The Air Force’s “God’s Eye View”

[Today’s article is from a former member of my church in Colorado Springs, Major Michael Craig, USAF, Retired.]

“Aerial combat is one of the most difficult missions for which an Air Force fighter pilot must train. Mastering the skills involved takes many years and countless training flights. For several decades combat aircrews have relied upon an amazing training tool called Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation or simply, ‘ACMI’ to the aircrew. In this high-tech training system, all aircraft participating in a given training exercise carry a wing-mounted pod that uses Global Positioning Satellite information along with onboard aircraft systems data to constantly track the aircraft’s whereabouts and weapon systems information. The pod ‘knows’ and records not only the aircraft’s position in three-dimensional space, but which way it is pointed, up-down, north-south-east-west. It knows when the pilot fires a simulated missile and what type of missile was fired. Because the other aircraft involved are carrying similar pods, the system knows if the missile was fired within range or too far away. Using the speed and relative position of the two aircraft, it even calculates how long it takes the virtual missile to reach its target and whether the missile would have likely ‘killed’ the target.

“Observers back at the airbase, can even watch all the ACMI action on video screens in real time, but more often, the system is used by the participating aircrew to debrief the mission in great detail after landing. They can select the digital ‘view’ from the cockpit of any aircraft involved. They can fast-forward, rewind, slow the action down, select another view and watch it again. They can see the view from their ‘adversary’s’ cockpit and dissect any mistakes they made—figure out why they got ‘shot down’ or how they were able to escape. One of the more useful viewpoint options available in the ACMI system is from far above the melee taking place below. One can observe the ‘big picture’ of all the players—how well one flight of aircraft is performing against their adversaries. Are they seeing everything that is coming against them? Are they employing the correct offensive and defensive tactics? Did they miss the one ‘bandit’ sneaking in behind them? It can be wonderfully enlightening (and humbling). Interestingly, this overhead, all-seeing view is known to these combat aviators as ‘The God’s Eye View.’

“Ah, if only. If only we could see our lives that way—The God’s Eye View—not simply depending on our own two eyes. We could see the trouble out ahead—how the enemy is arrayed against us. Our adversary could never sneak up from behind (or below, or above, or in our blind spot). But, in some respects, we can see from God’s perspective. To the extent we draw near to the heart of our Father, seeking His wisdom, taking time to learn His viewpoint through His word, we will see more of The God’s Eye View.

“By employing the ACMI system, pilots are able to learn from their mistakes before the consequences become potentially fatal in ‘real-world’ combat. Most of us cannot prepare for our clashes with the enemy that way, but we have the means to gain a higher perspective and a more Godly view of the battles we face.”

“The eyes of the Lord are in every place, watching the evil and the good.” (Proverbs 15:3; NASB)

Give Him 15 minutes in prayer:

• Intercede for the United States Air Force, thanking God that they patrol the skies and protect our nation, at home and abroad.
• Consider the story about the incredible ACMI navigation system. Ask the Lord to reveal the comparison to you of His watching over us in a similar fashion.
• Consider Proverbs 15:3, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, watching the evil and the good.” If man can conceive of something like the ACMI, does this story help your faith increase, so you can really “see” that He is all-seeing and all-knowing? Rejoice that He is Jehovah Shammah – The God that is there!
• Read Ephesians 2:1-6, “Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else. But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.”
• Pray Ephesians 1:18-21, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.” 
• Tell the Lord You want to see what Jesus sees from His vantage point as you intercede for the nation. His view is perfect and complete.

A prayer you can pray:

Father, we thank you for the United States Air Force. We are so thankful for those who have chosen to protect our nation by patrolling and warring from the skies above us. Thank you for the technology that the Air Force has continually developed for that purpose.  By employing the ACMI system, pilots are able to learn from their mistakes before the consequences become potentially fatal in ‘real-world’ combat. Most of us cannot prepare for our clashes with the enemy that way, but we have the means to gain a higher perspective and a more Godly view of the battles we face. Help us see our lives that way—The God’s Eye View—not simply depending on our own two eyes. We want to  see the trouble out ahead—how the enemy is arrayed against us, so our adversary cannot sneak up from behind (or below, or above, or in our blind spot). 

Thank you for this explanation of a natural system that helps us understand Your view and Your desire for us to work with You in this same way. Your Word tells us in Ephesians that Jesus was raised from the dead and seated at Your right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. Then, You raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with Christ in the heavenly realms because we are united with Him. Therefore, we know that to the extent we draw near to the heart of You, Father,, seeking Your wisdom, taking time to learn Your viewpoint through Your word, we will see more of The God’s Eye View. May our spiritual battles be won more effectively and may our lives as Believers ever glorify the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, amen.

Today’s decree:

The Ekklesia are gaining “God’s Eye View”,  a more accurate view of the spiritual battles we face.