OPEN MY EYES, THAT I MAY SEE!

SCRIPTURE



2 Kings 6:8-23 (NRSV)

Elisha has power over sight

Once when the king of Aram was at war with Israel, he took counsel with his officers. He said, "At such and such a place shall be my camp." But the man of God sent word to the king of Israel, "Take care not to pass this place, because the Arameans are going down there." The king of Israel sent word to the place of which the man of God spoke. More than once or twice he warned such a place so that it was on the alert.

The mind of the king of Aram was greatly perturbed because of this; he called his officers and said to them, "Now tell me who among us sides with the king of Israel?" Then one of his officers said, "No one, my lord king. It is Elisha, the prophet in Israel, who tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedchamber." He said, "Go and find where he is; I will send and seize him." He was told, "He is in Dothan." So he sent horses and chariots there and a great army; they came by night, and surrounded the city.

When an attendant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. His servant said, "Alas, master! What shall we do?" He replied, "Do not be afraid, for there are more with us than there are with them." Then Elisha prayed: "O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see." So the Lord opened the eyes of the servant, and he saw; the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. When the Arameans came down against him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, and said, "Strike this people, please, with blindness." So he struck them with blindness as Elisha had asked. Elisha said to them, "This is not the way, and this is not the city; follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek." And he led them to Samaria.

As soon as they entered Samaria, Elisha said, "O Lord, open the eyes of these men so that they may see." The Lord opened their eyes, and they saw that they were inside Samaria. When the king of Israel saw them he said to Elisha, "Father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?" He answered, "No! Did you capture with your sword and your bow those whom you want to kill? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink; and let them go to their master." So he prepared for them a great feast; after they ate and drank, he sent them on their way, and they went to their master. And the Arameans no longer came raiding into the land of Israel.



DEVOTION

This has long been one of my favorite passages of scripture! I am in awe of God’s power to save even in the most horrific of circumstances.

Although it appeared the prophet Elisha was truly up a creek with no paddle, God had a plan! Although it was not possible to see salvation with natural eyes, spiritual eyes allowed Elisha and his servant to see a mighty and heavenly army surrounding and protecting them from all hurt, harm, and danger!

My friends, right now you may be facing an impossible situation. You may be hemmed in on every side with frightful physical, mental, or spiritual challenges. You may have been panicking asking, “What should I do? What should I do?”

Today, I speak Elisha’s prayer over your life. “O Lord, please open her eyes that she may see OR Please open his eyes that he may see.”

Do not be afraid, beloved of God!

God has a wonderful plan to deliver you from your desperate circumstance and it may even be in a way you never would have thought, hoped, or imagined.

After all, Elisha led the blinded Aramean army straight to their enemies. One might have expected them to be immediately cut down and buried. Instead, the Arameans were treated to a wonderful meal and sent home.

I don’t know how God is going to rescue you; I only know that God will! I want all of us to walk in victory today. Put a little spring in your step. Lift your head high. Encourage yourself with positive thoughts. Pray without ceasing. And make up in your mind that you are going to trust God to deliver you!

I look forward to sharing in your praise reports! Peace be with you friends…

Let’s pray:

God, thank you that you are well able to deliver me from any peril! I know that you are able because your love already gave Jesus to die on the cross to save me from my sin and gift me with eternal life! You have already rescued me from my greatest danger and enemy! Now, I fully entrust my life and every circumstance therein to you. You are a good God and I love you so very much! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.



THE INVITATION

If you have questions about how to become a friend and follower of Jesus, please see the devotion entitled, “Come to Jesus” @

http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/2009/03/come-to-jesus.html