Proverbs 29:18 (KJV): Without vision (revelation), My people perish.
The word 'vision' here is pronounced as 'khawzaw' in Hebrew, which also means 'to perceive, to have a vision of, prophetic vision/revelation, see, sight, spiritual insight'.
"Pastor, what then is the difference between revelation and resolution?"
'Revelation' is about "He will..., He will..., He will...", whereas 'resolution' is about "I will..., I will..., I will..."
How many of us have made new year resolutions like these before?
"I will go to gym in the morning 4 times a week without fail this year!"
"I will wake up at 5am every morning to read Bible & pray this year!"
"I will spend 3 hours with God in the morning everyday this year!"
Notice the words "I will..." here.
And then, lo and behold, one or two weeks later (or for some, one or two days later), especially on a nice cold rainy morning, and as your alarm clock began to ring, all you wanted to do then was just to snuggle up under your warm, cosy blanket in bed instead, and you gave in!
We are a people of revelation, not resolution! When I say 'resolution' here, I'm talking about self-made resolution by one's own human strength or effort. Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not against people making new year resolutions. But today, I choose to speak about God's vision/revelation.
See, it's one thing to strive to achieve your self-imposed resolution, but it's another thing when God is the one speaking to you what you are to do. One is about "I will...", but the other is about "He will do it through me..." One is about self-effort and self-imposed pressure, but the other is effortless and easy. Another difference is God's 'khawzaw' for you will last and remain till the end, but 'self-created' resolutions may not.
People of God, this is the time to receive God's vision/revelation. God is still in the 'business' of releasing His specific instructions for specific situations to His people. What it takes is a heart that hears! He is still (and will always be) the Lord who speaks, and that's exactly how He's going to lead you to your victories and breakthroughs this year! Make no mistake about it. In other words, without God's specific instruction (or revelation), we cannot go far.
So, we are here not trying to create resolutions (like the people in the world do), but we are here to receive His revelation for our year ahead! This is what makes you different from the world. As a believer, you are indeed a peculiar people (KJV), His own special people, set apart as a holy nation, a chosen generation, and a royal priesthood, who once were not, but are now the people of God (see 1 Peter 2:9-10).
Just as the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, and what ought not to do (see 1 Chronicles 12:32), so should God's people today!
As King David consulted the Lord and the captains of the army (see 1 Chronicles 13:2), there's every likelihood that the sons of Issachar were also some of those whom he consulted. I believe that's also how King David received God's timely revelation (& confirmation) on what Israel ought to do then. You see, there could be 101 things for King David to do then, but what he did next was to call for the ark of the covenant (representing God's glory and God's leadership) to be brought back!
Note that in their first attempt to bring back the ark, they failed (1 Chronicles 13:9-10). But as they followed God's specific instructions and specific patterns (1 Chronicles 15:2) in their second attempt, the ark finally was successfully placed where it should be (1 Chronicles 16:1). From then on, the Lord made a covenant with David (1 Chronicles 17), and began to lead Israel to many more great victories and breakthroughs (1 Chronicles 18).
See how one specific revelation led to so many other blessings?
Thank God for a hearing heart in King David! He has indeed caught in the spirit what Israel ought to do then, instead of trying to figure out what they ought to do by his own human wisdom, intelligence, or strength. Without revelation, God's people perish! But thank God where King Saul had failed, King David made it right (see 1 Chronicles 13:3). Israel would definitely not be who they were, if not for God's timely revelation! And that's how important 'khawzaw' is to God's people!
People of God, it's one thing to try (or strive) hard to make things happen by your own self-effort, but it's another thing to let Him make things happen through you, a ready vessel who's humble enough and who's willing to hear and act on His specific instructions (or revelation).
"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit... (1 Corinthians 2:9-10).
May you also see many more great victories and breakthroughs this year. Amen!
