The Power of Observation

Proverbs says, "Where there is no revelation the people perish"(Proverbs 29:18). What the verse is saying is without an accurate vision of reality the way forward for any person, organization or nation is perilous. Deep trouble lies ahead without the ability to accurately see reality plainly in front of our face.

This verse came to mind as I have been reading comments on the death of world famous techno-thriller author Tom Clancy. Mr. Clancy died on October 1 at age 66. His novels over the last thirty years sold millions, defined an entire genre and spawned several movies. I read all of his early works and admit to being captivated by his style, his characters and the way he told a story. Mr. Clancy found his calling late in life after a fist career as an insurance salesman. He was said to have been able to write about military technology, espionage and tactics merely by reading, studying and listening to those who had the experience. To this tried and true work ethic he applied the one skill referenced in the Proverb quoted above. Clancy had the ability to connect the dots of the world that was and discern behavior in advance. His hard work led to "revelation" or a vision of what lay ahead.

In one of his novels he told of a hijacked commercial 747 airliner being flown down the Mall in Washington D.C. straight into the United States House of Representatives and killing the President and a good portion of the government's leadership. When something close to this happened on 9/11 those who had read "Debt of Honor" were stunned at how the fictional story mirrored the terrifying events of that day. Tom Clancy applied his writing craft with not only hard work–reading, studying and listening–he also added the dimension of vision. In this case it was connecting all the dots to arrive at a conclusion of what might happen, the consequences of actions and policy.

I take a lesson from this. Read, study, listen. Then think through to "what might happen if this continues on to a logical conclusion?" God gives us the teaching and examples in the Bible for us to read and from which to learn. Study the Bible and be familiar with its teaching and rich wisdom. Listen to what God tells us through this book that has been distilled from millennia of experience.

We are not without a revelation in clear language right in front of us. We don't need any special prophetic vision to see how to live productively and successfully. We can avoid mistakes by applying ourselves to a diligent study of God and His word. The Bible is God's revelation for us that we might not perish.