Open My Eyes

I am currently working my way through the books of Kings and Chronicles. Some of it is pretty boring stuff, some a bit gory, but every now and then there are some real gems.

This morning I was reading how Elisha the prophet had upset the King of Syria because he had forewarned the King of Israel as to where the Syrian army were going to be, so putting paid to the plan to ambush them. The King of Syria is so angry he sends his army after Elisha and they surround him and his servant overnight. 2 Kings 6:15-18 tells what happens next:  

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 (Elisha) 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. And when the Syrians came down against him, Elisha prayed to the Lord and said, "Please strike this people with blindness". So He struck them with blindness in accordance with the prayer of Elisha.

This reading filled me with such joy and encouragement. How wonderful to know you are not alone as you walk your way through life for your are surrounded by the army of God, just waiting to step in and help us when we need it. Just because we cannot see those forces around us does not mean they are not there. Be brave! Just imagine the confidence that young servant of Elisha must have been given when he looked up and saw those horses and chariots of fire. They must have made the Syrian army seem like toy soldiers in comparison and his fear was gone. 

What do we not see as are eyes are drawn to the things of the earth rather than fixing them on Jesus? We miss out on His love, His peace, His comfort, His guidance and His companionship.

Psalm 121 is a good one to turn too when we are feeling overwhelmed and lost:

I lift up my eyes to the hills.

From where does my help come?

My help comes from the Lord,

who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved;

he who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, he who keeps Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper;

the Lord is your shade on your right hand.

The sun shall not strike you by day,

nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all evil;

he will keep your life.

The Lord will keep

your going out and your coming in

from this time forth and forevermore.