What You See Is What You Get
By Egoe Seth Gogo

What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) is term used in the late 1960s and was later adopted in Computing. According to Wikipedia "WYSIWYG implies a user interface that allows the user to view something very similar to the end result while the document is being created."

It should be noted that the actual meaning of this term depends on the user’s perspective. This brings to mind what transpired in the Bible when the 12 spies were sent to search out the land of Canaan (Numbers 13 & 14). Out of the 12 spies who were sent to search the land, 10 reported that "we are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we. And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which came of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight" (Numbers 13:31,34).

Isn’t it amazing the report of these 10 spies? Apart from they seeing themselves as grasshoppers, they went a step further by believing that the enemies saw them likewise.

So whiles they see themselves as grasshoppers in the sight of their enemies, Joshua and Caleb saw a different thing and different situation altogether. "…they are bread for us: their defence is departed from them, and the LORD is with us: fear them not" (Numbers 14:9).

So brethren all the 12 spies saw that land was good (that’s a fact) but 10 said the people in the land would overcome them if they were to attempt conquering the land (that’s their opinion). They looked at their strength and looked at the size of the enemy and they said "No. This is not possible". And it is true that with their strength they cannot overcome the enemy.

But Joshua and Caleb saw a different picture. They saw the enemy as bread for them. They saw an opportunity for God to demonstrate His power. They said within themselves "with men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible" (Matt. 19:26).

Brethren, it is true that what we see is what we get. In other words, what you believe is what you get – that’s faith. When we focus on the situation we miss the mark, but when we focus on God in the situation we hit the mark. Have faith in God and leave the rest of your troubles in the hands of Him and He will take it from there.

May the peace of God which passes all understanding guide and keep your hearts!