Open Our Eyes, Lord

Open Our Eyes, Lord

I have always loved the story in 2 Kings 6:8-23. It is the story of the king of Aram pursuing the prophet Elisha. They weren’t looking for Elisha to encourage him. They were mad. They found out that Elisha was in Dothan so they sent an army there to capture him. They surrounded the city and was about to capture him. Now look at what happens:

“When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. ‘Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?’ the servant asked. ‘Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed, ‘Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” 2 Kings 6:15-17

The enemy is still trying to blind people of faith and have them retreat in fear when they are the true victors. In the long run, fear will defeat the strongest Christian.

There’s more to the story. When Elisha prayed, he did not pray for the Lord to kill his enemy. He prayed for the Lord to blind them and not recognize who he was. Elisha then sent them looking for him in Samaria. They then would have their eyes opened to see that they were not in pursuit of Elisha but rather in the middle of their enemy. They could have been toast. But God had a bigger plan – feed them and send them on their way. The army who had ill will planned for Elisha is now being fed a feast. It doesn’t quite make sense. After they ate and drank they were sent on their way with no warning or anything.

If I were a part of that army I think I would have either lost my appetite or ate so much that it made me sick. The thought of this being their last meal was not far from many of their minds.

After being released to go home free from harm, I can only imagine the things they were thinking. “They could have killed us. We were like clay in their hands. They didn’t even warn us. I don’t know what to think of that.” This act of kindness only put fear in the army of Aram. It had a sense of the Samaritans being in control. Or should we say it was a reminder that God was in control.

Don’t forget that God is everywhere and He has a host of angels always on guard of those who call Him their Lord. It puts a whole new spin on Hebrews 12:1-2:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes of Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Do you know what Jesus is doing at the right hand of God? He is interceding for us right now. God is for us and He is more powerful than anything the enemy can bring at us.

When the army returned to Aram it says in 2 Kings 6:23b: “that the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel’s territory.” Doing things God’s way has a lasting impression.

Be encouraged today and pray that you will see what God is doing all around you. Do not fear for God is with you.

This Sunday we will celebrate Pentecost Sunday. God is not only all around us but He is all through us. It will be good to come together and allow the Spirit of God to work in and through our relationships. Don’t forget that our second service will begin at 10:45 a.m. Use the time in between the two services to connect with new people and others you haven’t seen for a while.

Joy in Jesus!

Pastor Mike