What Does The Lord Want Us To See By Faith?

Good Morning, Friends,

Faith always begins before sight. Pistis in Greek means faith, but its depth is far richer than the English word suggests. At its core, Pistis carries the idea of trust born from being persuaded. It implies a fidelity of trustworthiness. God often leads us into moments where we must trust Him first, and only then do we begin to perceive what He is doing. Today’s question flows right out of that reality: What does the Lord want us to see by faith?

Scripture Summaries

Acts 16:22–34

Paul and Silas are beaten, imprisoned, and chained. Yet at midnight they pray and sing hymns. A violent earthquake opens every door and breaks every chain. The jailer, assuming escape, prepares to take his life, but Paul stops him. Trembling, the jailer asks, “What must I do to be saved?” Paul answers, “Believe in the Lord Jesus.” That night the jailer washes their wounds, receives the gospel, and he and his whole household are baptized with joy.

John 16:5–11

Jesus tells His disciples that His departure is for their good. Only then will the Advocate—the Holy Spirit—come. The Spirit will expose the world’s blindness about sin, reveal true righteousness in Christ’s return to the Father, and announce the defeat of the evil one.

Genesis 28:15–17

Jacob, fleeing in fear, dreams of a ladder reaching to heaven. God promises His presence, protection, and future restoration. Jacob awakens overwhelmed: “Surely the Lord is in this place—and I did not know it!” He calls it the gate of heaven.

Message: Jesus insists that His physical absence is actually our advantage. Why? Because the Holy Spirit can be present in ten thousand places at once—opening hearts, overturning assumptions, and awakening faith where no one expects it. The Philippian jailer is a perfect example. A man hardened by violence and duty suddenly sees what he never saw before: the mercy of God breaking into his darkness. The Spirit helps him see that salvation is not earned but received. Believing becomes seeing. And what he sees—Christ’s grace—spreads to his whole household. Scripture shows this pattern again and again. Jacob sees heaven opened. Stephen sees the Son of Man standing at God’s right hand. At Jesus’ baptism and transfiguration, heaven breaks through. All of these moments point to one truth: Jesus Himself is the gate of heaven. He is the place where God meets us, the One who reveals sin, righteousness, and judgment—and the One who bears judgment so we may receive life.

And So, God wants us to see by faith what we cannot yet see by sight: that Christ is present, that the Spirit is active, that heaven is open, and that salvation is near.

Pray we see by faith that Jesus is the gate of heaven with us now. Pray we trust Him as Savior even when rejected by others. Pray we cling not to breaking news but to the good news of the crucified and risen Christ. Pray we long to see truth and be freed from sin’s curse. Pray we accept that suffering and joy both belong to salvation. Pray we learn that believing differently matters more than trying harder. Pray we ask Jesus to help us see what truly matters. Pray the Spirit opens our eyes even when we feel blind. Pray Christ is vindicated in our beliefs and our lives. Pray we are convicted of sin, convinced of Christ’s righteousness, and confident in His victory. Pray we discover real life in the Spirit’s presence. Pray we walk the way of salvation with courage and hope. Pray our doubts are transformed in God’s presence. Pray we study the Word and glimpse God’s glory in it. Pray heaven’s gate opens over us with blessing upon blessing. Pray we live in the power of the cross, the providence of God, and the companionship of the Spirit.

Blessings, 

John Lawson