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There are occasions in God’s Word where precious spiritual outpourings are shut up for a season and cease to flow into this earthly realm. When the door is opened and they begin to flow again, those in receipt of the outpouring, having gone so long without it, are better able to appreciate the blessing. 1Samuel 3 has such a record. Samuel, a Levite who was once in service to Eli and went from young priest to prophet, came on the scene at a time when there was no one faithful enough to receive a vision and thus carry it forth. Verse 1 tells us, “And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.” This lets us know two very important pieces of truth, #1 faithfulness lays groundwork for the vision, and #2 the vision must come from God.
During this time in the Old Testament, Eli was a high priest, a person typically considered to have extremely honorable standing. He was expected to be faithful in discharging his duties to God and to God’s people, and his position demanded and assumed personal integrity and an unwavering commitment to Godliness. Eli didn’t hit the mark. His two sons were disobedient to God’s Word. Eli knew of their shenanigans and would not handle the issue. His neglect signaled that he lacked the respect for God’s holiness that he should have had.
Eli tolerated the sin of his children, did not rebuke them, and also allowed the evil behavior of those underneath his watch. He did not get a pass because of his senior years. He had all the authority and power needed to dole out wisdom and decree that it be followed, but he failed. Therefore, the legacy of this esteemed high and holy office would not be continued in Eli’s bloodline. Although he, himself, died in the Lord, his descendants didn’t live long lives or enjoy the Godly privilege they might have.
We often become disappointed because the thing we’ve prayed to receive seems delayed. Some of us become so disillusioned that we lose the enthusiasm for the things of God that we once had. Our Heavenly Father is a God of order. There is a reason for everything that He does, and He has given His Word so that we can learn about His nature and know the way in which He operates. Understand that God’s blessings never cease. Even when Eli abdicated some of his responsibilities as high priest, he continued to be blessed with life; he had young Samuel doting and waiting on him hand and foot, and he still enjoyed the perks of priesthood. There are levels of blessings, and these levels should motivate us to be thankful, but never satisfied. We should continually reach higher and seek to expand ourselves so that we can be more effective for God’s Kingdom.
Our prayer requests are indicators of our intention to go higher, but the question we must ask ourselves is have we received the vision from God to do so in a way that pleases Him. David, the psalmist wrote in Psalm 24:1-6(NLT) “1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. 2 For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths. 3 Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?4 Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies. 5 They will receive the Lord’s blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior. 6 Such people may seek you and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob.” We cannot make the mistake that Eli made and forget the holiness, omnipotence, and awesomeness of God. Everything in the universe belongs to Him. He has a plan and as His children and joint-heirs with the Lord Jesus Christ, we should do everything in our power to know what God requires of us.
Micah 6:8 (NLT) gives us a template for faithfulness. It says, “No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” There are some things that we do not know or cannot know about God’s plan, but Micah 6:8 gives us more than enough to pray and live with success!
Heavenly Father knows exactly what we’re purposed to do, and sometimes we forget that He will always and forever know best. Reverence and honor for Him must be reflected through our commitment to trust His Word. This is the faithfulness that lays the groundwork to receive revelation and vision, so that our prayers are more about what we can do to please Him than how we can please ourselves. That’s how we pray with vision.■
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.
“Pray with Vision” written by Reverend Fran Mack, edited by Kim Times for Sundie Morning Sistas ©2018. All rights reserved. All done to the glory of God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! SMS is dedicated to inspiring and encouraging Christian Women through the Word of God.
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