SCRIPTURE: 2 Kings 6
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
And Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. [2 Kings 6:17]
This Elisha is one amazing fellow – floating axe heads!
Elisha stands in contrast to the king and nation of Israel, an example of how God is with those who stay true to Him.
Elisha walks with God, talks with God, and God reveals His plans – as well as the plans of the king of Aram – to him.
Elisha stays close to the Lord, and the Lord stays close to him, with His heavenly armies surround him.
Later when Samaria (the capital of northern Israel) is besieged, the people are desperate and miserable, preparing to die.
But still the king does not repent, he blames Elisha.
Elisha, directed by God He serves, predicts an end to the siege.
“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? [Matthew 26:53]
Those who live like the world, die like the world.
But those who, like Elisha and Jesus, put God first, seek and trust Him, honour and obey Him – they discover the greatest blessing in God.
Surrounded, supported, provided for, guided, protected, loved, forgiven.
Jesus was aware of those same horses and chariots of fire all around Him, and therefore He was not afraid.
But He also understood that God was allowing the evil He was experiencing to happen, as a way of defeating sin and its curse.
Am I confident in the Lord’s purpose, and His protection?
I once heard a pastor from South America who was threatened and eventually killed by drug lords, say: “I am absolutely invincible as long as God’s purpose for me remains”.
As long as God’s purpose for me is here on this planet, I will stay here, surrounded and supported by His Spirit and His spiritual army.
This doesn’t mean that I won’t suffer, that things won’t get hard.
Like Jesus, like Elisha, I can see His presence and power filling and surrounding me, using me for His glory and the good of the world.
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You that I am surrounded by Your love and power. Open my eyes that I may see this better.
Open my eyes Lord, I want to see You!
In my walk this day, in the small things and the larger things, God is present. I live in His presence each and every day but need to have Biblical glasses, Spirit directives in my daily living for Jesus. In the small things – like making the axe head float – the daily affairs of my life. And in the larger things – seeing His ‘army’ encircling me in my daily living. God is there and I will see Him as long as I do not get insistant upon my own way or blinded by my own vision. Today, God Is First.
How will I see Jesus this day? I still wear the bracelet WWJD as a physical reminder of Him in all I do and say. I must choose His Way and not my way. Keep me in the palm of Your hand Lord and lead me in the way everlasting.
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
I am looking, I am listening
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Help me to know Your will (repeat)
The right word to say,
the best move to make
Who’s in need of a helping hand
For Your perfect ways are worthy of praise
I delight just to do Your plan
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
I am looking, I am listening
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Help me to know Your will (repeat to beginning)
Help me to know Your will
Help me to know Your will