(Hab 2:2-4 AMP) And the Lord answered me and said, Write the vision and engrave it so plainly upon tablets that everyone who passes may [be able to] read [it easily and quickly] as he hastens by. For the vision is yet for an appointed time and it hastens to the end [fulfillment]; it will not deceive or disappoint. Though it tarry, wait [earnestly] for it, because it will surely come; it will not be behindhand on its appointed day. Look at the proud; his soul is not straight or right within him, but the [rigidly] just and the [uncompromisingly] righteous man shall live by his faith and in his faithfulness.
This morning we continue our mini-series on “Purpose and Vision” by taking a brief look at something the Lord said through the prophet Habakkuk. Please read our focus text carefully and thoughtfully. The Lord said to this Habakkuk at a time when the nation of Israel needed direction. As the direction (vision) came, the Lord said that they were to write it down so that the people could read it and run with it. The Father acknowledged the fact that the manifestation of the vision would not happen overnight, but it would happen on it’s “appointed day.” This can give us hope as we wait on the manifestation of the promises of God in our own lives. Let’s look at a few other golden nuggets we can take away from this passage:
1. The Vision is for an appointed time. In the New Testament Paul said, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Gal 6:9). Another translation says, “Due time.” There is a designated time when our harvest is due. I am convinced that many believers have missed out on their harvests, because they gave up, out of frustration, before the appointed time.
2. The Vision will surely come to pass – no matter how long it takes. Once we believe we have heard from God, we must remain confident that He will make His Word good. This is where faith and patience come in. The end of this passage says, “The [uncompromisingly] righteous man shall live by his faith and in his faithfulness.”
3. The Vision must be clearly expressed if it requires the involvement of others. In the case of the Israelites the vision was bigger than just one man and in most cases it is. So if you receive vision (direction) from God and the vision requires the involvement of others, you should write it down so the people required to bring it to pass can read it and get a hold of it as well. Clearly expressing the vision promotes “by-in” and support.
4. The Vision must be received and pursued by faith. Faith is required is just about everything we do as believers. Faith is acting in confidence, based upon what God has said, in the absence of sense-realm evidence to support the promise/vision or in spite of sense-realm evidence that is contrary to the promise/vision. Remember, receiving vision from God and thereby “walking by faith” (2 Cor 5:7) is more a matter of spiritual insight than natural sight.
5. Vision is birthed from purpose. God does not arbitrarily give you vision for your own lusts. Vision is birthed out of God’s desire to see the execution of your purpose in the earth. When someone says, “I have a vision for a Rolls Royce,” I think, “That is more ambition, than it is vision.” There is nothing wrong with ambition, but don’t confuse personal ambition with divine vision. Divine vision is tied to divine purposes. The vision Habakkuk was talking about was tied to the purpose the Father wanted to see manifested in the earth, so that His will could be accomplished. We will stop here today and talk more about this tomorrow.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for blessing me with the ability to receive spiritual insight for living. I don’t have to loosely stumble my way through life. I receive divine insight, wisdom, revelation, knowledge, and understanding from You. You give me vision and Your divine vision becomes the light I need to make the decisions that will take me towards Your expected destination for my life. Not only does the vision drive me, but I write the vision down when it involves others as well. Your vision helps drive my family and my business affairs in the way that You desire for them to go. As I document and articulate the vision, others are able to buy-in to what You desire to accomplish in and through our lives. We pursue the vision by faith and we hold on, no matter how long it takes, with the confidence of knowing that it will surely come to pass at its appointed time! In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
