Awakening Spiritual Vision in Turbulent Times
Introduction
The capacity to see prophetically is not simply the privilege of a chosen few. It is the invitation extended to all who yearn to discern the movements of God beyond the natural. We live in an era filled with uncertainty, upheaval, and daily news of injustice. The need to cultivate eyes that see beyond the surface is more urgent than ever. “Look at the nations and watch—and be utterly amazed. I am going to do something in your days. You would not believe it, even if you were told,” the Lord declares through the Prophet Habakkuk (Hab. 1:5). This charge compels us to awaken our spiritual senses. We should perceive not only what God has done. We must also recognize what God is actively orchestrating in our midst.
The Prophetic Vision of Habakkuk
Habakkuk lived in a time when injustice and wrongdoing seemed rampant. Despair crept into the hearts of those who longed for righteousness. His complaint to God—”Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?”—echoes with the pain of all who witness evil and wonder at God’s silence. Yet, God’s answer is profound: “Look at the nations and watch—and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told” (Hab. 1:1-5). God’s perspective is always higher, always deeper, stretching across epochs and boundaries, unimpeded by human limitation.
God remains sovereign, setting boundaries and judging nations (Psalm 75:7; Acts 17:26; Romans 13:1). Though humanity presume upon prosperity or believe calamity will not touch their generation, God is neither blind nor indifferent. The Old Testament prophets often struggled with the widespread ungodliness they observed. It troubled them even more when those claiming to know the truth acted in ungodly ways. Their lament and intercession remind us that spiritual sight does not shelter us from heartbreak. Instead, it propels us toward hope and resolve.
Spiritual Blindness and the Call to Discernment
Scripture is replete with examples of God’s people struggling to see, hear, and understand His movements. Isaiah prophesied, “‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving'” (Isaiah 6:9). The children of Israel had access to God’s words and wonders. Despite this, they often closed their eyes. They also hardened their hearts (Jeremiah 5:21; Ezekiel 12:2; Matthew 13:15; Acts 28:27; Romans 11:8).
Jesus, recognizing the spiritual dullness of those around Him, taught in parables. He hinted at the mystery of the Kingdom. It was hidden from those with unteachable hearts. Everyone who listens with an open heart will receive more revelation. They will eventually have more than enough. But those who don’t listen with an open, teachable heart will lose even the understanding they think they have. That’s why I teach the people using parables. They think they’re looking for truth. Yet because their hearts are unteachable, they never discover it.” (Matthew 13:12-14).
The challenge is clear: Many live by what their eyes see in the natural. They never perceive the reality God wishes to reveal. Without spiritual vision, life is confined to the visible and the temporal.
Strengthening Our Foundation
This message was first penned several years ago and remains relevant. Today, as believers, we must nourish ourselves on the Word of God, making it the staple of our lives. Only then can we position ourselves to hear, perceive, and respond to what God is doing in the current hour. Early in 2020, the Lord spoke a piercing word: “My people do not know my ways. They do not have a solid foundation of the Word.” This conviction led to a series entitled “Building On A Solid Foundation: Wise Or Foolish Builders.” It is a call to root our lives deeply in divine truth.
The men of Issachar are noteworthy in this regard. They understood the times. They knew what Israel should do (1 Chronicles 12:32). Discernment is not merely intellectual; it is spiritual insight that leads to wise action. The Apostle Paul prayed for the church at Ephesus. He wanted the “eyes of their heart to be enlightened.” This enlightenment enables believers to grasp the hope, inheritance, and power that God has bestowed (Ephesians 1:18-2).
Seeing Beyond the Natural
To “see prophetically” is to look beyond the veil of circumstance and apprehend the reality of the Spirit. Paul prayed for a supernatural illumination. It was a flooding of the imagination with divine light. He wanted the fullness of Christ’s calling and the riches of God’s inheritance to be revealed. This is not wishful thinking; it is the birthright of those born from above.
Many today remain darkened in their understanding. They are separated from the life of God due to ignorance and hardened hearts (Ephesians 4:18-19). Sensitivity to the Holy Spirit is lost, and spiritual truth is eclipsed by sensuality and greed. The consequences are evident in the moral decline of cultures and societies that have drifted from God’s standard of righteousness.
God’s Eyes Are Upon the Righteous
God’s promise endures despite the prevailing darkness. “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry;” (Psalm 34:15). Believers are summoned to stand for righteousness and truth, especially when it is difficult. God watches over those who do what is right; His ears are open to their cries for help.
Growing in Spiritual Maturity
Spiritual maturity is not accidental—it is the result of persistent practice and interaction with the supernatural. “The mature, through practice, have their senses trained to discern good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14). As we pursue God, we engage with His Word and Spirit. Our spiritual senses become keener. Distinguishing the counterfeit from the genuine becomes second nature.
We are called to live in the Spirit realm just as naturally as we do in the physical world. We should also see and hear in the Spirit realm in the same way. Supernatural living is not an anomaly but our inheritance. The more we interact with the spiritual, the more adept we become at navigating life’s complexities. We do so with wisdom, strength, and discernment.
The Unbelievable Work of God
Habakkuk 1:5 stands as an enduring reminder: God is always at work, often in ways that defy expectations and comprehension. His decision to use the Babylonians—a fierce and pagan people—as instruments of judgment on Judah shocked Habakkuk and his contemporaries. God’s ways seem strange, even alarming, but they are always purposeful and rooted in His sovereignty and justice.
Even in the face of overwhelming opposition, as described in Habakkuk 1:1-11, God’s servants are reassured. Though evil prospers for a season and violence fill the land, God’s long-suffering is not weakness but mercy. The day will come when justice is reckoned, and cries for righteousness are answered.
A Prayer for Enlightened Eyes
My hope for you is that the eyes of your heart are opened wide and filled with light. This will allow you to perceive the quiet workings of the Divine. May you remain undisturbed by the world’s turmoil, steadfast and clear. May mercy, peace, and love overflow within you as you journey toward deeper spiritual insight and discernment.
Conclusion
Eyes that see prophetically are eyes trained to look past the immediate. They recognize the activity of God in every circumstance. They also anchor hope in His promises. In this hour, we must cultivate hearts and minds sensitive to the Spirit. We should be prepared not only to witness but to join in the remarkable work God is doing. This is true even if it is hard to believe. Let us keep watch over the nations, over our communities, and over our own hearts. We must be utterly amazed and ever ready to respond to the One who sees all. He knows all and is always moving among us.
Minister A. Francine Green
September 2025
afrancinegreen.com 