Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. (Proverbs 29:18 KJV)

Having a God given vision. If I am to be honest with you can be hard. A lot of people may not want to admit that. Yes, it can be exciting and rewarding seeing God move to bring the vision he has given you come to pass in your life. It however, as I mentioned earlier can be hard. Especially in the beginning, because when God gives you his vision. Meaning what he put you on this earth to do. He will call you to it. When you are empty. When you don’t have the resources. When you don’t have the connections or finances to see it come about. Sometimes, honestly not knowing how to move. Or which way to go on about it. It can be extremely frustrating. Here’s that but though, but God is not asking us to trust in our own abilities or to trust in what we can see. He ask us to trust in him. The one who has given us the vision in the first place. Scripture tells us that where there is no vision, the people perish. Yes, having a vision can sometimes feel frustrating, but it is also that thing that gets you out of bed in the morning. It’s what motivates you to keep going. When all you may want to do is throw in the towel or wave the white flag. Having a vision. A God placed vision can be hard, but not having one can be detrimental. Scripture says that the people perish. That is simply because we don’t have anything to look to. Our vision keeps us motivated in the hard places. I will share with you some of the things God is showing me about vision.

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. (Habakkuk 2:3 KJV)

1.) That the vision will be long in coming.

This is the number one reason. Why I believe that having a God given vision can be hard, because sometimes it can be a long time in coming. In the book of Habakkuk it tells us that though it tarry. That we are to wait for it. To tarry means to delay or be tardy in acting. It can also mean to linger in expectation. So what Habakkuk is telling us that even though that vision seems to be delayed. That we are to wait for it. He said something interesting. He said that it shall speak and not lie. The vision that God has given us. When it comes to pass will speak for itself. Not everyone is going to believe in the vision that God has given you in and for your life. To be honest some people don’t believe that God will use you to do it. The vision however will speak for itself and it will not lie. For Habakkuk God had given him a vision of the judgement of the people of Judah. For some of us. It can be a vision of ministry or outreach. For others it like Habakkuk’s vision can be a vision of God’s judgment.

2.) The vision will be for an appointed time.

Appointed simply means decided beforehand or predetermined. Habakkuk had cried out to the Lord about the iniquity that he saw going on around him. He was crying out for the judgement of God. When the Lord answered him. He told Habakkuk that the vision was for an appointed or predetermined time. I believe that one of the hardest things to do is to speak out against wickedness in a corrupt generation. Especially, when it seems as though wickedness is prevailing. God, however was showing Habakkuk that justice was coming but that the time had already been predetermined beforehand. This can be comforting to us because we can take from this that the vision that God has given to us, is yet for a predetermined time. And it will not lie.

After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying Fear not, Abram I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward (Genesis 15:1 KJV )

3.) Through vision God can give his word!

When God appeared to Abraham. Who was then Abram in Genesis 15. He appeared to him in a vision, but it was with a word. He told Abram to fear not. That he was both his shield (protector) and his exceeding great reward (blessing) when God gives us a vision or speaks to us in a vision. It comes with his word. Which is his promise. For Abram that promise was that he was both is protector as well as his rewarder. There is something significant about God appearing to Abram now. Simply, because this is not God’s first time appearing to Abram. He first appeared to him in Genesis 12 when he told him to get out from his father’s country and I will bless you and make you a great nation (Genesis 12:1-3). Now many years later he appears again to him and he tells him to fear not. Let’s not forget that years has now passed from Genesis 12 to 15. So when God appeared this time. It was to remind Abram that he hadn’t forgotten him. One of the frustrations about vision is the feeling that somehow God may have forgotten. You see that our vision does not come from ourselves. Rather it is given to us by God. He does not forget what he promised or put inside of us. Before we can lose hope God will remind us that he has not forgotten us. I don’t know if you caught it but God spoke a word to Abram when he told him to Fear not. That he was his shield and exceeding great reward. When God speaks to our vision. He speaks his word into it. I use to think that Abraham’s vision was just for a son, but no. His vision was that through his son. That he will become the father of many nations. When God gave him that vision Abram was in a place of barrenness. We serve a God who gives us vision. When we are in a place of nothingness. He will comfort us a long the way by reminding us of his promise. Over our lives and over the lives of our ministry or businesses.

Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: (10) For I am with thee, and no man shall set thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city. (Acts 18:9-10 KJV)

4.) God will reassure us in our vision.

Paul the apostle had just washed his hands of trying to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to the Jews. In verse 6 it lets us know that they (Paul, Silas, Timothy) were opposed. To the point thay Paul shook his raiment and told them that your blood be upon you. I am clean. I will go to the gentiles. Now we know that when we go back and read back in Acts 9 on the road to Damascus that Paul was called by Jesus himself to preach the gospel. Yet, when he tried with the Jews he was opposed. It is discouraging when you know that God has called you to something and you face opposition along the way. The fact that the Lord appeared to Paul and told him not to be afraid. Shows me that Paul had trepidations about going to the gentiles, but God will reassure us in what he has called us to do. I always thought that Paul went straight to the gentiles, but God allowed him to face opposition to steer Paul in the direction that he needed to go. God will use the opposition in our lives to point us in the way that he wants for us to go. When the Lord told him hold not thy peace. He was telling Paul don’t be afraid to preach my word. For the Lord was with him and that no man would hurt him. In that vision that God spoke to him. God reassured Paul of his protection. Like Paul many of us are called to a certain group of people. Or to a certain demographic. We are called to a certain place and to a certain people. That when we speak the message of the hope of the gospel. It will be received.

Back to Proverbs 29:18 where it says that without a vision the people perish. Looking at the lives of these 3 men Habakkuk, Abraham and Paul. I come to understand that this is true.

Habakkuk would have perished if he would have not believed God. To execute judgement at the iniquity he saw going on around him.

Abraham would have perished. If he would have believed that God would give him a son, thus making him the father of many nations.

Paul would have perished. If he would have believed that God set him apart for the furtherance of the gospel of Jesus the Christ.

I need for you to understand that when I talk about vision in this post. I am talking about what God has called you to do. What he has called you to be. If you thought that I was referring to fancy cars and houses on the hills. You missed it. The vision that I am referring to is the vision connected to your calling. So when scripture tells us that where there is no vision. The people perish. It means because of lack of purpose and the lack of drive. Not just for the betterment of ourselves, but that God’s glory will be made manifest in what he has called us to. Remember that even though the vision may seem as though it tarries. Wait for it for in the end it shall speak and not lie.

God’s blessings,

Aqua.