20/20 Faith Vision {Philip & Nathanael}
As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:9 (NIV)
Have you prayed for something, then received an answer to the prayer that was better than your request?
Philip followed John the Baptist and knew the Old Testament well. He had a ready-to-receive-the-Messiah seeker’s heart. Therefore, when Jesus said to Philip, “Follow Me,” he did so without hesitation (John 1:43).
Philip found Nathanael and told him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’ ‘Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?’ Nathanael asked. ‘Come and see,’ said Philip. When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, ‘Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.’ ‘How do you know me?’ Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, ‘I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.’ Then Nathanael declared, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.’ Jesus said, ‘You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.’ He then added, ‘Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.’ John 1:45-51 (NIV)
Most likely, Nathanael was studying God’s Word while he was sitting under the fig tree. Large trees planted outside of the home were shady, cool places to sit, pray, and study. Even from a distance, Jesus understood Nathanael’s heart. Jesus told Nathanael, a man of integrity, he would see great things.
So, they followed Him.
They knew Jesus was the Messiah (from Old Testament Scriptures as well as present day miracles). They watched Him turn water into wine, yet when Jesus turned to Philip and asked him how they would feed the 5,000 men (John 6:10), Philip continued to look at the facts of the circumstances instead of the truth of God’s word.
When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, ‘Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?’ He asked this only to test him, for he already had in mind what he was going to do.
Philip answered him, ‘It would take more than half a year’s wages to buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!’ John 6: 5-7 (NIV)
Our finite vision cannot comprehend God’s infinite wisdom.
Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. Matthew 17:20
The answer to our prayers is often more than we can imagine, because it’s not of us.
God used five loaves and two fish to feed 5,000 men, and the women, and the children. Philip and Nathanael served the people with the provisions given to them by God.
When God calls you, He empowers you. He gives you everything you need to serve the people around you – right where you are.
God asks us to be available to do His work. He is not worried about our ability. He will provide.
God’s Word promises to:
1. Draw us to Him
No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. John 6:44 (NASB)
2. Empower us
…but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. Acts 1:8 (NASB)
3. Equip us
Now the God of peace… will equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21 (NASB)
When you can’t see with your finite eyes God gives you 20/20 Faith Vision.
God never calls us to do something we’re capable of. God calls us to do things that are beyond our ability so He gets all the credit. Mark Batterson
Maybe you can’t see what God is doing in your life, or the lives of your children.
Begin with prayer and God will exceed your expectations… for that, I am grateful!
For more information on the Twelve Disciples you may want to read:
MacArthur, John. Twelve Ordinary Men: How the Master Shaped His Disciples for Greatness, and What He Wants to Do with You. Nashville, TN: W Pub. Group, 2002. Print.
Basking in His Light
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Praying at the Throne of Grace & Mercy - Basking in His Light
April 24, 2014 at 5:11 pm[…] He calls us, empowers us, and equips us. […]