THE VISION TEST

VISION = The ability to think about and plan for the future, using intelligence and imagination. Someone’s idea or hope of how something should be done, or how it will be in the future. Something is seen by other than normal sight; something perceived in a dream, trance, etc. or supernaturally revealed, as to a prophet. The ability to see more.

From the beginning of His relationship with Israel, God required their loyalty and allegiance.  He told them continually that their disobedience would end in their dispersing and captivity. Consequently, He informed the prophets of Israel of the pending seventy years of captivity which took place as He said. Upon the completion of the seventy years, remnants began returning to Israel under the leadership and encouragement of men like Zerubbabel, Haggai, Zechariah, Ezra, Nehemiah, and King Cyrus, Artaxerxes, and Darius.

This blog will focus on the works of Nehemiah who God gave a vision and a burden for Israel. Furthermore, despite the opposition, he remained focus, had a plan of execution, perceived what others could not, and successfully passed the vision test.

Nehemiah, the son of Hachaliah, was a trusted, loyal, cupbearer in the service of the Persian King Artaxerxes. After receiving information on the state of affairs of the Jews that had returned to the province of Judah, he became burdened for his countrymen. This burden led him into a time of mourning, weeping, fasting, sadness, and intercession. When the king questioned Nehemiah about his apparent sadness, Nehemiah explained his concern for his countrymen and asked permission to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the city walls. The king granted Nehemiah’s request and sent him with an escort, letters addressed to the governors of the areas for safe travel, and a letter to the manager of the king’s forest to give Nehemiah lumber for his project.

Upon arrival in Jerusalem, Nehemiah surveyed the walls, and then he called for the officials and voiced his concerns and plans. With his encouragement, the people who had become complacent rallied to the cause. The rebuilding took two months to complete. It was two months of prayer, continuous labor, enthusiastic people willing to work, questions and division within Judah, defending the poor and oppressed against mistreatment from fellow Jews, ignoring the taunts and threats of their enemies, and a readiness to fight the enemy when and if necessary.

Let me share this scripture that summarizes Nehemiah’s effort, “So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work. But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth, And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it. Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them. And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah. They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, everyone with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon. So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days” (Nehemiah 4:6-9, 16-18a; 6:15-16).

Nehemiah did not stop after building the wall, but he also became the governor of Jerusalem for twelve years. While in this position, he re-established and reformed the religious and natural institutions needed for Israel successful growth and development. His life was a life committed to God, and he often sought Him in prayer. God honored Nehemiah’s sincere actions and strengthened him to carry out the vision.

Each believer has an assignment and a vision which needs prayer and Divine direction. The more we connect with God, the more apparent things will become. In the spirit, we will see what to do, how to do it, who will assist, and who will hinder; for those vision given by God are meant to be fulfilled.

On today, if you are struggling with your vision, along with prayer, I recommended you do an in-depth study of the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. I know they will enlighten and encourage you to pass your vision test.