SEARCHLIGHT
What do you do when you hear the doctor say you have cancer? How do you respond when a loved one’s life is in jeopardy who is living thousands of miles away? What do you do when you wake up with a thriving pain that demands you call an ambulance?
SCRIPTURE
When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my Lord! What shall we do?” The servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “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 6:15-17 NIV
SPOTLIGHT
Sometimes the mountains of life are so gigantic, it just seems like they are insurmountable. You can’t even see the top. They appear to be too great to overcome. Life challenges, problems, and enemies can appear so enormous they seem to be invincible. You begin to think you are defeated. That was the way I felt when I experienced a very serious cancer challenge. My faith faced fear. My beliefs battled with unbelief. What was I to do?
There was a young, unnamed servant who was exposed to the presence and power of God through Elisha, the man of God. He succeeded Gehazi who had served as the prophet’s personal attendant. This young servant observed how God can supernaturally intervene in any situation. He had heard how Elijah had been swept up to heaven and Elisha, his master, had asked for a double portion of Elijah’s spirit. [2 Kings 2:9,15] He was aware of the time Elisha “healed” the water. [2 Kings 2:21] Then there was the instance when Elisha saved the widow and her two sons from starving and losing everything. [2 Kings 4:1-7] The young servant would have known about Elisha raising the Shunammite’s son to life. [2 Kings 4: 8ff] It was well known how God had used Elisha to perform 2 miracles to provide food for the prophets when there was a famine in the region. [2 Kings 4:38-44] And don’t forget Naaman’s healing from leprosy. [2 Kings 5] Probably, he witnessed Elisha being used by God to make a sunken ax head float to the top of the water to be retrieved. [2 Kings 6:1-7] This young servant had a front row seat to watching God do miracles. But his eyes had not been completely open to knowing God.
As a believer, you will find that there are times in your life when the mountainous problems seem so big and high that for a moment you forget that God made the mountains. Life becomes so challenging that it is necessary for you to get a fresh glimpse of God’s greatness. Such was the case for Elisha’s servant. In the Scripture passage above, we read how he awakened one morning to be overwhelmed by an enemy that had surrounded his city in order to seize Elisha. This young servant, who had a strong faith in the all-powerful God, now faced a personal moment of fear. An army was about to attack which would wreak havoc. The same can happen to you. As a believer, sometimes your faith faces fear. And sometimes your beliefs battle unbelief.
Calmly Elisha was not overwhelmed. He confidently said, “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Upon reading that counsel, you should be reminded of many Bible verses such as “…If God is for us, who can be against us?...No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” [Romans 8:31,37] The Bible says, “Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.” [1 John 4:4], “My God shall provide for all your needs…” [Philippians 4:19], and “Do not be afraid or discouraged of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” [2 Chronicles 20:15] On and on it goes. The promises of God are numerous.
Elisha did not pray for God to show up to remove the enemy. Instead, he lifted his voice to God to open the believing eyes of the young man so that he would not be afraid. The prophet’s prayer focused on seeing God’s greatness in a fresh way rather than seeing the mountainous problems. God came through just like He always does. Suddenly, the young man saw what Elisha saw. The hills were filled with horses and chariots of fire. They surrounded the attacking enemy. God was in control.
Often remind yourself that God is great, God is good, and God is understanding. He did not punish the young man for fearing but instead opened his eyes to see the divine solution. God wants to do the same for you. He wants you to experience a fresh glimpse of His greatness.
While I was facing that serious cancer challenge, friends prayed for a miracle but also prayed for me to see the loving, faithful, all-powerful Jehovah Rapha and Jehovah Jireh. Someone sent me a card with these words, “What ultimately matters is not the size of our mountains but the strength of our mountain mover.” The Bible says, “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” [Jeremiah 32:27] Just like that young servant, I saw and experienced God’s greatness, goodness, and understanding. “Thank you, Lord, for opening my eyes of faith.”
SOMETHING TO DO
Read Psalm 33:18,19 and Psalm 121.
SOUL TIME PRAYER
Heavenly Father, I believe in You. Thank you that the Bible promises that Your eyes are upon me. OPEN MY EYES, LORD so I will see and be continually reminded that You are bigger than the biggest mountain. AMEN!!!