EYES WIDE OPEN

Recorded in the 2^nd Book of the Kings of Israel, chapter six, is a story that touches my heart because it has great relevance to the struggles that we face as Christians in an ever changing and increasingly complex world.

 

The King of Syria at the time, Ben-hadad, decided to invade Israel.  When he would send his army to a certain place hoping to surprise the Israelites, God would speak to Elisha, the prophet, and reveal the position of the enemy troops to the King of Israel.  In this way, they were forewarned, and saved from disaster, many times.  The Syrian King, however, was very agitated, and demanded to know who the spy was among them who was revealing their troop movements to their enemy.  One of his servants spoke up, and told him that it was the prophet in Israel who was aware of every secret plan that Ben-hadad made.  Ben-hadad, therefore, commanded his army to go and besiege the city of Dothan, where Elisha was staying at the time, and bring the man of God to him.  So the army went as they were commanded, and surrounded the city with many chariots and horsemen.  On the following morning, after the Syrian army had compassed Dothan, Elisha’s servant went up on the wall.  Seeing that there was now no escape, he ran back to his master, and said, “Alas, my master!  What shall we do?” 

 

There are many times in my life when I am surrounded by circumstances or temptations over which I feel I have no control, and there is no escape.  I am like the servant running to my Master and crying, “What shall I do?  What shall I do?”  It is impossible at such times to see a way out, or a way around, my difficulties.  Though I am still safe within the city, so to speak, I feel defeated because of what I see with my natural eyes.  I feel like Peter might have felt, when he was walking on the water, and got distracted by the wind and the waves.  He took his eyes off Jesus and began to sink.  He was already experiencing the miracle in his life, but got sidetracked by the storm, and forgot that he was a wave walker.  I, too, may be walking in victory and faith, but become distracted by what appears to be something that will defeat me, then I get discouraged and fearful.  Faith is the victory that overcomes all things, however. 

 

Elisha, seeing the fear in his servant, said to him, “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” (v. 16). Then he prayed, and said, “Open his eyes, that he may see.”  Immediately, then, the servant’s eyes were open, and he was able to see into the spiritual realm.  What he saw amazed him.  He saw that the mountain around the city was full of horses and chariots of fire!  God was with them!  He had not left them alone.  He was in control of the situation from the beginning – the servant just could not see it until his eyes were opened. 

 

What a valuable lesson for us, beloved.  We need to be reminded that God is with us, even when we can’t see Him, and even when it appears that He is not doing anything.  “For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.  And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?” (1 Peter 3:12, 13).  We always need to be aware of the promises that God has given to us in His Word, and not be so quick to believe the things that we see with our natural eyes.  It is the things that are going on in the spiritual, unseen world that have the most impact on what happens in the natural realm.  "While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:18).  We aren't fighting against flesh and blood enemies: they are just the pawns that being used to distract us from the real conflict.  That conflict is being played out in the heavenly realm by spiritual principalities and powers.  God, however, will prevail!  The victory has already been secured in Christ Jesus, and the He has equipped us with everything that we need to wage an effective warfare against the enemy of our soul.  It is up to us to trust in the armor that He has given to us, and put it to use.  We must allow God to open our eyes so that we may see the mighty forces that He has sent to fight on our behalf!  We are never alone!  The battle is the Lord's, not ours!

 

"The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.  The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.  The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.  Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all." (Psalm 34:7, 17-19).