Open My Eyes

Can you picture it? 2 Kings 6 describes a small army of ragtag warriors completely surrounded by a brutal military force waiting for the sunlight to tear them limb from limb. The Israelites were terrified of the oncoming battle, none more so than the servant of the prophet Elisha. After rising early to get a better look at the enemy he returned to Elisha exclaiming, "Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?"

Elisha answered calmly, "Do not be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

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.

2 Kings 6:17

Yes, the enemy had horses and chariots, but God provided horses and chariots of fire.

Eyes opened. Fear gone.

The prayer "open my eyes" is seen throughout scripture, encouraging believers for thousands of years that there is more to be seen than you can actually see. Psalm 119:18 asks God plainly to "Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law."

Friends, we walk around just like Elisha's servant seeing the bad, seeing the ugly, feeling our way through the darkness. And God is there clothed fully in light saying, "Open your eyes, child."

There is a lot of yuck in this world. I watch the news and want to take the hand of bitterness, hopelessness, and fear. I say to them, "Hey, guys. The world is a mess. I think we should be best friends." How easily we are led to believe that we cannot win.

If my eyes are closed, what exactly are they supposed to be opened to? What exactly am I supposed to be seeing, Lord?

Lean in with me and listen to Ephesians 1:18-21:

 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 

Let's dissect these verses and figure out exactly what it is God wants to open our eyes to:

• You may know the hope to which He has called you. What's the opposite of hope? Despair. And every time I feel it I should rebuke it. That's not where God has called me to live.
• The riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people. Hear that? Our inheritance from Him is glorious. Live like you know it.
• His incomparable great power for us who believe. Horses and chariots of fire, people. They encircle you, too.
• That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when He raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms. The same power that commanded Jesus from the grave is in you! Use it, work it, call it down.
• Far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And that power that lives in you? It's above everything. Every evil, every sin, every curse, every sadness, every broken family, every lost child, every addiction, every bad thing you see happening in this world. There is nothing so lost that it cannot be made new by the Name Above All Names. 

I hope you understand by now that God has called us to the wonderful. Not just the making it or the getting by. God has called us to wonder and riches and hope. But our eyes are closed to it. We won't open them to the possibility that putting our faith into action can bring a beautiful clarity to our sight. 

If you feel like you're stumbling around in the darkness today, will you pray this prayer with me?

Father, the enemy is encamped around me. I am afraid. I am in despair. Lord, open my eyes that I may see the wonderful things you have called me to. Open my eyes to the hope, the riches, and the power of a life lived in Jesus Christ. Holy Spirit, work in my life.

When Jesus sent His Holy Spirit to His followers the Holy Spirit had a very distinct appearance: flames, bright flames alight over the heads of each of those who believed. When I think back to Elisha I remember the horses and chariots of God's army alight with that very same fire of the Holy Spirit. I sense Elisha's utter confidence in the God of Angel Armies. Elisha said another prayer after his servant's eyes were opened. He asked God to blind the eyes of the enemy, so they could be diverted away. And it happened. They were blinded and Elisha led them away. The battle was over before it even began.

I know that many of us are fighting battles in our lives with enemies both seen and unseen. But I want you to understand today that "those who stand with us are more than those who stand with them." Your God and His perfect promises are with you, fighting for you. You, just like the Israelites with Elisha, need to offer nothing but prayer to God and allow Him to lead your enemy away. No fight or loss on your part, just confidence in the angel armies that surround you.

Because they are there, my friend, glowing with the fire of the Holy Spirit. So look, see, believe. Let today be the day you open your eyes.