Dear Ones,
The story of Moses is an intriguing story:
From the time we see him as a helpless baby floating in a basket on the Nile River in Egypt,
–to his Princedom in the Court of the Pharaoh,
—to his flight to the backside of the Arabian Desert,
—-to his return to Egypt 40 years later, sent by God to deliver His people out of slavery,
—–to the forty years of leading Israel through the wilderness to the Promised Land,
——to his burial in Moab by God Himself,
we see a man who, by faith, endured, “AS SEEING HIM WHO IS INVISIBLE.” (Heb. 11:27)
Moses was just one of many who, through the ages, have acted in the Faith that is the “SUBSTANCE (underlying foundation) of that for which we HOPE, and the EVIDENCE (proof) of the REALITY of things which we DO NOT SEE.” (Heb. 11:1)
How DO we SEE that which is INVISIBLE?! In his letter to the Romans Paul gives us a little insight. He tells us that “the INVISIBLE THINGS OF GOD since the creation of the world are CLEARLY SEEN, being PERCEIVED through the things that are made, even His everlasting power and Divinity, so we really are without excuse.” Jesus was “the image of the INVISIBLE GOD, the firstborn of all creation, for in Him were all things created, in the heavens and upon the earth, the VISIBLE and the INVISIBLE, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through Him, and for Him…” The writer to the Hebrews admonishes us to “look unto Jesus, the author (initiator) and finisher (perfecter) of our faith. For the joy that was set before Him, He endured the cross, despising shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” If all of our activities were just as if we saw Him, how different our lives would be! And very much more joyful, too. As Peter said it: “Whom having NOT SEEN, you love; in Whom, though now you SEE HIM NOT, yet believing, you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.” (Rom. 1:20; Col. 1:15,16; Heb. 12:2;
1 Peter 1:8)
Faith moves into the Realm of God, and there in perfect peace,We find the Great Reality! Our earthly strivings cease! That which is UNSEEN is GREATER than that which we now behold, the riches of eternity outweigh all earthly gold.
So we “look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are NOT SEEN; for the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are NOT SEEN are ETERNAL.” Those who walked with Jesus saw and knew Him in His physical Being, believed and were blest. Yet He said, “Blessed are they who have NOT SEEN, and yet have believed.” As incredible as it seems – the greater blessing is ours! (2 Cor. 4:18; John 20:29)
A nineteenth century poet wrote the words to an old hymn that beautifully expresses this truth:-
Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, Victorious, Thy great name we praise.
Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Not wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might;
Thy justice, like mountains, high soaring above
Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.
To all, life Thou givest – to both great and small,
In all life Thou livest – the true Life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish – but naught changeth Thee!
Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight,
All praise we would render – O help us to see
‘Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee!
(Walter Chalmers Smith, 1824-1908)
“Now unto the King eternal, immortal,
invisible, the only wise God,
be honor and glory forever and ever.
Amen.”
(1 Tim. 1:17)
In Agape, Eulene
