The Gift of Faith is to see what is invisible and beyond the present time frame.
See with insight: God challenged Joshua to see the victory with the eyes of faith. “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valour. “(Joshua 6:2) With his physical eyes, he was seeing the fortified walls, watch towers, huge gates, and also men patrolling the walls. The spies who went to the city of Jericho, protected by Rahab, also described the fortifications to Joshua. It was an intimidating structure for the Israelites, who had spent forty years in the wilderness. Putting off all these from his mind, Joshua had to see the victory promised.
Promise of God: Eyes of faith see the future, based on the Promise of God. Joshua should rekindle his faith, as he stood with Caleb, encouraging people to possess the Land. (Number 13:30)
Clear vision: Eyes of faith could see with clarity. The Lord commanded His disciples to ‘look at the field,’ or ‘lift your eyes and see.’ (John 4:35) Eyes of faith could see that the harvest is ripe and ready for harvest. Without faith, the disciples could give excuses that the time had not come, or it was not ripe.
Purpose: Eyes of faith could see the purpose. God is Sovereign over the history and geography of this world. He uses individuals, families, communities, and nations to fulfil His ultimate purpose of redeeming the world and judging Satan and the wicked. With the eyes of faith, a believer could know and grasp God’s perspective.
Time: Eyes of faith could see that the time had come for God to fulfil the promise. Joshua had to begin preparation of his priests to carry the Ark of the Covenant, blow trumpets, while soldiers marched in front and at the back of the procession.
Protection: Eyes of faith could see the invisible protection. Elisha was surrounded by angels in the chariots of fire, which his servant could not see. (II Kings 6:17)
Do I look at the world with my spiritual eyes open?