Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 6:8-23
Yesterday we studied how Elisha prayed for God to open the eyes of his servant, and God answered his prayer. Moments later, Elisha prayed for the eyes of his enemies to be blinded, and God again answered his prayer.
The king of Aram had sent a large army of horses and chariots to surround the city of Dothan because he was tired of Elisha thwarting his plans to attack the nation of Israel. He sent his army to seize Elisha so that he could silence him. Knowing that the God of Israel had protectively surrounded him with horses and chariots of fire from heaven, Elisha prayed, “Oh Lord, please make them blind.” So the Lord struck them with blindness just as Elisha had asked (2 Kings 2:18).
When his enemies were pressing in, God surrounded Elisha with His heavenly forces — an army only seen by those to whom God reveals His presence. When the king tried to silence the man of God, Elisha was given peace and courage to step forward. In a moment when it would have been easy to react in fear or retaliation, Elisha instead responded with wisdom.
Then Elisha went out and told them, “You have come the wrong way! This isn’t the right city! Follow me, and I will take you to the man you are looking for.” And he led them to the city of Samaria. — 2 Kings 6:19
Elisha had his enemies strategically positioned for defeat. The king of Israel was there and eagerly asked the man of God if he could kill the Aramian soldiers. But instead, Elisha prayed for God to open the eyes of his enemies. Then he said to the king of Israel, “Do we kill prisoners of war? Give them food and drink and send them home again to their master” (2 Kings 6:22). So the king ordered a great feast for the soldiers and sent them home, and they stayed away from the land of Israel.
HOW DO WE RESPOND TO THOSE WHO PERSECUTE US OR WHO TRY TO BRING US HARM?
What is our reaction to those who want to take away our freedom and silence our voice? It is easy to respond out of fear or hurt, but God wants us to trust Him during the most difficult moments of our lives. We can pray for God to open our eyes to see that He is present with us on the battlefield. We can pray for the eyes of our enemies to be opened so that they, too, can experience God. Instead of wishing them harm, we can pray for their salvation.
“You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” — Matthew 5:38-48
Serving God is not always the safest choice, nor is it always the easiest, but it is always worth it. And God is going to be faithful, because God is ALWAYS faithful. It is not enough that we win an argument or a battle, it matters that we all make the journey.
Father God, open my eyes to your presence today. Give me eyes to see and ears to hear your heart for the lost. Give me wisdom to know when to pray for eyes to be blinded and when to pray for eyes to be opened. May I see those who hurt me through your eyes of love, and may my response to them strategically position me to be used by you in their lives. I want my actions to be a perfect reflection of your heart towards the prodigal.