Casting The Vision Series

The book of Joshua is about the Israelites doing battle to possess the land of Canaan; and by this point in the book, Joshua had already initiated the process of claiming the Promised Land and establishing new territory for the Lord. We can actually apply what we learn from the book of Joshua to claiming “spiritual territory,” as we set out to lead people to faith in Christ; as we lead a Bible study or a Sunday school class; or even as we work toward growing a church.

As we begin leading other believers to stake their spiritual claim, so to speak, we must be aware that the toil and strain can begin taking a toll on many who share in the vision and serve. Doing spiritual battle can lead to fatigue and even discouragement. Therefore, we must continually recast the vision of the Promised Land to strengthen and motivate people to keep pressing on. Proverbs wisely cautions, “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18 KJV).

For example, when Nehemiah was overseeing the task of reconstructing the wall of Jerusalem, the people became tired and weary halfway through. This midway point was twenty-six days into the project; and at this crucial time, Nehemiah was compelled to recast the vision, reminding the people of the significance of their work and reassuring them that God would help them accomplish it. From this account, Rick Warren derives what he calls the “Nehemiah Principle,” which holds that vision and purpose must be restated every twenty-six days in order to keep people confidently moving in the right direction.(1)

The American Standard Version states, “Where there is no vision, the people cast off restraint.” Vision establishes the “restraint” or “parameters” in which God’s people will move forward. If we fail to communicate vision, then those whom we lead will be deprived of purpose and direction. This will result in confusion and shattered enthusiasm, and sometimes the abandonment of the calling and mission. Bill Hybels says that “a clear vision provides a compelling picture of the future that enables us to say, ‘We know our destination. Nothing will lure us off the path from here to there. We will not be distracted’.”(2)

Time of Worship and Devotion (Joshua 8:30-32)

30 Now Joshua built an altar to the LORD God of Israel in Mount Ebal, 31 as Moses the servant of the LORD had commanded the children of Israel, as it is written in the Book of the Law of Moses: “An altar of whole stones over which no man has wielded an iron tool.” And they offered on it burnt offerings to the LORD, and sacrificed peace offerings. 32 And there, in the presence of the children of Israel, he wrote on the stones a copy of the Law of Moses, which he had written.

Now, obviously, a vision can only be communicated after having received one. There are two important things to understand about receiving a vision from the Lord. First, we receive a vision in response to our worship. Israel offered “burnt offerings to the Lord, and sacrificed peace offerings” upon an altar of stones (v. 31), indicating that the people were immersed in the worship of God. While the people worshipped, the Lord simultaneously shared with Joshua the Law of Moses, which he recorded on stone tablets. The Law served as the guiding principles by which to live; therefore, the Law was the vision for the nation of Israel.

Listen as I read something from Daniel chapter 9. Daniel stated, “Now while I was speaking, praying, and confessing my sin . . . and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God, yes, while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel . . . being caused to fly swiftly, reached me about the time of the evening offering. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, ‘O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you skill to understand. At the beginning of your supplications the command went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are greatly beloved; therefore, consider the matter, and understand the vision’” (Daniel 9:20-23). So, similar to Joshua and the Israelites, the prophet Daniel received a vision from the Lord (or rather, understanding of a vision) in response to his worship as he prayed and confessed his sin.

Any leader who is seeking a vision from God must start with worship. This is done by such things as spending quiet time alone with the Lord, confessing our sins, offering up thanksgiving, singing His praises, and praying and meditating on His Word. Hybels states, “When I talk to a leader who is hesitant or unclear about his or her vision I ask the following questions: Have you yielded yourself fully enough to God? . . . Have you fasted? Have you prayed? Have you been quiet and waited on God in solitude? Have you cleaned up sinful patterns in your life?”(3)