Morning Devotionals

by Don Emmitte

 

April 9th, 2008

 

"Clear Vision"

If people can't see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves; but when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed. (Proverbs 29:18 The Message).

Our reading today is most familiar in the King James Version as it says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” I like the translation of our reading today a little better. It is always easier to be able to go forward in God's will if we can see what God is doing. Of course, that's often the antithesis to faith, but it is never-the-less true.

I am reminded of this truth because of a recent experience in our family. Logan, my grandson, went to the ophthalmologist last week, and while his vision was not as bad as mine was at his age, he still needed prescription eye wear. Sunday we saw him with his new glasses for the first time. I must say he looks good in them, though the real issue is not how his appearance looks, but how he “looks.” He can see much better with them than without.

The more I think about that, the more I am convinced that the reason we often don't see what God is doing is simply because we're not looking in the right places. It’s always easy to see God working through miraculous events and deliverances, but can you see him working in your daily life? Let me remind you that the Proverbs say that when you can't see his action, you “stumble all over yourself.” So it must be pretty important to see God at work. Let me make a few suggestions.

1.      First, look for those small things in life. The kind words and actions of others are a gift of God. They are an evidence of him working in our world. The Scripture says that every good and perfect thing comes from Him (James 1:7). And, by the way, these are things received as well as things given.

2.      Second, listen for the voice of God within your spirit. That comes from being in contact with God through bible study and prayer. Even this small exercise in reading this devotional is a means of contact from God. However, you will see more when you stretch yourself to more study and prayer.

3.      Third, watch for the hand of God in your circumstances, both past and present. I have found it true that when I am in the midst of a crisis, looking back to the faithfulness of God in past experiences always gives me strength for the present.