Derek Smith, Lead Pastor LHBC
2 Kings 6:8-17
Once when the king of Syria was warring against Israel, he took counsel with his servants, saying, “At such and such a place shall be my camp.” 9 But the man of God sent word to the king of Israel, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are going down there.”10 And the king of Israel sent to the place about which the man of God told him. Thus he used to warn him, so that he saved himself there more than once or twice. 11 And the mind of the king of Syria was greatly troubled because of this thing, and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me who of us is for the king of Israel?” 12 And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.” 13 And he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and seize him.” It was told him, “Behold, he is in Dothan.” 14 So he sent there horses and chariots and a great army, and they came by night and surrounded the city. 15 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?” 16 He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 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.
A lady named Judy rushed in to see her doctor, and she was extremely worried and all stressed out. She rattles off, “Doctor, take a look at me. When I woke up this morning, I looked at myself in the mirror and saw my hair all wiry and frazzled up, my skin was all wrinkled and pasty, my eyes were bloodshot and bugging out, and I had this corpse-like look on my face! What’s wrong with me, Doctor?”
The doctor looks her over for a couple of moments, then calmly says, “Well, I can tell you that there ain’t nothing wrong with your eyesight.”
Eyesight is pretty important. Whether it’s looking in the mirror, driving down the road, or trying to read a book or document, being able to see is paramount. If you cannot hear that’s very hard, but at least you can learn sign language or read someone’s handwriting and still communicate. If you can’t see then you don’t know what that beautiful sunset looks like. You can’t see the joyful expression on your spouse’s face. You can’t take in that majestic mountain view, or melt over the countenance of your child. Eyesight is essential to independent living because it allows you the privilege to see both the blessings and the dangers right in front of you.
May I suggest that spiritual eyesight is even more important. Elisha and his servant are surrounded by the Syrian army who is there to arrest and possibly execute them. The servant looks up and sees the same thing that I would have seen, an impossible situation and insurmountable odds. He sees an unconquerable army and two unqualified and unequipped men. There was no way that he and Elisha could defend themselves against such an attack. Here’s the thing: they didn’t have to. God had an entire angel army surrounding their enemies ready to attack. God was perfectly in control in this situation, and He was already protecting them in a supernatural way. However, the servant couldn’t see what Elisha could see. Why? Because he wasn’t looking with eyes of faith. When the Lord opened his eyes and he began to see with eyes of faith, everything changed.
We don’t need 20-20 vision, we need 24-7 vision; 24-7 spiritual vision that is. When we turn from sin and trust in Christ we are born again, and the Lord gives us the ability to see with eyes of faith if we will simply choose to. Instead of seeing that impossible situation, look at it today with eyes of faith. Instead of seeing an impossible person to work or get along with, see with eyes of faith. Instead of casting all hope to the wayside because you’ve tried to no avail, see now with eyes of faith. Trust fully and completely in Christ and His ability to rewrite the script. Remember our enemy is great, but greater is He who is in us than He who is in the world. No attack of the enemy will ever eternally harm us because Jesus always saves His children. This body may fail, but I will live eternally with Jesus, so look beyond the moment to His movement.
Ask God today to help you see things spiritually. See that co-worker through spiritual eyes. See the situation through the lens of faith. Look for what God is doing instead of what man is doing or not doing. God is always at work and is always up to something, but we must look with eyes of faith to see it. So, put on your spiritual glasses today and see with 24-7 heavenly vision.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Heavenly Father, it is hard for me to see you at work around me sometimes. I often lack the faith to believe you are in control. Today, Lord help me see with eyes of faith. Help me see what you are doing in and around me so that I may be an effective witness for You. In Jesus name, amen.
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God