Invisible One

By faith [Moses] left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel. (Hebrews 11:20-31)

A stained-glass window from Galway Cathedral, depicting some of the unseen realm.

A couple of years ago I was praying with a friend, whose father died not long before. She told me how her sister and mother visited a medium and had “called up” her father. Being fairly new in her faith, my friend was unsure whether this was really her father or not.

She and I spoke about the unseen realm, and how Satan uses his powers to make otherwise unexplainable things happen. I warned that things like mediums and horoscopes are his tool. Having edited a book about a woman who nearly committed suicide after being embroiled in the occult, I told my friend of the dark power of these tools, but also of our God’s ultimate victory. (And I know I’m being controversial in making such statements…)

Our passage today reminds us of God’s power in the unseen realm. When God first called Moses to be his leader, Moses was reticent and fearful, saying that Pharaoh wouldn’t listen to him.  Over time, Moses’ faith was built strong and firm as he witnessed God’s faithfulness through plague after plague on the Egyptians, when Pharaoh wouldn’t let the Israelites go. Finally by the time of this tenth plague of the firstborn, Moses knew without a doubt that God was real, even though Moses couldn’t see him.

I sometimes wonder why God had to send so many plagues, especially when he kept hardening Pharaoh’s heart time after time. Maybe it was partly to show Moses that he was faithful and in control. To hone Moses’ leadership skills and teach him to follow God so that he could in turn lead God’s people.

My friend’s father loved Jesus, so one day she will be reunited with him in heaven. May she, like Moses, persevere because she sees the one who is invisible. And may our eyes be open to see his face this day.

Have you come in contact with things of the occult? Consider how you can know when spiritual practices are from God or from the evil one.