Open His Eyes

“And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” (2 Kings 6:17)

Good morning, my friend.

Today is a day of stillness. As I write this, the Midwest here in America is under an extreme heat warning. We know, from experience, that when this heat wave breaks up, we will have some serious storms. Yet here and now, it is the calm before the storm. Sometimes that period is harder to endure than the actual storm – the anticipation.

Maybe that’s how your life is today. You and I have had storms in the past. They weren’t pleasant, we didn’t enjoy them, but we survived them. For now, we have pushed back the events and circumstances that invited the storm and our lives are calm at the moment. But we know, from experience, there is another storm brewing on the horizon. We haven’t seen any evidence of it but we can feel it boiling.

So it is with our passage of scripture this morning. Israel during that time was under great attack from the nation and peoples of Syria. Sounds familiar to what’s going on today, doesn’t it? The people of God have been under the wise council of Elisha (following the years of Elijah) and are trying to follow the God of their ancestors. Just when they have everything in line as it should be, the Syrians come for yet another attack. We see this pattern repeat all throughout scripture as well as in our own personal lives. Just when we get things straightened out and have enjoyed a period of peace and well-being, Satan attacks.

One thing I guess I never noticed until this morning: we don’t know the name of Elisha’s servant. When God told Elijah to choose his servant (Elisha) it was a grand announcement. God told him exactly who it was to be, where to find him, etc. Yet, after Elijah was taken up from Elisha, no mention that I can recall was made who was to follow in Elisha’s footsteps. The servant of a prophet is a very enviable and busy position. The servant performs whatever is needed in order for the prophet to maintain his close relationship with God. The servant serves as protector, provider (in the sense of finding resting places, food, etc), personal aide, runner, intercessor, and front man. The servant wears many hats so the prophet can be clear to fulfill his mission of hearing from God.

In today’s passage, we find the prophet surrounded by enemy soldiers who have come to kill him. He is staying within the confines of a city, so even the people of the city are in grave danger. The servant, being a good man, gets up early to prepare for the day and encounters these men outside waiting upon his master. The prophet is inside the house enjoying (probably like me) his morning routine while the servant has encountered a situation. Upon his immediate return, the servant announces what he has found – there is danger in the streets! For your information, my friend, there is always danger in the streets. We are constantly barraged, always under scrutiny from others, and must always be vigilant and aware of our surroundings and those people who try to crowd us into something. Look at the entirety of this passage later on, but for now look at the words of the prophet. For he has anticipated this, has heard from God, yet is resting full in the knowledge that God has him surrounded by His Presence.

He reassures his servant that all is well. Those who are with us are more than they who are against us. What a comforting thought! He Who is within you is greater than they who are against you. I would remind you of that truth this morning. The world may appear to be going to pieces all around you and me, but our help comes from the Lord. Our needs may be pressing, but our supply comes out of the riches of heaven. Our enemies may be many and well-equipped, but our Advocate, our Redemption, our Salvation comes from God. His servant (our friends, family, etc), being a good friend, may serve as a mouthpiece for the enemy, but we have this calm assurance. God is for us, not against us. And as long as we have that assurance from a faithful heart, we can calmly say, “All is well.”

Elisha prayed that God would open the eyes of his servant and let him see what the prophet saw and, lo and behold, the entire countryside around the soldiers was filled with the army of God! The enemy had surrounded Elisha and his servant, but God had surrounded the enemy! There is a scripture we use in performing funerals that truly applies to our daily lives – if only we would so appropriate it: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” As it was with Elisha and his servant, so it is with you and me today, my friend.

No matter what things look like around us, God has us surrounded with an hedge of protection. He has us hemmed in on every side. Whatever has gotten to us has fallen into a trap out of which they cannot escape. This reminds me of a famous quote by “Chesty” Puller, famous U.S. Marine: ““Sir, do you know they’ve cut us off? We’re entirely surrounded.” “Those poor #$@*&%^$,” Puller said. “They’ve got us right where we want ’em. We can shoot in every direction now.” That must be our attitude. Satan thinks he has finally cornered us, but little does he know God has surrounded him!

Today, my brother and sister, I pray that God will open your eyes and allow you to see just how much God loves you and me. That He will let you see that what you thought was a hopeless situation is actually a called meeting by God so all can see His power displayed in your life! God clearly declares that He looks throughout the world seeking someone through whom and in whom He can show His power. Congratulations! You are now center stage. Let the show begin. Stand still, mighty one, and see the salvation of the Lord!

Be blessed.