Faith that Thrives
The Vision of God that Anchors Faith
Ezekiel 1: 4, 28; Isaiah 6:1, 2a, 3-4; Revelation 4:2-3, 5a
“Faith always thrives when God occupies the whole field of vision.”
If you pull your car up next to mine at a traffic light and look over, you might see me bouncing slightly in the driver’s seat. You’ll notice my head bob side-to-side in rhythm with my Spotify playlist. It’s not unusual to see me lift a hand or gesture to the clouds as I emphasize the lyrics. If you look closely, you might see a tear or two tracing down either cheek. You’ll witness me deep in imagining the glory of the God and the future that awaits me. I may look slightly silly (especially at my age), but I immerse myself in worship music because it lifts my heart, focuses my spirit, and reminds me of what matters most.
The Foundation of Faith
In the previous post, “Crisis Faith,” we explored the meaning of faith to better understand the security we rely upon. The writer of Hebrews defined faith as the visible reality of our hope. In other words, our attitudes and actions emerge from our convictions, revealing what we believe. When our faith anchors in a reliable foundation, it keeps us steady through the unpredictable turns of life.
We further discussed the makeup of that foundation—trusting God to accomplish his purposes for the future. We rejoice in advance, and celebrate from afar, the fulfillment of:
Healing from the brokenness of sin.
Perfect justice by a holy God, applied in the wake of grace.
Restoration of all that is right and good.
The glories of eternal life.
The Vision of God
When crisis and weariness press us down, our faith lifts us. Whether in the valley, or shadow, or ditch of despair, we look up to the face of the One who eclipses all. The vision of God’s loveliness and majesty sweeps away all lesser influences and draws the convictions of our hearts—our faith—forward. We enter the unstoppable momentum of God’s victory as it flows forth from the plan laid out before the beginning. In the light of that vision, our circumstances, feelings, and agendas fade, just as the sun outshines the stars in the morning.
What, then, do we “see” when we embrace the vision of God with our hearts and minds? What draws our attention away from pain and suffering? God has revealed his splendor in many ways, including visions given to the prophets, actions demonstrating his attributes, and the incarnation of Jesus Christ.
The Visions of Prophets
The Bible records the visions of prophets as they spoke for God. In them, we receive a glimpse of the unique and indescribable. We hear the awe in their descriptions that stretch our imaginations. They attempt to share with us the revealed glory of the eternally existing I AM. For example, Ezekiel says:
“I looked and there was a whirlwind coming from the north, a huge cloud with fire flashing back and forth and brilliant light all around it. The appearance of brilliant light all around was like that of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day. This was the appearance of the likeness of the Lord’s glory. When I saw it, I fell facedown and heard a voice speaking.” (Ezekiel 1: 4, 28 [CSB])
In another instance, Isaiah describes his encounter:
“In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, and the hem of his robe filled the temple. Seraphim were standing above him… And one called to another: ‘Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of Armies; his glory fills the whole earth.’ The foundations of the doorways shook at the sound of their voices, and the temple was filled with smoke.” (Isaiah 6:1, 2a, 3-4 [CSB])
And then concluding the Scriptures, the Apostle John records the grand Revelation:
“Immediately I was in the Spirit, and there was a throne in heaven and someone was seated on it. The one seated there had the appearance of jasper and carnelian stone. A rainbow that had the appearance of an emerald surrounded the throne. Flashes of lightning and rumblings and peals of thunder came from the throne.” (Revelation 4:2-3, 5a [CSB])
These gazes beyond the physical world reveal a unique and indescribable God, beyond adequate description in any earthly language.
God’s Greatness and Goodness
The Bible message also gives us a view of God’s attributes through his actions. Through centuries of recorded history and eye-witness encounters, we observe the consistency of God’s character and purposes. Theologian, Millard J. Erickson, classifies God’s attributes into two main categories: greatness and goodness.
God’s nature reveals his majesty. He is Spirit, and the source of all life. He is a Person that communicates and gives. He is unlimited by space and time; unchanging and dependable. We also learn from Scripture that he is holy, all-knowing (omniscient), all-powerful (omnipotent), and ever-present (omnipresent). God is great.
God is also good. He is pure and free from any evil. This quality leads to his holiness, righteousness, and justice. God is true, both in his nature and communication; as well as proving himself faithful.
God’s Love
God expresses the most encompassing quality of his goodness through love. He gives himself to others. He provides for the welfare of those belonging to him. He shows tender-hearted compassion through his actions. And most amazing of all, he offers grace. He deals with humankind based on goodness and mercy, not according to what we deserve.
“Descending from the indescribable throne of the prophets’ visions God unites with his creation to bridge the gap of the invisible beyond. He came to be touched by needy hands, found by searching eyes, and embraced by those rescued from sin. In the incarnation of Jesus, the vision of God takes the human form we can intimately receive.”
The Incarnation of Jesus
The visions of prophets dazzle us, and the display of God’s attributes reassure us. Yet the most powerful revelation and extravagant demonstration of God’s love arrives in the vulnerability of a newborn baby placed on a bed of straw. Descending from the indescribable throne of the prophets’ visions God unites with his creation to bridge the gap of the invisible beyond. He came to be touched by needy hands, found by searching eyes, and embraced by those rescued from sin. In the incarnation of Jesus, the vision of God takes the human form we can intimately receive. The clearest vision of all.
Visions Matter
Maintaining visions matter. They remind us of our commitments and convictions. When our country’s flag raises, pride swells in remembering the sacrifice of others and the responsibility of citizenship. When a bride gazes at her new wedding ring, she blushes as she thinks of the love it represents and the lifetime commitment it promises. When we nod our heads during a Sunday church message, we receive encouragement to stand firm in the professions of our faith.
One of my favorite worship songs, “Be Thou My Vision,” centers me—especially the last verse:
“High king of heaven, my victory won, may I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s sun! Heart of my own Heart, whatever befall, still be my vision, O Ruler of all.”
Hand over my heart, I pledge allegiance to my King. As his Bride, I walk the long aisle of life—keeping my feet on the path of faith. I fix my eyes on the vision of his beautiful and indescribable face, to hold me steady until I reach his waiting arms.
Sources:
Meyer, F B. Elijah and the Secret of His Power. (Columbia, SC: Pantianos Classics, 2017).
Millard J. Erickson, Christian Theology, 3rd ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2013).
“Be Thou My Vision” attributed to the sixth century Irish poet, Dallán Forgaill, and translated into the English version by Mary Elizabeth Byrne in 1905.
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