Foundations Week 21, Day 5

Scripture Read: 2 Kings 5; 6:1 - 23
Title: Elisha Prays to Open the Eyes of the People

H.E.A.R. 
(H) Highlight verse:  "The Elisha prayed and said, 'O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.' So 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.'"  2 Kings 6:17
 
(E) Explain:  the King of Syria announcing that is going to ambush the Israelites at an undisclosed (to us at least) place.  Somehow Elisha hears this plan and he warns the King of Israel to not pass through this undisclosed place because the Syrians were waiting to ambush them and the king listened to his warning.  When the king hears this, he wants Elisha seized and sent back to him.  When he finds that Elisha is in Dotham, the king assembles a massive army at night to surround his camp so they may seize him.  In the morning Elisha’s attendant awakes and sees the army surrounding the city… afraid he runs to Elisha and asks what should we do?
Unconcerned Elisha responds, “do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”  Elisha sees that there is a supernatural army surrounding the Syrian army and he is not worried because God is on their side.  The problem was the others did not see this supernatural army, they only saw the Syrians before them.
Elisha prays a twofold prayer… 

1. He prays that God would open the attendant’s eyes so he could see the supernatural army that is surrounding the Syrians.
2. He prays that God would strike the Syrian army with a bright light so they would be blinded.

God answers his prayer; the attendant sees the supernatural army and the Syrians are temporarily blinded.  Elisha leads the blind army to Samaria.  Upon arriving in Samaria, he prays that God would open the Syrian army’s eyes and God did.  When the king of Israel sees the Syrian army, he asks Elisha if they should kill them.  Elisha responds by telling them to have mercy on them… he is commanded to feed them and give them drink.  The result was peace between Israel and Syria for a time.

(A) Application: here are three observations from this passage and apply to our lives

1. We don’t always know what God is up to.
   
   1. God is at work, even when we can’t see what He has planned.  This is so true.  In fact, this is really one of the main points of the Bible.  Repeatedly the Bible shows us how God worked and continues to work in mysterious ways to accomplish His will and to bring hope and peace to His people.
      
      
2. Do not fear, God is with you. 
   1. We may not always see God, but know He is with you.
   2. So many times, in the Bible we will hear the words “Do not be afraid” or “Fear not”, remember these words always.  There will be times in your life when you are scared or uncertain, but take comfort in knowing that God is with you, even when you can’t see Him.
3. God hears our prayers in times of distress.
   1. Let’s be honest, when we are crippled by fear, worry or anxiety our first response should be prayer.  Unfortunately, this is not always the case.  God comforts us in these times and when we can focus on Him these fears, worries and anxieties will melt away.

(R) Respond: God is present, He is at work, and He wants me to communicate with Him so that my fears may subside and I can walk in this life in assurance, faith and without fear.