Read 2 Kings 6
Highlights:
The ax head made to float; Syrians (Arameans) attack Israel; famine in Samaria; Elisha’s prophecy fulfilled
And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha (2 Kings 6:17).
It is not always easy to see what God is doing. As a matter of fact, God intends it to be that way much of the time. In this situation, God was about to move in a great way, but only the prophet knew what God was doing for certain.
Elisha's servant could only see what was in front of him. The king of Syria had brought a great army to take Elisha. The servant had obvious reasons to be so fearful.
The verse tells us that Elisha prayed that his servant's eyes would be opened to the spiritual as well as the physical. There was a great angelic army there to protect the man of God. In the end, there was no need to be fearful. God was in control. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me (Ps. 23:4). At times, circumstances in our own lives can seem to become overwhelming. The life of a believer is often filled with trials and tribulations. The enemy presses hard against us and it seems like we may never get rescue from his oppression. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8).
The devil may be like a lion, ready to attack the follower of Christ at his first chance. There is an important fact to remember here though. If the Christians will pray against this opposition, they will overcome this ravenous beast. The prayers of the saints will take away this lion's greatest weapon, fear. There is no need to fear the devil because the Lion of the Tribe of Judah has already defeated the devil. Jesus died for our sins and rose from death to life to ultimately conquer the enemy. I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death (Rev. 1:18).
Don't get discouraged when it seems that life is at its worst. If you belong to God, you are always victorious. Do we always feel victorious? No. There are times we may feel defeated. We may look up and see great things coming against us. Even though we may not see it, the hand of God is moving on His children's behalf. As we hold on to Jesus, the final chapter of life is certain. The believer ends up the victor, not the loser. May that hope encourage you.
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved (Matt. 24:13).
Thought for Today:
Those that stop at nothing to promote themselves will always come to a bad end.
Christ Portrayed:
By Elisha, who wept when he realized what Hazael would do to Israel and its people (2 Kin. 8:11-12). We are reminded of Jesus as He wept over Jerusalem: O Jerusalem, Jerusalem . . . how often would I have gathered thy children together . . . and ye would not! (Matt. 23:37).
Word Studies:
6:1 strait, small, too confined; 6:30 within, next to, underneath; 7:5 uttermost part, borders; 8:11 settled his countenance, stared intensely; 8:26 daughter, granddaughter.
Prayer Suggestion: Thank God in prayer for His faithfulness to His Word and His desire that all come to repentance (2 Pet. 3:9).
Optional Reading: Romans 6
Memory Verse for the Week: John 13:35
