So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18

A siege from Aram brought Israel a devastating famine. Israel had lost hope when Elisha the prophet informed the king the famine would end the next day.

“Impossible” the king’s right-hand officer responded. Yet the next day, four lepers found the enemy’s camp evacuated. They’d left plenty of food and treasure behind. The famine ended in a day. The people had plenty to eat, but the soldier was trampled to death and did not eat any of it, just as Elisha had predicted (2 Kings 7).

Belshazzar, the king of Babylon felt secure in his fortified city. He threw a party and praised the gods of gold and silver. A hand suddenly appeared and began to write on the wall (Daniel 5). Daniel was summoned to interpret the inscription. Daniel bravely relayed the message that this proud king’s kingdom would be handed over to his enemies.

Belshazzar immediately promoted Daniel and adorned him in finery. Believing he was secure in an impenetrable city, his response said, “Oh Daniel, how wise you are to read this strange inscription. But I don’t believe you.” That night the kingdom fell and Belshazzar was slain.

What do these two segments of history show us? No matter how good or how horrible our circumstances appear, they do not determine or reveal the whole picture. Our physical senses alone cannot reveal the hidden work of God.

In both stories, God told the future through His prophets but the message was rejected. The soldier’s unbelief kept him from benefiting from the bounty when it came. The king’s false sense of security kept him from repenting and beseeching God’s mercy.

What desperate situation are you in that seems will never end? There is a limit to pain and suffering. Your situation could turn in an instant. Look at your circumstances through eyes of faith.

In what have you placed your security? Anything other than God can shift in a nanosecond. Suffering and prosperity can give us a false sense of reality. When we walk by faith and not by sight we look not at what is seen but what is unseen.

God sees you and your circumstances just as He saw those in the stories above. The best place to be is trusting Him. There we will receive and benefit from His blessings and warnings.

Blessings,

All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™   Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.