Open Our Eyes That We May See
Dear Friends,
Prayer plays a vital role in our daily fellowship with Jesus. The following account of Elisha and the king of Aram illustrates the importance of listening to the voice of God and responding in faith, while employing the wisdom, discernment and understanding the Lord so faithfully provides.
The king of Aram (or Syria) was at war with Israel. He would privately discuss his military strategies against the people of God with his trusted officers. However, the Lord revealed the king’s plans to His servant, the prophet Elisha, who would then dispatch the information to the king of Israel! The king of Aram was enraged and demanded that the traitor among his men be identified. One of his officers stepped forward and insisted that none of his men had betrayed the king, but in fact it was the prophet Elisha who was informing the king of Israel about their military plans:
2 Kings 6:12-17
…Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.
The report came back: He is in Dothan.
"Go, find out where he is," the king ordered, "so I can send men and capture him.” Then he sent horses
and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.
When the servant of the man of God (Elisha) got up and went out early the next morning, an army with
horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?” the servant asked.
"Don't be afraid,” the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with
them.”
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. (all emphasis
mine)
Just as Elisha prayed for the Lord to open the eyes of his young servant, the Apostle Paul asked for the spiritual eyes of the saints to be enlightened, allowing them to behold the mighty work of God in the unseen realm!
Ephesians 1:17-19
I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of
wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may
be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his
glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.
Daniel declared to King Nebuchadnezzar that there is a God in heaven who “reveals mysteries.” Paul prayed for the Father to give believers the “Spirit of wisdom and revelation.” True spiritual enlightenment comes only through the promised Holy Spirit:
John 16:13-14
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he
will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by
taking from what is mine and making it known to you.
1 Corinthians 4:5
…He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts.
In this perilous season of social, economic and political upheaval, let us faithfully pray that the Lord will enable us to see the powers of the spiritual realm at work on our behalf. May we remember the words of Elisha, "Don't be afraid, those who are with us are more than those who are with them." John reminds us that, “Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”
The story of Elisha and his young assistant is a profound reminder of God’s unseen presence and protection. It’s inspiring to realize how our perspective can change when we trust in God’s power and presence, even in overwhelming situations.
Praying Elisha’s prayer for ourselves or others can be a transformative practice – helping us to see beyond our immediate fears and formidable challenges while recognizing the divine support that surrounds us. Our God is faithful. Those who hope in Him will not be disappointed! (Isaiah 49:23)
May the Lord bless you abundantly in this beautiful fall season!
Pastor Paul