Seeing God with eyes of spiritual understanding will change the way we view the Christian life. I have some good news for you. Deep and well structured theological insight is not a requirement for seeing God. Years of study or years of devotion to God with the committed disciplines of a militant soldier do not guarantee true spirituality. And a clean and perfect past life are certainly not qualifications for seeing Him. If that were the case, none of us would see Him. There are two biblical examples I would like to share with you. These are examples of two men who “saw” God with eyes of spiritual understanding and how it altered their lives. Have you seen Him?
ISAIAH
“In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple. Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke. Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts” (Isaiah 6:1-5).
What can we learn from this Heavenly vision which was given to the Prophet Isaiah? Simply this. When Isaiah saw the Lord, high and lifted up, it helped him to see himself for “what” and “who” he really was. A man who was “undone” or literally one who was cut off from deity. A man of unclean lips. When God gave Isaiah a glimpse of His glory, power, and holiness it humbled him. It broke him. It caused him to confess his nothingness and proclaim God’s magnificence. “For mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.” Have you seen the King, the Lord of hosts, through the Holy Word with eyes of spiritual understanding.
JOB
Remember the story of Job? He was a good man who avoided evil and had a good reputation among his fellow countrymen. He faithfully and diligently prayed for his children. And he was also a man of great wealth and prosperity. But things suddenly changed. He lost all of his possessions, his personal health deteriorated, and if that were not enough, all ten of his children died in an instance. His so called “friends” falsely and harshly judged him. He had nothing. He was nothing. And he concluded it would have been better to have never been born! But He was exactly where a sovereign God allowed him to be.
Beginning in Job chapter 38, God begins to reveal His sovereignty and His power. He shows He is omniscient [the fact He is all knowing], omnipresent [the fact He is all present], and omnipotent [the fact He is all powerful]. After this “eye opening” revelation, Job confessed something very important and relevant to living the full Christian life.
“Then Job answered the LORD, and said, I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:1-6).
Job really saw God and it changed his life. When his understanding and view of God changed, it also changed his opinion of himself. “Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”
I guess at some point, most of us have heard a certain biblical truth over and over again, and one day we finally “heard” it with spiritual comprehension and understanding. It made a difference in our thoughts and actions. We really “saw” God’s greatness with spiritual eyes. God’s Word became precious and life changing.
In this devotional thought, I would like to relate the spiritual awakenings of Isaiah and Job, specifically to the subject of “seeing” the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ with eyes of understanding. Instead of referencing many truths, I am focusing on the truth, Jesus Christ. So let me ask, have you “seen” Jesus Christ and His fullness through the Word of truth?
God the Father makes it abundantly clear that His purpose and plan is for all the fullness of the Godhead bodily to dwell in Christ. Jesus is preeminent in all things. He has all power. He has a name above every name. He is head of the church. Without Him we can do nothing. Jesus Christ is the central focus of Scripture. Have you seen this truth with eyes of understanding?
Our Heavenly Father uses His Holy Word, troublesome and difficult trials, and, when necessary, loving correction to direct us to Christ. Is Jesus Christ real and personally intimate to you? Do you see Him? Each time you read the Scriptures, I admonish you to seek Christ. As you go through a fiery trial, look to Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith. Let the loving correction of your Heavenly Father turn your eyes to Jesus Christ. Ask and you will receive. Seek and you shall find. Knock and it will be opened unto you. If you really have a desire to know God, then long to know Jesus Christ. Seek and see Him.