Open Eyes

I love Elisha and the stories that surround his life.  Let’s look at another one.

“⁸ Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, “I will set up my camp in such and such a place.”

⁹ The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: “Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there.” ¹⁰ So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places.

¹¹ This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, “Tell me! Which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?”

¹² “None of us, my lord the king,” said one of his officers, “but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.”

¹³ “Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.” ¹⁴ Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.

¹⁵ When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.

¹⁶ “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

¹⁷ And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that 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.

¹⁸ As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike this army with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.”

If you are planning a military conquest against the people of God you may want to make sure they don’t have a prophet.  Israel had a prophet, his name was Elisha, and this prophet kept frustrating the plans of the King of Aram.

When the King had a military plan, Israel already knew.  When he wanted to drop a surprise attack, it was yesterdays news.  Spy satellites? None orbited.  Phone taps? No wires were strung.  A traitor in the Kings court?  Seemed likely but word was that a prophet was to blame.

Elisha, the man of God, knew the very words  The King of Aram spoke in his bedroom (military plans and pillow talk, God knows all). Elisha blabs too much.  “New Mission; put Israel on hold, kill the prophet.”

The campaign was ready.  Aram’s top navy seals.  Middle Eastern commandos.  A “strong force” with a precise plan. Locate the prophet, sneak in at night, surround the city, and annihilate Elisha.

They moved in under the cover of night.  No one would have known they were there if it wasn’t for an early rising ministerial assistant. A normal day, filled with chores and tasks, organizing the calendars and folding bulletins, sending emails about benevolence requests and making sure that there was enough food at the seniors potluck.  A normal day of being the assistant of The Prophet Elisha, a day that required him to wake up in the wee morning hours.  But  no coffee was needed that day.  The sight of Aram’s armies jolted him into action.  Impending doom was here.  Wake the prophet.

The response?   Not one of panic, not one of doubt, not one of fear.  The prophet simply said  “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them”.  He was right.  Elisha prays; first that his servant would see the spiritual, and he did.  Flaming horses, fiery chariots, and they filled the hills.  The army of God, much bigger than the army of Aram, just hidden from the normal eyes.

Second, he prays that God will strike the army with blindness.  God does.  The men don’t know what hit him.  God saves the day.

You too have an enemy and he wants you taken out.  When you stand for Christ, he stands against you.  He hates Jesus and he hates his children.  You may have been unaware of his attacks previously, but now as a follower of Christ you rise early and you see his demonic army surrounding you.

Temptation…

Frustrations…

Persecutions…

Hardships…

He knows where to hit you…doesn’t he?

And you need to remember the words of Elisha  ” Those who are with us are more than those who are with them”   Another verse sounds familiar…

“ You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world”  I John 4:4

We are often blind to the fact that God is greater than the enemy.  We cannot forget this truth.  It’s time for you to open your eyes.

Open your eyes to what God’s word says

Even when God seems to be nowhere around, He’s there.  He doesn’t always manifest himself in fiery chariots for you to gaze upon, but he has given us His word to read.  Take time to study the promises of scripture.

Open your eyes from slumber

Don’t get lazy.  Don’t forget that the enemy is out there, he’s watching you.  It’s not time to take your guard down it’s time to put the armor of God on (Eph 6).  Be aware that there is a spiritual battle that is raging. Don’t stop praying, be disciplined in your prayer time, it keeps our spiritual eyes wide open.

Open your eyes to the cross

The promise has been made.  God is stronger.  God is bigger.  Christ has defeated the grave.  He wins, we win.  His death saved our life and His death defeated the enemy “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—”  Hebrews 2:14

What happens to the army?  They are struck with blindness and Elisha leads them to the King.  One day the enemy will be lead before our  King for his judgment, but no mercy will be shown to Him, only a lake of fire.

Take heart and be encouraged.  Open your eyes to the greatness of God!