Eyes to see

     He sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?"  2 Kings 6:14-15

     Have you ever had one of those days where you woke up to find the enemy’s army encircling your camp? Horses and chariots filled with battle worn soldiers, drooling at the opportunity to get their hands on you? I think many of us can readily identify with the emotions the attendant must have been experiencing. Feelings of fear, anxiety, helplessness. In an honest moment, confronted with our own inability, we cry out along with the servant “What shall we do?”

     Look at Elisha’s response…

     So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." Then Elisha prayed and said, "O LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." And the LORD opened the servant's eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.  2 Kings 6:16-17

     I’m sure what the servant was really looking for was thunder from heaven or a chasm from the ground to open and destroy their enemy. After all, this is the same guy that made the axe head float after they had clumsily lost it in the water. What the servant didn’t realize, however, is the miracle he needed was for God to open his eyes. Though he didn’t realize it, he was blind. All he could see was the dust, chaos and fear kicked up by an army hell-bent on his destruction. From his perspective they were in trouble. Contrasted with this is Elisha, who sees no situation at all. So instead of calling for fire to fall from heaven and consume the soldiers or a giant chasm to open up in the earth and swallow them alive, Elisha asks God to grant his servant perspective. He asks that God would help him to see things as they really are.

     May God do the same in us.