TUESDAY March 13, 2018

Seal the Vision

So I came to Jerusalem and was there three days. Then I arose in the night, I and a few men with me; I told no one what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem; nor was there any animal with me,  except the one on which I rode. - >Nehemiah 2:11-12

Nehemiah took some personal time to look around the city of Jerusalem.  His survey of the city probably took him three days because he had never seen the full extent of the damage for himself.  As Nehemiah observed the work that needed to be accomplished, he most likely thought to himself, “Lord, no wonder you spoke to my heart and I had such a great burden.” He knew rebuilding the walls was going to take a lot of work!   

Then Nehemiah arose by night, with a few other men to examine the destruction of the walls as they went around the entire city.  As Nehemiah viewed the repairs needed to be made, the devastation sealed the vision of God in his heart––the Lord totally confirmed what Nehemiah was called  to accomplish. But he still had not told anybody, he had kept the plans to himself. Perhaps he would have been misjudged by these men he took with him? But he was excited to see what God was about to do.

God can speak to each one of us personally, about a work He desires for us to accomplish, but we need to go forward and take steps of faith to begin that work. As we pray and ask the Lord for wisdom, He will continue to give us confirmation.  Often, God will give us confirmation through His Word, circumstances, a certain situation or through a person, who is in tune with the Holy Spirit, to speak to us.

Seriously, God can use any of these things to help seal the vision in our hearts. He gives to us a blessed assurance––a confidence that we are in line with His plans and purposes.

The inward testimony of conscience, the sealing of the conscience, the sealing of the Spirit ... far exceeds all the evidence of the senses.
~John Calvin~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!