Blind Spots: Our Ways Are Not His
Hi Friends,
I have a vision to share with you today that has several parts. It is about seeking, and understanding God's will. We need to encourage one another to seek the Lord, to know him and to trust him. We can make assumptions about God which can be entirely wrong. The Lord tells us, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways." Isaiah 55:8 We need to spend time with him to understand his heart.
Vision I. “Trap Her and Protect Her”
The vision begins with a voice: I believe that this is the Lord’s voice giving direction about a particular person, yet it may apply to someone you know. The voice said, “Trap her and protect her.” As I thought about these words, a scripture came to mind. “If she is a wall, we will build towers of silver on her. If she is a door, we will enclose her with panels of cedar.” Song of Solomon 8:9
Who was Solomon describing? The question was posed: “We have a little sister, and her breasts are not yet grown. What shall we do for our sister on the day she is spoken for?” Solomon 8:8 And now the answer given is the response above: “If she is a wall, we will build towers of silver on her. If she is a door, we will enclose her with panels of cedar.”
I believe that these scriptures clarify what the voice said, “Trap her and protect her.”
In Solomon’s Song of Songs, he was speaking of sheltering a young girl who may be adventurous, flirtatious, or one who makes herself attractive to young men. A young girl like this invites harm. She could easily become prey to a man with evil intentions. There are stories of young girls who “hook up” with the wrong person, and find themselves on a path of destruction. Their lives are filled with pain, sorrow and troubling memories.
We have been praying for a woman, who has been mistreated by family members, and abused physically so that she no longer sees the world as perhaps you and I do. She has become crippled emotionally and now blames everyone for her life circumstances. She is unable to take responsibility for her own actions. She becomes angry when she feels threatened, and strikes back rather than “turning the other cheek,” (Luke 6:29). She is so conditioned, that she cannot give a gentle response. “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1
If she were able to forgive her family members, she would be free. It is unforgiveness that keeps her in bondage. Unforgiveness opens the door to the enemy, (the devil). "Do not let the sun go down upon your wrath, or give place to the devil." Ephesians 4:27
We are praying for her to see that when God forgives us, he expects us to forgive others. “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many time should I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?’”
Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven.” Matthew 18:21-22
As we have been praying for her, I believe the message “Trap her and protect her,” has come from the Lord. She was placed in a “hospital,” by her family. Our prayer is for her deliverance, and for her emotional healing and restoration. We are believing that in this “safe” environment, she can receive God’s love and direction.
You might be wondering, “Could this be an even worse place for her? Is she really safe?” Only God knows - but we can take comfort in these words, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good...” Genesis 50:20
These words came from the story of Joseph. His brothers threw him into a pit, then sold him into slavery. He was accused falsely and was imprisoned for many years, but the Lord raised him up. As second only to Pharaoh of Egypt, he was able to not only save Egypt from a severe famine, but he was able to save his entire family including the very brothers who had sold him years earlier.
We continue to pray for her ability to forgive those who have harmed her. We pray and believe that our faithful Lord, not only can bring deliverance, healing and restoration, but that he will bring deliverance, healing and restoration. She is a believer. “‘I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” Jeremiah 29:11
When situations are out of our hands, we place them in the Lord’s hands. We present him our petitions, and he gives us peace. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
I believe that I was given this vision because it is God's plan to protect her, heal her, and set her free. Truly God's ways are not our ways.
Vision II. A Seeker
I saw a young woman talking with someone, who I cannot see. Another person was standing next to her. The woman asked, “Do you know where I am supposed go?” I believe that person who is unseen is the Lord. The young woman is earnestly seeking an answer to her question. She represents those seeking God for guidance, wisdom, or knowledge. “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.” Proverbs 4:7
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously without finding fault.” James 1:5
I know that sometimes our questions don’t always get answered right away. I remember a vision that God gave me years ago, but it took hours everyday for ten days to receive the meaning. Sometimes we simply have to press through, and wait for the answer. When we pray for salvation of a loved one, it can takes years. I have been praying 24 years for my mother to be saved. We must not lose hope, but believe God will provide the solution to the problems, the answer in a decision, or the provision of something needed.
For me, an answer can come first, but the provision may come many years later. God gives us answers so that we do not lose heart, but can trust in him for the provision. I asked God once about my husband’s job prospects after losing a job. He gave me a vision which showed me that he was going to provide for us, and it was not going to be as bad as I had imagined it. After receiving the vision, during the 22 months of his unemployment, I had peace and was able to share that peace with my husband. The provision came months after the answer (vision).
If you have been seeking God for wisdom, direction or provision, wait upon him - and keep faithfully waiting. Abraham received a word from the Lord, but it took many years for the promise to be fulfilled. We simply need the grace to be patient.
Vision III. A Woman Dancing
I saw a black woman in a white suit with a narrow straight skirt, jumping up and down, turning slightly left and then slightly right. (That is all that one can do to dance in a straight skirt!) But she was celebrating; she was worshiping the Lord, with much enthusiasm.
