“When there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keeps the law happy is he.”
This can be translated as “when there is no revelation the people perish." The point is that the vision that we have should not come only from our imaginations, but from the Lord. We cannot have just any old vision that we want to have and claim that it is from God. If our visions are to be of value to other people, we need to seek God’s revelation, not our own, nor for that matter, somebody’s best-selling book. What is the source of God’s vision? You will not be surprised at my answer. An authentic vision for our lives comes from reflective, meditative prayer. Daily prayer draws us closer to God, and enables us to hear His “still small voice.” People ask how I know that it comes from God.” Answer: I just know! My life has virtually become one long prayer, not because I think that I’m so good, but because I need God’s vision and guidance each day. Without the presence of God, I feel that I would perish – to quote the text. I decided to write these daily devotions, not because I think I’m a great writer. (Don’t you dare say “Amen.”) I do it because God led me to it. I don’t think God thinks I’m a great writer either, but He knew that I needed to do it, and that other people, for some reason or other, need for me to do it. An authentic vision for our lives comes from a close reading of God’s word. I am in the process of reading the Bible from cover to cover every year. I often read it through with study notes from great Bible thinkers. My vision for life comes from just reading and prayerfully studying the Bible. You might be thinking that with all of that praying and all of that Bible reading, I must think I’m about perfect. Believe me! That is not true. I used to tell people to talk to my late wife, Mary, if they wanted to find out how “perfect” I am. (Since she has gone to heaven, I can refer you to my two daughters, and a few of my preacher friends. I also have a couple of brothers who could fill you in on my “perfection.”) When I preach and write, I do it from a biblical perspective, because I need to do it, and because, for some reason or other, other people need for me to do it. From biblical wisdom, and from reflective and meditative prayer, comes a sense of purpose. Everyone has to have a purpose for living, or should have. Mine is to be a preacher, teacher and encourager – not necessarily in that order. Those are the three gifts that God has given me to carry out His vision for my life to keep myself and others from “perishing.” (Since my recent stroke, I’ve had to preach, teach and encourage entirely through writing.) I didn’t start out to write a personal testimony about my vision, but I felt led in that direction. I hope that you have gained a greater sense of your vision for your life through this effort. Just remember that your life's vision can be discovered through prayer and revelation from scripture. ‘ Bro. Joe
0 Comments
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorDr. Joe Beauchamp is the author of this blog and website. Categories
All
Archives
September 2021
|