Then 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.
– 2 Kings 6:17
There are at least three things at work in the opening of eyes to the truth about God. First, of course, God must do it. But we as Christians also play a role by speaking the truth and praying for God to act.
When Elisha and his servant were surrounded by their earthly enemies, the truth was that God was protecting them by myriads of angels. Earthly eyes could not see spiritual truth, though, and the servant was afraid. He saw the chariots and horses and soldiers and cried, “What shall we do!?” Elisha spoke truth to his young student and declared, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Elisha was steadfast in his proclamation of the truth even though he knew the servant couldn’t see it. After proclaiming the truth, Elisha prays for the eyes of his student to see.
Both truth and prayer are necessary for the opening of eyes. We must tell of the mystery of the Gospel, even when we know the people around us cannot understand. And, we must pray that the God of glory opens their eyes to see and believe the truth we have told them. Our works are dependent upon God’s working. We are not in charge of who sees and who doesn’t. But we can declare the truth and we can pray. So, like righteous Elisha, let us give ourselves to these works.
Prayers are the Means to Open Eyes
Then 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.
– 2 Kings 6:17
There are at least three things at work in the opening of eyes to the truth about God. First, of course, God must do it. But we as Christians also play a role by speaking the truth and praying for God to act.
When Elisha and his servant were surrounded by their earthly enemies, the truth was that God was protecting them by myriads of angels. Earthly eyes could not see spiritual truth, though, and the servant was afraid. He saw the chariots and horses and soldiers and cried, “What shall we do!?” Elisha spoke truth to his young student and declared, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Elisha was steadfast in his proclamation of the truth even though he knew the servant couldn’t see it. After proclaiming the truth, Elisha prays for the eyes of his student to see.
Both truth and prayer are necessary for the opening of eyes. We must tell of the mystery of the Gospel, even when we know the people around us cannot understand. And, we must pray that the God of glory opens their eyes to see and believe the truth we have told them. Our works are dependent upon God’s working. We are not in charge of who sees and who doesn’t. But we can declare the truth and we can pray. So, like righteous Elisha, let us give ourselves to these works.