Open My Eyes

“Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (II Kings 6:16, NKJV)

The king of Syria suspected a traitor among his men. Whatever plans he conceived against Israel, they somehow always knew where he planned to attack. This happened again and again. There had to be a spy among his men. When he confronted them, their answer was not what he expected. No one confessed guilt—quite the contrary.

“And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.” (II Kings 6:12, NKJV)

The answer to the problem, he thought, was to capture Elisha. But he overlooked a major hole in his scheme. If God revealed his plans before, wouldn’t He do the same this time as well? How can you capture someone who always has insider knowledge? But the king discovered where Elisha was and sent a massive number of forces against one man.

“Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city.” (Verse 14)

Elisha’s servant awoke early the next morning to find the city surrounded by enemy troops with their horses and chariots. In a panic, he cried out to the prophet, “What do we do now?” Elisha was not in a panic. He saw something that his servant did not.

“And Elisha prayed, and said, ‘LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.’ Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” (Verse 17)

Until his eyes were opened, the servant saw only the problem, not God’s deliverance.

Have you ever felt surrounded by insurmountable circumstances. It seems you are completely fenced in by the enemy’s forces and there is no way of escape. Don’t panic! Just pray for God to open your eyes to His vast army of warriors ready to fight for you. We do not always see what God is doing in the spirit world on our behalf, but His forces are more numerous and more powerful than what the enemy will ever have.

Elisha declared, “Fear not!” His words were true then and are still true today. With God in control, we have no need to fear. Even when we cannot see it, victory is on its way.

Lord, even when I don’t see Your hand at work in my life, You are there. Open my eyes to the might works You are doing in my behalf. I thank You that “those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” You always work all things for my good and I praise You.

(This story has an unusual, almost humorous, twist at the end. Read the remainder of the chapter for another “eye-opening experience” as Elisha tricked the enemy troops and everyone went home happy.)