Tag: open eyes
Opening Eyes
Scripture reading for July 31: 2 Kings 6:15-17 “When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”
Today’s story involves the prophet Elisha and his helper Gehazi. They were visiting a city in Israel, Dothan, that was surrounded by the Syrian army bent on taking Elisha. Early in the morning, Gehazi went to the city wall and saw the army with their horses and chariots and was filled with fear and alarm as he went back to tell his master about what was happening. His mind was racing trying to figure out how they would escape or survive.
Elisha’s response was one of calm confidence. He stated by faith that there were more of God’s army for them than the enemy that was visible. He simply prayed to the Lord to open Gehazi’s eyes to spiritual reality. As Gehazi’s eyes were given the ability to see in the spiritual realm, he was amazed at the number and power of the angelic army protecting and fighting for them. There was truly many more for them than against them!
How often do we face situations where we feel like we are outnumbered and powerless against an overwhelming enemy, sickness, or disease? It is the enemy’s design to get us into fear and unbelief. We are reminded by this amazing story of spiritual truth. Why not ask, as a man or woman of God, for spiritual insight through the indwelling Holy Spirit? Why not pray in the Holy Spirit, and build yourself up in your holy faith? Jude 20 states, “But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith, and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.”
Prayer: Father God, open my eyes to see Your amazing army of helpers and defenders. Let faith arise for healing and deliverance! Amen!
Feeling out-numbered?
Scripture Reading for April 10: 2nd Kings 4-8
Have you ever been in a situation where you felt you were outnumbered and under-equipped? I loved spending time with my father who was a veteran of World War II. He was drafted in 1941 and spent four years in the Army as a messenger and driver for the officers of the Third Armored Division. He went ashore a few days after D-Day on Normandy beach and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. As he was driving an officer on a mission, he suddenly came upon a German tank. He did a u-turn before his passenger could say a word and beat a path for the cover of his company. As he topped a hill, a shell exploded behind his jeep. He soon passed one of his own tanks who covered him. My father knew what it was like to be in enemy territory and out-numbered! However, there were more for him than against him that day, watching over him!
The Arameans were angry at Elisha, who was warning the king of Israel about their plans of attack. They found out Elisha was staying at Dothan, and came at night and surrounded the city with soldiers, horses and chariots. Elisha’s servant went out the next morning and saw the great army and came back to Elisha alarmed. Elisha prayed that the servant would be able to see all their heavenly help. As this enemy approached, Elisha prayed again, asking the Lord to strike his enemy with blindness. He then led this army to Samaria to the king of Israel and then prayed to open their eyes. God again answered! What a walk of faith to experience God’s abundant help and victory!
God still answers prayer and responds to faith. Do you need fresh vision today? Will you take time to ask the Lord to open your eyes! Confess the truth: “There’s more for me than against me!”
“And Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the Lord opened his servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2nd Kings 6:17
Thankful for Angel Armies!
Scripture reading for April 7th: 2nd Kings 3-6
Key Scriptures: 2nd Kings 6:15-17 “When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early in the morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh 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, “O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full or horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”
Elisha and his servant were being hunted by the Arameans because Elisha was giving information from the Lord to expose their army tactics against Israel. The servant saw the army of the Arameans surrounding their city and went to warn the man of God. Elisha prayed for revelation for his servant and his eyes beheld the invisible reality of the angel armies protecting them!
Rejoicing in God’s protection: God promises us that we are never alone and surely not outnumbered! “You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the one that is in the world.” (1st John 4:4)
More for us than against us!
Scripture Reading for April 11th: 2nd Kings 4-8
I enjoy spending time with my father who is 94 years old and a veteran of World War II. He enjoys telling stories about his time in the service of our country. He was drafted in 1941 and spent 4 years in the Army as a messenger and driver for the officers of the Third Armored Division. He went ashore a few days after D-Day on Normandy beach and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He recently told me how he was driving an officer out in the front lines away from the company when he suddenly came upon a German tank. He did a u-turn before his officer passenger could say a word and beat a path for the cover of his company. As he topped a hill, a shell landed behind his jeep but he soon passed one of his own tanks who covered him. These memories are still vivid for my father who knew what it was like to be in enemy territory and out-manned!
The Arameans were angry at Elisha, who was warning the king of Israel about their plans of attack. They found out Elisha was staying at Dothan, and came at night and surrounded the city with soldiers, horses and chariots. Elisha’s servant went out the next morning and saw the great army and came back to Elisha alarmed. (2nd Kings 6:15) Elisha prayed that the servant would be able to see the forces on their side and his eyes were opened to see more for them than against them! (2nd Kings 6:16-17)
As this enemy approached, Elisha prayed that the Lord strike his enemy with blindness. He then led this blinded army to Samaria to the king of Israel and then prayed to open their eyes. There was more for him than against him! Thankfully, God is no respecter of persons! Do you need fresh vision today? Ask the Lord to open your eyes or those of one you love!
“And Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the Lord opened his servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2nd Kings 6:17)