Scripture
Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint,
but blessed is he who keeps the law. (Proverbs 29:18, ESV)
Thoughts
God’s Word is filled with prophetic visions and prophetic promises. When we view the world through God’s visions or promises, we are then inspired to act according to God’s nature. Think about the things that are not yet that God calls as though they are now. He sees you through the lens of prophetic vision. He sees you through the death, burial, resurrection, and appearance of his son, Jesus. He sees you through the prophetic vision of the Gospel.
I love how The Message translates this proverb:
If people can’t see what God is doing, they stumble all over themselves;
but when they attend to what he reveals, they are most blessed.
And let’s look at a promise or vision in the Bible.
“So from now on we don’t look at anyone the way the world does. At one time we looked at Christ in that way. But we don’t anymore. When anyone lives in Christ, the new creation has come. The old is gone! The new is here! (2 Corin-thians 5:16–17, NIRV)
“From now on we don’t look at anyone the way the world does.” Paul is teaching the Corinthian believers instead to look at people according to Christ, who is in them. Instead of seeing the world with our former eyes and stumbling, we can be blessed by putting on biblical spectacles. Then we will pay attention to the world as God sees it.
Application
How do you view yourself and others? From a worldly point of view or according to Jesus in them? Your relationships will dramatically change if you look at yourself and others with “prophetic vision,” as the proverb says, and as being in Christ, as Paul wrote.
Prayer
Lord, help me to see others and myself through your prophetic promises. . . Continue praying.