Proverbs 29:18 – “Where there is no vision [no revelation of God and His word], the people are unrestrained; But happy and blessed is he who keeps the law [of God].”  Amplified

As we continue our consideration of The Value of Vision, we have discussed Who God says we are not what we manifest now.  It is a contrast of His reality and ours.  It is an embracing of His declaration rather than relegating ourselves to man’s view of reality. 

The Bible identifies the Church as a “House” which is a “Body”, which is an “Army” made up of “People.”  It is a many-membered body, and I believe that God is Restoring or Reestablishing a Glorious House in the world today. 

Natural Israel had a natural house, the Temple.  Peter declares that we, believers are a ‘spiritual house.’ (1 Peter 2:5).  We are the Lord’s House or His Habitation.  We know in 1 Corinthians 15:46 that God’s method is ‘first the natural, then the spiritual.’  The Psalmist gives a powerful revelation in Psalms 92:13-14 – That those who are “planted in the House of the LORD, will flourish in the Courts of our God.  They will yield fruit in old age; they will be full of sap and very green.”  They will flourish and produce fruit abundantly!

Tragically, the Church has too frequently become nothing more than a lumberyard or a brick pile filled with unconnected and unassembled pieces of lumber or bricks (living stones).  We have not been a House or the Building of the Lord.  Paul addressed that in Ephesians 2:21-22 – “In whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord; 22 in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.” 

Can I ask a silly question?  Have you ever seen a building in the natural grow? We have seen extensions or additions but the building itself did not grow, right?  Yet, the Bible tells us that this Building of the Lord will grow spiritually.  Can you imagine an Army where each soldier did his own thing?  Can you imagine the chaos in a family where every member did his or her own thing?  What about a business or a corporation?  That also applies to a society and a nation.  There must be order, direction, and purpose or failure is guaranteed. Disorder produces chaos and failure.

Acts Chapter Two is germane and important to this discussion.  It not only tells us about salvation but gives instructions as to how believers are to relate to each other and how God’s House is going to be constructed.  It teaches us how we come together to form God’s House. 

After Peter preached, they asked, “What must we do?”  Great question.  He told them to repent, be baptized, and receive the Holy Spirit.  That was the beginning, not the full revelation.  In verse 40 we discover, “and with many other words he did testify and exhort.”  He went on to show them how to be saved from the crooked generation in which they were living.  If we truly desire to avoid becoming nothing more than a solidarity piece of twisted lumber that is of no value, we need to hear Peter’s message.

That brings us to the Purpose of Vision.  Vision links and gives direction.  Nothing is ever accomplished without definitive vision.  NOTHING!  In our text verse Proverbs 29:19, we can read it from numerous translations and possibly gain an even greater understanding.

In the KJV – “Where there is no vision, the people perish…”

In the NASB – “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained…”

In the CSB – “Where there is no vision, the people run wild…”

In the ESV – “Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint…”

Another – “Where there is no vision, the people are demoralized…”

Those are just a few of the ways this reality is translated.  Each of those renderings has an element of truth, but when linked together they give a clear picture of the Importance of Vision.  In simplicity – Vision is the Ability to See!

We will consider Vision more time in the next devotional but until then we will pause and allow you to prayerfully meditate upon what has been presented.  Hopefully, you will take each session and link them together as you ponder the Word.

God bless you as you enjoy this wonderful day in Him!