{"id":4459,"date":"2019-02-28T08:15:28","date_gmt":"2019-02-28T14:15:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/nafwb.org\/?p=4459"},"modified":"2019-02-28T08:15:28","modified_gmt":"2019-02-28T14:15:28","slug":"believing-is-seeing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nafwb.org\/site\/believing-is-seeing\/","title":{"rendered":"Believing is Seeing"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Randy Sawyer<\/strong><\/p>\n

We\u2019ve all heard the adage, \u201cSeeing is believing,\u201d and recognize behind it the philosophy that says, \u201cI\u2019ll not believe until I see it with my own eyes.\u201d\u00a0 This was the attitude of Thomas regarding the Lord\u2019s resurrection: \u201cUnless I see the print of nails in His hands, I will not believe.\u201d<\/p>\n

For the Christian, however, the opposite can be true.\u00a0 It isn\u2019t seeing that produces believing, but believing that produces seeing.\u00a0 Hebrews 11:1 declares, \u201cFaith is the evidence of things not seen.\u201d Through eyes of faith an invisible dimension comes to life.<\/p>\n

The Prophet Elisha resided in Dothan (II Kings 6:13-23).\u00a0 Because of its location, a well-positioned army could easily overwhelm the small community. Shortly after sunrise as Elisha\u2019s servant did morning chores, he saw the sun reflecting off the burnished armor of a thousand shields and chariots.\u00a0 Terrified, he ran to Elisha for help.<\/p>\n

With quiet confidence, Elisha replied, \u201cFear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.\u201d\u00a0 I doubt this simple comment resolved the young man\u2019s fears.\u00a0 He was living by sight, and his physical eyes could only see the enemy.<\/p>\n

Elisha interceded, praying, \u201cLord,…open his eyes that he may see.\u201d\u00a0 And we read, \u201cAnd the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw.\u201d\u00a0 What did he see?\u00a0 \u201cBehold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before Elisha\u2019s prayer, the young man didn\u2019t see everything there was to see.\u00a0 He saw the sun as it rose, the birds winging their way heavenward and the horses, chariots and thousands of Syrians.\u00a0 Yet he missed the most important sight\u2014God\u2019s presence.\u00a0 Faith and confidence allowed Elisha to view what the servant could not, and it will do the same for us.<\/p>\n

Believing is seeing that God is present in every situation.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cThe horses and chariots of fire\u201d represent God\u2019s presence. The young man did see the enemy, and that is commendable. Many don\u2019t even see that much.\u00a0 Alexander McClaren wrote, \u201cWorse foes ring round us than those whose armor glittered in the morning sunshine of Dothan.\u201d<\/p>\n

Although we need to see the adversary, it is imperative to look beyond, understanding that God is present also. Scottish preacher George Morrison commented, \u201cIn the world around us there is the presence of the living God and until we see that presence we are blind.\u201d\u00a0 Through faith we can see not only the danger but the deliverer, not only the enemy but also the ally, not only the problem but also the possibilities.<\/p>\n

Nothing affects us like the presence of a special individual. There are times when a special person keeps us from falling, shields us from discouragement or infuses us with strength.<\/p>\n

As a seventh grader, I was quite small.\u00a0 It seems that every small boy must contend with the local bully.\u00a0 My personal nemesis was Ervin. He was one grade in school behind me, but having failed twice was a year older. He was huge, uncouth and mean.<\/p>\n

At the same time I had a special friend named Gary.\u00a0 Gary was in my class, but he\u2019d failed three grades. So in the seventh grade he was 15 years old. He stood about 6\u20192\u201d, weighed 200-plus pounds and was tough as nails. One day Gary asked me, \u201cHow long are you going to let Ervin get the best of you?\u201d\u00a0 I pretended not to hear the question.\u00a0 Then he added, \u201cIf you\u2019ll fight him, I\u2019ll go with you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gary didn\u2019t promise to end my troubles for me, but in my heart I knew he wouldn\u2019t let Ervin murder me.\u00a0 The next afternoon I faced the adversary and won the day.<\/p>\n

Believing is seeing that divine protection is available in every situation.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Keil and Delizsch\u2019s commentary on the Old Testament says, \u201cThe fiery horses and chariots were symbols of the protecting powers of Heaven.\u201d\u00a0 When Elisha prayed on behalf of the young man, he didn\u2019t ask that the heavenly guard would come, but that the servant might see them.\u00a0 The miracle involved the momentary unveiling of what always was.<\/p>\n