“God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” John 4:24
I remember years ago, I saw on a movie, a scene in a black church, where people were dancing, and shouting, and praising God with so much passion. At that moment, I knew I wanted to go to a church where we could dance, and sing and shout to the Lord. It is truly a God thing - The Lord answered my unspoken request - He gave me that in the churches I have gone to these last 20 plus years! Yes! I love to dance and sing and shout at the top of my lungs, “Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!”
David worshiped and danced as he brought in the Ark of the Covenant into the tent. His wife, Michal, the daughter of Saul, was highly displeased to see David, dancing rather than looking regal, and dignified as she thought a king should be. “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, going around half-naked in full view of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!”
“David said to Michal, ‘It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord’s people Israel--I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor.’ And Michal daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.” 2 Samuel 6:20-23
God loves for us, his children, to take delight in him. He wants us to show our love, and gratitude in praise, in thanksgiving, in dancing, in singing, in shouting, with great enthusiasm! “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn--shout for the joy before the Lord, the King. Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.” Psalm 98:4-9
Vision IV. A Pair of Glasses
I saw a pair of glasses entangled in string. The string was all around the frames, and had to be removed in order to wear the glasses. When I saw the glasses all entangled, it caused me to recall a scripture: “You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:5
Because the Lord gives me visions, I immediately thought - Aw-oh! I must have made a mistake. Maybe I am not seeing something right! I certainly do not want to mislead anyone, or misrepresent God’s heart or his intentions. Lord, did I blow it?
After much prayer, I believe the vision is to make us aware of our blind spots. Because our thoughts and our ways are not the Lord’s thoughts or ways, we can deceived ourselves. Sometimes we see only what we want to see. And sometimes we are completely oblivious to what may be clear to everyone else.
There are different ways to see too. We can see in the natural and come to one conclusion, and see in the spiritual and arrive at an entirely different conclusion. What I believe God wants to address is making wrong assessments, because we “think” we know what God wants, rather than truly seeking his heart to “know” what he wants.
In the book of Job, Job’s friends are the perfect example. Job’s friends saw in the natural, that Job was suffering greatly. He lost all his possessions, all his children were dead, and now he is afflicted with sores all over his body, and his wife just told him to “Curse God and die!” He was not having a good day to say the least. Job’s friends made a huge mistake concerning his afflictions. They believed that God was punishing him for his terrible sins. They told him that if only he would repent, God might change his mind, and have mercy on him.
They really did not seek God - they knew about him, but did not know him. They made assumptions about God’s character, his behavior, and his thoughts. They did not understand an important aspect of life and God’s will for each person. God’s purpose in all this, was not to afflict him simply because the devil persuaded him, nor was he angry with Job for his lack of faithfulness, for Job was truly a man faithful to God.
No, God’s purpose in all of this was to test Job. The truth is that we will all be tested. We will be tested with fire. “Count it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4
“Everyone will be salted with fire.” Mark 9:49
What I believe about God’s desire to test us is this: He only wants those in heaven with him that will be eternally faithful. God already experienced the devil’s rebellion. He does not want people in heaven that will not love him.
Many years ago, a friend of mine, whose father had just died, asked me to come and pray for him. I told her that I needed to seek God first, and I would call her right back. I asked God, “What do you want me to do?” He showed me that the books were open, and that judgment was proceeding. I asked him to show him mercy, for I knew the scripture, “I will have mercy upon whom I have mercy.” He responded with a name, “__________”, someone who I found difficult and contrary. He asked me, “Why are you asking me to allow someone to spend time with me, who doesn’t love me?” Then I understood God’s heart.
That is why I believe we will all be tested with fire. It is our love and loyalty to our Lord, that is being tested.
So now, when we are aware of someone going through a trial, we should not assume that the devil is attacking them. This may be the Lord’s hand at work, using the devil to test the individual. I remember once I heard God speak to me. He said, “Do not pray for him!” So I stopped immediately. We must be careful not to interfere with what the Lord is doing in others lives. We pray on their behalf as we feel we are being lead by the Spirit. However, if the Lord says, “No.” Just stop. Jesus rebuked Peter for saying something that unknowingly came from the devil, to tempt Jesus to avoid the cross. “Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of man.’” Matthew 16:23
As I was praying for someone the other day, I saw that he was going through a very difficult time. I could reason, and list about three things that could have brought on his troubles. I thought, perhaps God was trying to show him something that needed correction. But then on the other hand, I could also see the potential of a turn-around through prayer, though binding and loosening, and “declaring those things that are not, as though they were.”
Then while praying, I heard these words, “Do no harm.” So Immediately, I thought of Job’s friends who mistakenly were giving bad advice to Job, and Peter who was used by the devil to tempt Jesus. I did not want to hinder the Lord’s will by praying amiss or speaking to this person and “Doing him harm.” So, I simply stopped and began to pray in the Spirit. I wanted to pray with the Lord, rather than praying against his wishes.
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words.” Romans 8:26
Friends, if you have not been Baptized in the Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, I so wish you would seek God, for this greater infilling of the Holy Spirit. I tell everyone it is the difference between a pair of roller skates, and a Lear jet! Seek God!
Love you all. Please share this with someone who may benefit and be blessed.
