What do you see?

I remember when I was fishing on the Salmon River in New York that some of my friends could not see into the river. I would point out that in front of them there was a small school of salmon just five feet away. They would look down and were not be able to see the fish. When I realized that they didn’t have polarized glasses, I quickly took mine off and passed it to one of my buddies, and right away he shouted, “I can see the fish, they are right in front of me!” After that he was having the time of his life as he lured those fish in. What made the difference? His ability to see.

In life there are different types of eyesight. Some have the ability to see with the eye of industry. They see potential business and revenue where others don’t see. Some have the eyes to see beauty. They take pictures of things that others don’t see, and are able to capture the moment. Others have the ability to see logically. They are able to extrapolate formulas with precision thus making it possible to place a man on Mars. Others see within a stone. Thus they are able to make great sculptures. Others have the eye of staging a home with what is available. They can turn a normal home into a mansion. Others have the eye to diagnose. Doctors can see and predict well what is happening to the human body.

In the Bible, we have a scenario. 12 men see the same landscape, and yet two different views emerge. The Bible tells us that Moses sent 12 spies to view the Promised Land that God is about to give the new born nation of Israel.

“And they returned from searching of the land after forty days. And they went and came to Moses, and to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, unto the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word unto them, and unto all the congregation, and shewed them the fruit of the land. And they told him, and said, We came unto the land whither thou sentest us, and surely it floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it. Nevertheless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan. And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.” Numbers 13:25-31

They saw the same landscape, same cities, same crops, same rivers and streams. Yet, it was two different views of Palestine. What made the difference? One set did not wear their glasses. The other had the lens of faith. Joshua and Caleb remembered how God delivered the people from one of the most powerful armies of that time. They remembered how God lead them thru the Red Sea. How God provided during their entire trip. Now they see the promised land, and are excited to enter. On the other hand, the other spies saw the obstacles. They saw the mighty fortresses. They saw that there were giants in the land. The more they looked, the more they were discouraged. The more they looked, the more hindrances, hurdles, and holdups they saw.

What do you see? It all depends on you. Do you see the promise land or do you see the obstacles? Or could it be that you just need a new set of faith glasses? What do you see? Joshua and Caleb saw the beauty of Palestine despite the obstacles because they knew the God who can perform wonders and miracles. Here are some words of encouragement.

“These examples of human steadfastness, in the might of divine power, are a witness to the world of the faithfulness of God’s promise of His abiding presence and sustaining grace. As the world looks upon these humble men, it cannot discern their moral value with God. It is a work of faith to calmly repose in God in the darkest hour however severely tried and tempest-tossed, to feel that our Father is at the helm. The eye of faith alone can look beyond the things of time and sense to estimate the worth of eternal riches.” {4T 525.2}

May God bless you this Sabbath as we worship God with the Eye of Faith

Angel
Angel J. Rodriguez, D.Min
Houston Central – Senior Pastor