The Opening of the Eyes
17Then 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.18And when the Syrians came down against him, Elisha prayed to the LORD and said, “Please strike this people with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness in accordance with the prayer of Elisha. 19And Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” And he led them to Samaria. 20As soon as they entered Samaria, Elisha said, “O LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” So the LORD opened their eyes and they saw, and behold, they were in the midst of Samaria. -2 Kings 6:17-20
How wonderful the prayer of Elisha for his servant was answered! The young man saw the mountain full of chariots of fire and horsemen about Elisha. The heavenly host had been sent by God to protect His servant.
A second time Elisha prayed. The Syrian army had been smitten with blindness and so led into Samaria. There Elisha prayed for the opening of their eyes, and lo, they found themselves hopeless prisoners in the hand of the enemy.
We wish to use these prayers in the spiritual sphere. First of all, to ask that our eyes may see the wonderful provisions that God has made for His church in the baptism with the Holy Spirit. All the powers of the heavenly world are at our disposal in the service of the heavenly kingdom. How little the children of God live in the faith of that heavenly vision—the power of the Holy Spirit on them, with them, and in them—for the own spiritual lives and as their strength joyfully to witness for their Lord and His work!
But we will find that we need that second prayer too, that God may open the eyes of those children who do not as yet see the power that the world and sin have upon His people. They are as of yet unconscious of the feebleness that marks the church, making it impotent to do the work of winning souls for Christ and building up believers for a life of holiness and fruitfulness. Let us pray especially that God may open all eyes to see what the great and fundamental need of the church is, in intercession that brings down His blessings, that power of the Spirit may be known unceasingly in its divine efficacy and blessing. —Andrew Murray
Journal:
- Do I live as though I have all the power of the Holy Spirit on me, in me, and with me?
- What would change if I lived that way?
Prayer – Father, thank You that You did not leave us alone here on earth but You sent Your Holy Spirit to guide, teach, comfort, correct, and empower me, Your child. Sadly, I don’t often use that provision and too often live as though the Spirit was not in me. Open my eyes to all You give me through Your Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
