The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Kings 6:17,
"And Elisha prayed, 'Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.' Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."
The king of Aram was at war with Israel and found that his movements were known by the king of Israel. Elisha, as a prophet of God, had the "inside scoop" and so informed the king of Israel of the Arameans plans, movements and activities. When the king of Aram realized how this military intelligence against him was being provided, he set out to capture Elisha in Dothan.
One morning Elisha's servant discovered the city was surrounded by the Arameans and exclaimed his alarm to Elisha. Elisha told the man not to be concerned, "'Don't be afraid,' the prophet answered. 'Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.'" And, then, to allay the servant's alarm, Elisha asked the Lord to open the servants eyes to see things he was normally unable to. What he saw was the forces of heaven in array to protect Elisha and those with him. The hills were full of horses and chariots of fire!
"And Elisha prayed, 'Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.' Then the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."
The king of Aram was at war with Israel and found that his movements were known by the king of Israel. Elisha, as a prophet of God, had the "inside scoop" and so informed the king of Israel of the Arameans plans, movements and activities. When the king of Aram realized how this military intelligence against him was being provided, he set out to capture Elisha in Dothan.
One morning Elisha's servant discovered the city was surrounded by the Arameans and exclaimed his alarm to Elisha. Elisha told the man not to be concerned, "'Don't be afraid,' the prophet answered. 'Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.'" And, then, to allay the servant's alarm, Elisha asked the Lord to open the servants eyes to see things he was normally unable to. What he saw was the forces of heaven in array to protect Elisha and those with him. The hills were full of horses and chariots of fire!
Quite naturally, this account causes me to think of the spiritual realities that surround us all. Elisha could point to these and I am fully persuaded they are in existence around us today. Angels, the host of heaven, the Holy Spirit... all around us!
In an environmental context where faith is possible, the things of heaven on earth are shrouded from us. They are here, they are real, and they are ready to do the Lord's bidding.
The children of God are not alone in this world!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
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