Seeing, or Knowing?

• 2 Kings 6:16 (NLT)
• 2 Kings 6:17 (NLT)

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Scripture:

“Don’t be afraid!" Elisha told him. "For there are more on our side than on theirs!"
Then Elisha prayed, "O Lord , open his eyes and let him see!" The Lord opened the young man's eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.

Observation:

The king of Aram was at war with Israel. But Elisha, the man of God, would warn the king of Israel about every move that Aram made so that he could be ready and waiting. The king of Aram finds out where Elisha is, sending a great army to capture him.

Early in the morning, Elisha’s servant goes outside only to find troops everywhere! Panic strikes. “What will we do now?” he cries.

Elisha is totally calm. “There are more on our side than on theirs!” he replies.

The servant has to be wondering “where? All I see is the enemy!”

Elisha prays that the Lord would open his eyes to see the unseen. When he looked up, he saw that the hillside was filled with horses and chariots of fire.

Application:

My sight is limited to what I can see with my physical eyes. This is my perception of reality. Yet, there is much more going on than I can see.

God had given Elisha insight into what the enemy king was doing. Perhaps he also saw the chariots that filled the hillside. The text is silent on this.

Whether he did see them or not, Elisha trusted God. He lived in the confidence that God had called him to be prophet to the nation, and was with him enabling him to fulfill that calling. He knew the forces of Heaven were standing with him.

In the same way, I can live in the confidence that God is with me enabling me to fulfill my calling with His unseen resources stationed around me, even in the face of overwhelming opposition.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to walk by faith, not by sight. May I not shy away from the calling you have for me, even when it seems impossible for me. May I live and act boldly by your Spirit, as Elisha did, knowing that You are with me. May I also show his compassion and grace.

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