SEE IT AND BELIEVE IT!
SEE IT AND BELIEVE IT!
We must all have heard it said before that “seeing is believing” This simply means that it is the physical evidence of a thing that convinces one that the thing exists. In other words, we will not believe that a certain thing can actually happen until we see a physical manifestation of it. At some point in my life, I began to think that this saying was not quite right because the bible tells us to ask for and believe that we have and then we will receive whatever we asked for. That sounds to me like the case of believing before seeing.
As believers, our rule book or owner’s manual is the BIBLE.
“All scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.” 2 Timothy 3:16 NIV God expects us to live here on earth as instructed in the bible. One of such instructions is to have faith. We are told that without faith, it is impossible to please God. “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 NIV
Our same instruction manual tells us that “Faith assures us of things we expect and convinces us of the existence of things we cannot see.” Hebrews 1:1 God’s Word Translation Faith is therefore the requirement we need, that will convince us that what we cannot see actually exists. This means it exists but we must believe that is exists before we can receive it. “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Matthew 21: 22 NIV Therefore if we believe that something we desire exists then we will see it happen. In this case, we can say “Believing is seeing.”
Does this then make nonsense of the old English proverb “Seeing is believing?” Definitely not! Possibly like some people; and as I wrote above, I had thought that this saying was not quite right. Lately though, I have had a rethink. In my opinion, the saying “seeing is believing”, couldn’t be more accurate. The truth is that whenever we take a promise of God from scripture and begin to meditate on it, what we are actually doing is visualising it and imprinting it on the eyes of our heart. Have you ever shut your eyes when desperately trying to remember something or someone? It is symbolic of shutting out any interference from your physical vision so that we can have a better recollection (in our mind’s eyes) of whatever it is that we are trying to remember.
Please permit me to share an experience with you. I have recently been meditating on Psalm 5:12 that says; The Lord will bless the righteous and will encompass him with favour like a shield. (paraphrased by me) When I began meditating on it, I first researched the meaning of key words like encompass, favour and shield. I could not go further without seeing myself being held in on every side by something called favour. The more I am meditating on this scripture, the more this image becomes clearer in my mind’s eyes. It becomes so clear that I begin to smile and experience a sense of peace and calm all around me. It is the case then that the more I see it in my mind, the more I believe it to be true. So for me I am seeing it first in my mind and believing follows naturally. This is my own perspective.
The very best thing we can do for ourselves is to begin to meditate on the word of God in scripture. It makes the promise more real; it creates a visual reality in our minds; it brings our faith to life and belief follows naturally from there.
I encourage us to get into the habit of meditating on scripture especially now that there is so much chaos and uncertainty round and about. The great thing about meditating on scripture is that you can do it absolutely anywhere. It will make you suddenly start smiling. It will light up your countenance. It will take your mind of all that makes you anxious. Imagine yourself right now lying down under the shade of a tree on freshly manicured grass with absolutely no insects or pests. There is a gentle breeze, no blazing hot sun and a cool stream of water is gently flowing by. It’s a safe and relaxing place to be. That is the picture of Psalm 23:2. Seeing it like that is already refreshing.
BRING GOD’S PROMISES TO LIFE BY SEEING THEM AS YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD OF GOD.
SEE IT IN YOUR MIND’S EYE AND BELIEVE IT!
OLUYINKA EGO-MARTINS©