Today we’re going to look at vision from a Spiritual perspective. By that I mean, looking at vision strictly in relationship to Spiritual understanding. Today’s Bible Journaling verse is Proverbs 29:18, “Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, But happy is he who keeps the law.” (NASB) The King James Version says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish’ but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” The NIV says, “Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.”
In J. Vernon McGee’s Commentary on Proverbs, he says that “Vision’ is actually spiritual understanding. It is the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer to give him understanding of the word of God.’” The Hebrew word for vision is “Chazown” and it means a vision, oracle, or prophecy of divine communication. When our pastors preach, they can give forth divine communication. Vision is a mode of revelation.
Without vision, an understanding of God’s Word, we walk in chaos. Our verse today says that without a vision the people are unrestrained. We see so much of that in our society today. It is much like it was in Micah’s day, “In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” There is no Spiritual knowledge or understanding and everyone does what “feels right.”
For us to walk in a manner that gives God glory and honor, we need to be students of His Word. II Timothy 2:15 says, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (KJV) Digging into the Bible helps us to gain understanding and live according to its precepts, and brings peace, joy, and happiness.
When we study God’s Word, we bury it deep into our hearts, minds, and the very spirit of our being. We make it a part of ourselves. God will reveal His desires for us through His Word and through the preaching of the Gospel, and we find a life of order and peace, and we are walking in the pathway He has set before us.
In I Samuel 3:1, the Bible tells us that when Samuel was a young boy, he “ministered unto the Lord before Eli. And the word of the Lord was precious in those days; there was no open vision.” (KJV) When God’s word is given in an atmosphere where there is no understanding, then God must appoint someone to give the understanding. God raised up Samuel to meet the need of declaring God’s Word.
We see today in countries where God’s Word is scarce and preaching is condemned, the hearing and reading of the Word of God are precious. People cherish a Bible in their hands, whether it’s the full book or just a page because it is not readily available for them to read or own. They treasure it. We too should treasure the Bible, the hearing of God’s Word, and the preaching of the truth. Spiritual understanding helps us to “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” (II Peter 3:18 KJV)
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