The people of God in Isaiah’s time had blinded their minds’ ability to see God by looking on the face of idols. But Isaiah made them look up at the heavens; that is, he made them begin to use their power to think and to visualize correctly. If we are children of God, we have a tremendous treasure in nature and will realize that it is holy and sacred. We will see God reaching out to us in every wind that blows, every sunrise and sunset, every cloud in the sky, every flower that blooms, and every leaf that fades, if we will only begin to use our blinded thinking to visualize it.

The real test of spiritual focus is being able to bring your mind and thoughts under control. Is your mind focused on the face of an idol? Is the idol yourself? Is it your work? Is it your idea of what a servant should be, or maybe your experience of salvation and sanctification? If so, then your ability to see God is blinded. You will be powerless when faced with difficulties and will be forced to endure in darkness. If your power to see has been blinded, don’t look back on your own experiences, but look to God. It is God you need. Go beyond yourself and away from the faces of your idols and away from everything else that has been blinding your thinking.

Wake up and accept the ridicule that Isaiah gave to his people, and deliberately turn your thoughts and your eyes to God.One of the reasons for our sense of futility in prayer is that we have lost our power to visualize. We can no longer even imagine putting ourselves deliberately before God. It is actually more important to be broken bread and poured-out wine in the area of intercession than in our personal contact with others. The power of visualization is what God gives a saint so that he can go beyond himself and be firmly placed into relationships he never before experienced.

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February 10, 2016

Journal Entry for Today-JDV

Good morning God and thank You for this day and this devotional time with David. We explored Chambers’ premise that we are often blinded (or distracted) from seeing You in all things. Chambers mentions that we can be blinded from seeing You in nature….see God reaching out to us in every wind that blows, every sunrise and sunset, every cloud in the sky, every flower that blooms, and every leaf that fades, if we will only begin to use our blinded thinking to visualize it. And while that is true, in my experience, we can also be blinded from seeing You in all our day to day circumstances, storms and challenges. If our life’s mantra is …”all things work together for the good of those that love the Lord” then it seems as if we can visualize You in all things, not just nature. This is my prayer Lord, as You are teaching us through surrender, connection, curiosity and obedience.

And God says…”When you give up your right to yourself; your right to be right, look good, feel good and be in control, I am free to work out all things for your good. Seek first the kingdom of God, which is Jesus, and I will provide everything else you require. Acknowledge Me in all your ways and I will make your paths straight. Delight yourself in the Lord and I will give you the desires of your heart. I began the good work in you and I will complete it as you release control. This is how your faith is released; you letting go of your control. And one way for you to be reminded to “let go” is for you to visualize yourself placing your life, treasures, loves, circumstances, hopes, dreams and fears at the foot of the cross. In your mind’s eye, put all these things in boxes with labels and leave them at the foot of the cross every day and at every other opportunity or pressure point during your day. You can be assured that I will meet all your needs according to my riches in glory.”