Oh Lord Please Open OUR Eyes

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. 2 Kings 6:17 ESV

Elisha’s servant had risen early and gone out and found the city surrounded by Syrians. Naturally, he was quite frightened. He knew that the king of Syria had come for his master. The Syrian army was very powerful and had them surrounded and helpless. In fear, he ran to his master Elisha to bemoan what they might do. Elisha assures him that ‘those who are with us are more than those who are with them’. Good to know, but not evident. Elisha realized that the statement was not enough to calm the servant’s fears because he then prayed that God would open his servant’s eyes so he could see, and what a wonderful sight! Before him, chariots of fire on the mountain all around Elisha. God’s all-powerful army was visible to those whose eyes were opened.

Today, you and I face many situations and enemies that threaten us and seem insurmountable. The COVID-19 pandemic and its fallout have shaken life to the core. It has impacted our finances, our way of life, and our very lives. We can quake with fear and be despondent or we can remember that those who are with us are greater than those who are against us. Just because we cannot see God at work, it does not mean He is not there. Ask the Father to open your eyes – look up! The chariots of fire are all around you. God is watching and prepared to fight for His children. Elisha could see the chariots that God had sent all along. I expect that from that point forward his young servant would visualize the chariots he had seen and be reminded of God’s protection. Notice that it was in a situation of great danger that the servant learned to look for the chariots. Now and in the future, we will face trials. Each time, as we learn to expect God to work, we will build up our ability to always know the chariots are there.

May we also become sensitive to the fear around us and pray that God will open the eyes of others so that they too may see God’s armies, at the ready, protecting them. They were there not just for Elisha’s benefit but also to teach, his servant trust.

I hate to leave a story without an ending. God worked with Elisha, the Syrians were captured, released and sent home and “the Syrians did not come again on raids into the land of Israel” (vs. 23).  YES! Victory and peace were won through our mighty God. It is a wonderful story of God’s protection, care and mercy. Do read about it in 2 Kings 6.

Prayer

Father, I thank you that we serve a great God, abundant in power. You are almighty, omnipotent, all-seeing, and all-loving. Yet You know us by name and the number of hairs on our heads. Give me faith to know You are always there and will always protect me in every situation. When I falter, God, open my eyes that I may see the armies of God at the ready to go to battle for righteousness and me. Help me to remember that You are always strong enough for any battle and that with You I can face any circumstance with peace and confidence.