Good Morning All,
2 Kings 6:17; “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.”
This is
from one of my favorite stories in the Old Testament. Unfortunately, it is not
part of the readings in the three-year or the one-year series, so we don’t hear
it, but it is a great story. The story involves Elisha the prophet, his
servant, the King of Syria and two great armies.
The
King of Syria was a bully who was trying to pick a fight with the King of
Israel. Syria was far more powerful than Israel so it would not have been much
of a contest, but God was intervening. God was revealing to Elisha all the
secret plans of the King of Syria and Elisha was warning the King of Israel.
This was so effective that the King of Syria thought there had to be a spy in
his court or council. After much consternation of the council for the King,
someone finally convinced him that the problem was this pesky prophet named
Elisha who was living in the city of Dothan who was able to listen “like he was
even in the king’s bedroom.”
The
king dispatched his army to Dothan and surrounded the city during the night.
When Elisha’s servant saw the army, he was terrified! He went and woke Elisha
and asked, “what will we do?” Elisha tole him to have not fear, there are more
on our side than on theirs” A very curious thing indeed. The young man could
look all around and all he could see were Syrian soldiers, Syrian bowmen, Syrian
chariots, Syrians everywhere and only Syrians. So, Elisha prayed the prayer in
our verse, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.”
God answered
the prayer and soon the young man saw an army of angels and chariots of fire
all around the army protecting Elisha. Now he knew why Elisha wasn’t worried.
God was there with great might to protect Elisha and his servant.
“O Lord,
please open his eyes that he may see.” This is a very fitting prayer. How often
do we, in times of struggle and distress, fall into despair, panic, anxiety, or
fear because all we see is the problem? We need to have our eyes opened and see
with our eyes of faith the great wonders God has done, is doing, and will continue
to do for us. We need to remember to see the Cross and the empty tomb. We need
to remember the words of forgiveness, the words of comfort, the words of
promise that Jesus gives to us every day through His Word. “O Lord, please open
his eyes that he may see.” This would be a great prayer to speak every morning when
you begin your day. Pray that God would open our eyes to the great gift of hope
that is ours in Jesus. To remember that the temporal things of this world are temporary,
but the promise of eternal life lasts forever. “O Lord, please open his eyes
that he may see.” May God open our eyes as well!
O Lord, please open our eyes that we may see. Send
your Spirit to keep us mindful of your mercies and the wondrous hope that we
have in Your Name. Keep us safe, resting in your loving and protective arms. Be
with those who are hurting today. Open their eyes to your great mercy and
great. In the precious Name of Jesus, our Risen Savior, we pray, amen!
God’s Peace,
Pastor Bret
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