Vision Is The Light That Clarifies Life’s Direction.
Joseph had a dream or vision that he would be the ruler and his brethren the servants. “Now Joseph had a dream, and he told it to his brothers; and they hated him even more.” [Genesis 37:5]. Contrary to expectations things seemed to go wrong, although God knew otherwise. There came persecution and trial and yet in the end he triumphed, because he knew his vision was from God and it was real enough to enlighten him in adversity. Wherever Joseph went he rose to a position of authority, even in prison. His vision was materialising in every aspect of his life. Without vision we go nowhere and accomplish little. All great achievements have come as a result of vision.
Dynasties have been founded, cities built, nations conquered, fortunes made, and lives changed. It is said that “Jabez was more honourable than his brothers: And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me. . .” [1 Chronicles 4:8, 9]. He is called more honourable than his brethren because he called on God for a vision. His vision was for God’s hand to be with him and that his borders would stretch and expand. He was not content with the status quo.
Joshua, standing where Moses stood and taking command of Israel, was given a vision by God. Here it is: “be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.” [Joshua 1:6]. Moses had brought them out that he might bring them in, that was his vision. But it was only half fulfilled, which means that vision will outlast the visionary. If there was any uncertainty in Joshua’s mind, it was cleared by that vision which was set before him. He was to possess the land and compartment it for God.
Vision is the Sustainer in the hard times of Life
It keeps the enemy at bay, when they threaten to overrun. Nehemiah was such a man “And I said unto the king, If it please the king, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah, unto the city of my fathers’ sepulchres, that I may build it” [Nehemiah 2:5]. The capital was in decay and the Prophet was heart-broken and longed to see the glory of Israel resurrected and that once great city rebuilt; that was his supreme objective. Nothing would dissuade him, and through the pages of the book as the story unfolds, the Lord’s enemies try all they know to stop the work, but he will not be daunted or hindered. Every excuse, threat and ploy is used against Nehemiah, but he rebuts them all. “And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I AM DOING A GREAT WORK, so that I CANNOT come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?” [Nehemiah 6:3]
He was wise to the devil’s tactics and anything used in an attempt to discourage him was rejected and reassurance given to the workforce to continue without fear. This one grand idea filled his mind and heart – nothing, but nothing could stop him. “Now it came to pass, when the wall was built,” [Nehemiah 7:1]: he finished it.
Ruth a Moabitish damsel having been married and now widowed, is left to return to her home, but Naomi, her mother-in-law returns to Bethlehem. Sensing destiny she pledges herself in a vision statement that has been preached on through the generations: “But Ruth said: ‘Entreat me not to leave you, or to turn back from following after you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you lodge, I will lodge; your people shall be my people, and your god, my god.’ “ [Ruth 1:16]. Hardly a greater act of commitment in the scriptures can be found, she is destined for utter obedience and subservience, and in prospect, loneliness. God turned that pledge into the very oath that gave her all she ever wanted. She was sustained in the commitment and rewarded in her diligence. Her dream was faithfulness and submission to someone else’s foresight, and by that commitment reaped her own destiny by the overshadowing of God.
