God decides to really show up?
He forgives me, and that I suppose the principal thing. He seeks me out to come into His presence. His blood opens the way.
Broken Believers 