When Martin Luther was in the throes of the Reformation and the Pope was trying to bring him back to the Catholic Church, he sent a cardinal to deal with Luther and buy him with gold.\u00a0 The cardinal wrote to the Pope, \u201cThe fool does not love gold.\u201d<\/p>\n

Later, after failing to convince Luther to recant, the cardinal said to him, \u201cWhat do you think the Pope cares for the opinion of a German boor?\u00a0 The Pope\u2019s little finger is stronger than all Germany.\u00a0 Do you expect your princes to take up arms to defend you\u2014you, a wretched worm like you?\u00a0 I tell you No.\u00a0 And where will you be then?\u201d\u00a0 Luther\u2019s reply was simple:\u00a0 \u201cWhere I am now.\u00a0 In the hands of Almighty God.\u201d<\/p>\n

While a lack of faith may leave us feeling vulnerable, believing is seeing!<\/p>\n

Believing is seeing that God is at work in every situation.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Elisha was surrounded.\u00a0 Humanly speaking, the situation appeared desperate.\u00a0 But God was at work and had already delivered the enemy into Elisha\u2019s hand. Keil and Delizsch commented that God\u2019s over-riding purpose was to reveal His glory and rid Israel of the menacing Syrians.<\/p>\n

God is at work in every situation, and eyes of faith can see it.\u00a0 Not that faith will reveal each detail or answer every question, but faith will grant the assurance that God is in control.\u00a0 He was only five when doctors discovered he was dying of cancer.\u00a0 Brokenhearted, his dad didn\u2019t work for nearly six weeks.\u00a0 He gave his full attention to his sick little boy.\u00a0 A few weeks later the boy was admitted to the hospital, far too sick to remain at home.\u00a0 Later that day, the five-year old rested in the arms of Jesus.\u00a0 The year was 1958.\u00a0 The boy, Roger Keith Sawyer, was my brother.\u00a0 My dad, relating the story years afterward, said, \u201cRandy, it still hurts, but I know now that God makes no mistakes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Even in that dark hour, God was doing something special.\u00a0 No matter the circumstances, God is at work molding and shaping us in His image and gaining glory for His name.\u00a0 Faith will enable us to view an unseen world where God is always at work.<\/p>\n

Believing will enable us to see the presence of God, His divine protection and His activity in every situation. Perhaps you cry with the father spoken of in Mark 9:24.\u00a0 \u201cLord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.\u201d\u00a0 You ask, how can I lay hold of this principle?\u00a0 Paul gave the answer in Romans 10, \u201cSo then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.\u201d Believing is seeing!<\/p>\n

About the Writer:\u00a0<\/strong>Randy Sawyer is a pastor in Gastonia, NC. Article Adapted from Contact Magazine.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Randy Sawyer We\u2019ve all heard the adage, \u201cSeeing is believing,\u201d and recognize behind it the philosophy that says, \u201cI\u2019ll not believe until I see it with my own eyes.\u201d\u00a0 This was the attitude of Thomas regarding the Lord\u2019s resurrection: \u201cUnless I see the print of nails in His hands, I will not believe.\u201d For the Christian, however, the opposite can be true.\u00a0 It isn\u2019t seeing that produces believing, but believing that produces seeing.\u00a0 Hebrews 11:1 declares, \u201cFaith is the evidence of things not seen.\u201d Through eyes of faith an invisible dimension comes to life. The Prophet Elisha resided in Dothan (II Kings 6:13-23).\u00a0 Because of its location, a well-positioned army could easily overwhelm the small community. Shortly after sunrise as Elisha\u2019s servant did morning chores, he saw the sun reflecting off the burnished armor of a thousand shields and chariots.\u00a0 Terrified, he ran to Elisha for help. With quiet confidence, Elisha replied, \u201cFear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.\u201d\u00a0 I doubt this simple comment resolved the young man\u2019s fears.\u00a0 He was living by sight, and his physical eyes could only see the enemy. Elisha interceded, praying, \u201cLord,…open his eyes that […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4459","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-pastors"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nafwb.org\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4459","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nafwb.org\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nafwb.org\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nafwb.org\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nafwb.org\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4459"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/nafwb.org\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4459\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4460,"href":"https:\/\/nafwb.org\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4459\/revisions\/4460"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nafwb.org\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4459"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nafwb.org\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4459"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nafwb.org\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4459"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}