2 Kings 6, Open My Eyes

Dear Reader,

What I am writing tonight does not feel like it applies to my life at all at the moment. Today is the kind of day that was delightful. It was the type of day where I could probably have forgotten that my very breath depends on God.

Sometimes, when life is good, it can be easy to forget that God has carried us to freedom. The reason for our happiness was his rescue. So tonight, I want you to open your mind up to a time in your life when you felt surrounded, terrified, and beaten up.

Even though, I do not feel that way right now, I know that I definitely have in the past and will, likely, again in the future.

The story of the night is about Elisha again...

In this story, Elisha was in danger because a foreign king had heard of his connection with God and of his ability to assist the Israelites in achieving victory (some of what the king had heard was legend rather than fact). So, the king sent an entire army to go and capture Elisha. So picture this…Elisha and his servant are standing in the midst of an undefended city that is surrounded by foreign soldiers.

Elisha is completely calm,

His servant is not…I am guessing that he completely freaked out here…I would have.

This is Elisha’s response to his servant’s panic…

"Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

¹⁷ 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.

This is so cool,

The entire time that the servant was stressing out, he was completely safe, because he was surrounded by God’s protection.

The application for us is this…

When life is terrifying, remember that you are not alone.

Remember that God is already fighting for you.

I feel challenged to pray that God will open my eyes to the protection and rescue that he has already given me, rather than constantly asking him to re-do what he has already done.