Marybeth Whalen
"'Don't be afraid,' the prophet answered. 'Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.' And Elisha prayed, 'O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.'" II Kings 6:16-17a (NIV)
Have you ever asked God to help you see what He's up to in the spiritual realm?
In II Kings 6:15-17, the prophet Elisha prays for his servant to be able to see beyond his circumstances. They are surrounded by a great army and the odds look to be overwhelmingly against them. He asks God to show the servant what is taking place beyond what the eye can see. The servant's eyes are opened to a supernatural realm and he is able to see the Lord's armies gathered to fight on their behalf. Elisha knew his servant was feeling hopeless and simply needed a different perspective.
We need eyes to see just like that servant did. Make no mistake, we are fighting a war. As Christians, we must suit up every day and face another battle. We have an enemy who wants to defeat us. And some days it seems like he gets the victory. We look around at the failing economy, the fractured families, and the fast pace of our lives and feel that the odds are overwhelmingly against us. We grow weary and feel like giving up.
In those moments we need to stop worrying and pray for a new vision. We need to ask God to change our perspective so that we can look past what we can see to what He is taking care of in the unseen. We need to remember to trust Him and to ask Him to help us see His activity—no matter how overwhelmed and unworthy we may feel. God sees us and He will send help when we need it.
The odds are never stacked against us because God is waging a battle we can't see. I love that He is always fighting on our behalf, even when we don't see it—and especially when we need it the most.
Dear Lord, please help me to remember that You are fighting even when I don't see it. Help me to have a vision for what You do daily on my behalf and not grow discouraged by the battles I face. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know The One Who Fights for You?
Walk with Me Today, Lord: Inspiring Devotions for Women by Emilie Barnes
For monthly encouragement, get our P31 Woman Magazine
Visit Marybeth’s blog
Application Steps:
The next time you face something and feel overwhelmed, unworthy or discouraged about it, remember Elisha's servant and what he saw when God opened his eyes. Ask God to open your eyes when you need encouragement.
Reflections:
How would living life aware that God is fighting on your behalf change your outlook?
Power Verses:
Psalm 20:7, "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." (NIV)
I John 4:4, "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." (NIV)
© 2009 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
"'Don't be afraid,' the prophet answered. 'Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.' And Elisha prayed, 'O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.'" II Kings 6:16-17a (NIV)
Have you ever asked God to help you see what He's up to in the spiritual realm?
In II Kings 6:15-17, the prophet Elisha prays for his servant to be able to see beyond his circumstances. They are surrounded by a great army and the odds look to be overwhelmingly against them. He asks God to show the servant what is taking place beyond what the eye can see. The servant's eyes are opened to a supernatural realm and he is able to see the Lord's armies gathered to fight on their behalf. Elisha knew his servant was feeling hopeless and simply needed a different perspective.
We need eyes to see just like that servant did. Make no mistake, we are fighting a war. As Christians, we must suit up every day and face another battle. We have an enemy who wants to defeat us. And some days it seems like he gets the victory. We look around at the failing economy, the fractured families, and the fast pace of our lives and feel that the odds are overwhelmingly against us. We grow weary and feel like giving up.
In those moments we need to stop worrying and pray for a new vision. We need to ask God to change our perspective so that we can look past what we can see to what He is taking care of in the unseen. We need to remember to trust Him and to ask Him to help us see His activity—no matter how overwhelmed and unworthy we may feel. God sees us and He will send help when we need it.
The odds are never stacked against us because God is waging a battle we can't see. I love that He is always fighting on our behalf, even when we don't see it—and especially when we need it the most.
Dear Lord, please help me to remember that You are fighting even when I don't see it. Help me to have a vision for what You do daily on my behalf and not grow discouraged by the battles I face. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
Do You Know The One Who Fights for You?
Walk with Me Today, Lord: Inspiring Devotions for Women by Emilie Barnes
For monthly encouragement, get our P31 Woman Magazine
Visit Marybeth’s blog
Application Steps:
The next time you face something and feel overwhelmed, unworthy or discouraged about it, remember Elisha's servant and what he saw when God opened his eyes. Ask God to open your eyes when you need encouragement.
Reflections:
How would living life aware that God is fighting on your behalf change your outlook?
Power Verses:
Psalm 20:7, "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." (NIV)
I John 4:4, "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." (NIV)
© 2009 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.
Labels: God's Perspective, Overcoming Fear, Prayer, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Warfare, Trusting God, Waiting On God, Walking in Faith
7 Comments:
Thank you for the devotion. I needed the reminder that my Lord is fighting my battles evry moment of my life. How comforting knowing knowing that God's armies are surrounding my enemies.
YES, please God open my eyes!! Heavenly Father please Forgive me for my moments of doubt. Help me to walk with you and to trust in you always with all my heart and not to depend on my own understanding!
Thank you so much. I felt the tense muscles in my shoulders just drop at these comforting, true words. My God is Mighty to save as Zephaniah 3:17 says:
"The Lord your God is in your midst,
The Might One, will save;
He will rejoice over your with gladness,
He will quiet you in His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing"
Thank you Lord I really needed this devo today! Yesterday I felt so overwhelmed by certain issues in my life and now I read this! I feel so much better and stronger to handle these situations--thank God. another devo I've read in the past that really helped me was "what has God done for me lately?" check it out!
One thing I do during the day when I feel tidalwaved by Satan is look at a coin-- In God we trust!
Wow, I love how GOD is so giving all of us a right now word, I know with all that I am dealing with right now I definetly needed to hear that right now and it looks like the other commentors did as well. I know that this is true already beacause in spite of all my troubles I got this crazy peace inside of me, praise GOD!! My mind however just starts thinking, stuff that is not lined up with the word of GOD and I start to doubt, but then I pray and read this devotion, and read the word of GOD itself and my eyes are opend up to the bigger picture, glory be to GOD the FATHER our enemy is defeated, we know this already, thanks for the reminder!
I just read this story this morning in my Bible reading time before reading this devotion, so I think the Lord is speaking to me about paying attention to the fact that He knows what is going on and is fighting for me in the unseen realms! Not a coincidence I read these verses twice today!
I live in a place where I can see regularly, the spiritual forces of darkness, at work... I just realized this past week, that my constantly focusing on the Enemy - is what he wants. It is a form of praise - or more appropriately, idol worship. I have been trying to learn to rest in The LORD, and not let fear have a hold on me. Thank you for this post today. This will help me to realign my focus on our mighty God, the Lord of Hosts. :))
Lord Father of all help me put my trust and faith in you and your ability to fight all my battles like david in the psalms! Lord give me wisdom to see the bigger picture that nomatter what i am going through you are in control! Satin may mean it for my -----distruction---- but you will turn it around for my good! In Crists' name i pray amen and amen. ksn
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