As I began this blog, I noticed a comment concerning my last blog on “Adjusting Our Focus In The Dark.” After reading what was written my heart was stirred to write a little more on the subject. If ever there was a time where we need to be able to see clearly, it is the days we are living in! Amen?
We’ve all heard it said, “there are two sides to every story.” That can be said of us. But it is especially true of God. It’s important to not only see clearly, but to see what God is seeing in each situation that we find ourselves. No wonder Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote in Ephesians 1:17 – 18: “The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened….” I personally pray that prayer every day over my life. And in it, Paul is asking the Father to override his judgement and his perception of things with a greater capacity for spiritual truth. He’s asking to have the power of understanding come to him from God’s take on things. In other words, it’s not enough just to be able to assess things from an earthly perspective. He’s suggesting that we ask God to show us what He’s seeing about everything. How we need that!
Theres a powerful example of this found in 2 Kings 6. Syria was at war with Israel. And the prophet, Elisha, kept telling the King of Israel where not to camp – because the Syrians were following them. And when the Syrian King found out that Elisha was telling Israel’s King the words he spoke – he wanted to capture him. So it says that he sent chariots and horses to the city of Dothan. Not just a few – but a great host of an army that completely encircled the city!
And in the morning, when Elisha’s servant got up and went outside, he saw the chariots and horses and became dismayed. He ran to get the prophet and asked him, “What will we do?” Verses 16 – 17 says, “Elijah 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 you, 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.”
Two people were in the same circumstance. One saw the circumstances from a spiritual perspective and one from a natural perspective. One perspective brought fear and dismay. One perspective brought great comfort and confidence! As you look at your circumstances this day, what do you see?
the eyes of your understanding being enlightened – Yes Lord! We all need more of your understanding, more of your revelation O God!
Fear NOT! that is the key… I need to be reminded of that every single day, we all do… Be anxious for nothing.
In the face of great peril Elijah said fear not, he could say that because he saw the circumstance through the eyes of God, He had heavenly perspective on that bleak hillside. It gave him strength and peace.
Psalm 29
The voice of the LORD twists the oaks[c]
and strips the forests bare.
And in his temple all cry, “Glory!”
10 The LORD sits enthroned over the flood;
the LORD is enthroned as King forever.
11 The LORD gives strength to his people;
the LORD blesses his people with peace.
And I’m not a particularly anxious person on the outside, but it is the condition of the heart that God sees. And what is our trust level, if we are anxious?!?
Our God is so big… His power IS enough to sustain us without question.
He IS still king over the flood. No matter how bad it gets he is still over it all.
And he gives strength and peace…
Yes – Tara! Fear can keep us from focusing on Him! Thank you for sharing. I love that Psalm!