How was your Independence Day yesterday? Hopefully you enjoyed it. Our family relaxed, barbecued and later in the evening went out to see the fireworks. They were glorious, especially the grand finale that lit up the sky with colorful blazes of light in rapid succession.

Annually, the brightness of the lights mixed with the big booms always create a thrill and adrenaline rush. It never gets old, no matter how many time I see the fireworks.

With twinkling eyes, I find myself saying “Ooh” like a big kid, grinning widely.

As I sat there last evening, I thought about how, whenever we watch the fireworks, we see them before we hear them, right?

First comes the light. Then comes the boom.

As we learned in grade school, light travels at a higher speed than sound. But in our walk with God, it works the opposite way: we hear the word before we see it manifest. In the Kingdom, we hear it in the spirit before we see it in the natural.

The “sound,” which is the word of God, gets there faster than the “light,” which is the visible manifestation of that word. Romans 4:17 gives us a great example of this. It explains how God told Abraham “I have made you the father of many nations,” even before he had any children. Yet, Abraham believed God who calls into existence the things that do not exist. The King James Version of this verse says God “calleth those things which be not as though they were.”

Don't get discouraged when what you are believing God for doesn’t show up right away.  It’s like when God told Elisha’s fearful servant in 2 Kings 6:16 not to be afraid when King Aram’s mighty army had them surrounded because, “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

Though the servant heard that word from the man of God, he couldn’t see any evidence of its truth. It appeared that he and Elisha were all alone and in a mess they couldn’t get out of safely. It all began when, according to 2 Kings 6:8-22, the King of Aram was waging war against Israel. Every time he tried to ambush them, the Lord would reveal Aram’s plans to the prophet Elisha, who would tell the King of Israel what was in the works.

This divinely called and anointed informant helped the Israelites continually dodge the attacks and avoid traps. The King of Aram got so frustrated, he thought he had a traitor in his kingdom leaking secrets. Finally, when the king learned that God’s servant Elisha was to blame, he was bent on shutting him down. So this powerful monarch sent horses and chariots under the cover of night to surround Dothan, the place where Elisha was staying.

The next morning, when Elisha’s servant saw that they were surrounded, it appeared to be a perfectly executed ambush. He panicked.

In verse 17, Elisha prayed that God would show his servant the light by opening his eyes to the truth. And you know what God did? He answered Elisha. The Bible says the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

I’ve told you before that, in this scripture, that word “see” is the Hebrew word raah (raw-aw'). In some contexts, it just means natural eyesight. But here, it deals with prophetic sight into the spiritual realm. It means miraculous vision. So then, Elisha prayed that God would give his servant supernatural vision to see into the realm of the unseen.

With his natural sight, the servant saw that they were surrounded by a host of enemies. But with his raah—miraculous vision—he saw that they were surrounded by an even bigger host of divine allies.

They were surrounded by God’s favor, protection and blessings. So are you! I know it might not look like it, but God is with you, working on your behalf. The enemy seems to be winning, but you are victorious through Christ.

Friend, in the Kingdom, there will be plenty of times when you have a positive word that doesn’t line up with your negative circumstances. You’ll hear the promise before you see it in reality. But don’t let that discourage you. Instead, ask God to open your eyes and show you the truth.

The truth is, you are surrounded by favor. You are marked and singled out for blessings. You are being prepared to reap a great harvest. At this moment, you may only be able to hear this word and not see it; but I decree that God is changing that. You’re about to see a shift in your circumstances. You will receive confirmation that you are surrounded by favor. Miracles will flow. Hindrances will be removed. Doors will open. A new season will emerge.

If, lately, you have been discouraged because you don’t yet see what you heard, your blinders are coming off. You will see what God said come to pass, because He has chosen, favored and marked you.

To remind you of this truth, I’m stirring Psalm 5:12 NIV into your cup of inspiration, which says, “Surely, LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.”

As you drink down the contents of your cup, begin to declare, “I am blessed, favored and chosen.” I also challenge you to see your situation through the lens of God’s word. This is what, in fact, shifts your perspective.

Through this lens, you will instantly see that you are victorious through Christ Jesus; your body is healed; lack is replaced by abundance; every need is met; greater things are on the way; you are surrounded by favor.

Now let’s pray.

God, I thank You that my outcome will align with Your word. Though I do not see what You said happening yet, I do not doubt You. Rather, I wait in anticipation for the day when what You told me about my future and destiny will manifest. In the meantime, I will rejoice like I’ve already got it because I believe and know, it is already done. Thank You for the manifestation that’s on the way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.