An Eye-Opening Experience

Saturday, March 02, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. 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 6:15-17

Though the Syrian army was stronger than the Israelite army, they were not winning battles. That is because Elisha was giving updated military intelligence to the king of Israel, warning him of where the Syrians were planning to attack and setting up ambushes. The king of Syria thought he had a spy in his palace, but one of his advisers told him the problem was the prophet who lived in Dothan. So the king decided to take care of that problem permanently and sent his army to capture or kill Elisha. The presence of the enemy alarmed the servant, but Elisha had no fear. That is because he recognized the power of God that had deployed in his defense.

Once the servant's eyes were opened to the angels standing guard, his fear fled. There is a great spiritual battle going on all around us, and it is important for us to be aware of it.

Paul wrote, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4). We have no shortage of power available to us—but we must be conscious of the conflict and seek God's help for victory.

Today's Growth Principle: 

Though we have a determined and powerful enemy, the power of God provides us with victory.