Final Part in the lives of Two Great Prophets!
How do you view the events of your life? Are you observing life through the eyes of faith? Join me as we consider overwhelming difficulties in light of God’s presence.
2 Kings Chapter 6 gives us a unique view of how God works in history. There are numerous accounts of God working in circumstances/events during the history of the Hebrew people. Perhaps the most dramatic, visible acts of God appears in Exodus. When God sends the Ten Plagues, parts the Red Sea, guides His people with fire/cloud, and gives His Ten Commandments–it’s obvious who is in charge!
Have you ever considered the other accounts wherein God works behind the scenes unseen? The account of Joseph in Genesis reminds us that God guides all events to His purposes. Joseph informs his brothers that what they had meant for harm, God used to save and establish His people. Consider the account of Esther wherein God prevents a genocidal plot through a young queen and her wise uncle.
2 Kings 6:8-23
Let’s take a quick look at the Prophet Elisha and how God was working! God has carried Elijah home in a fiery chariot and whirlwind. Elisha remains behind to carry on the ministry of protecting God’s people. God has been giving Elisha direct information about the King of Syria’s plans to attack Israel to foil the attacks.
An outraged King of Aram demands to know how his plans are being countered! His advisors inform him of Elisha and his location in Dothan. The King sends a force to surround Dothan. Elisha’s servant gets up early in the morning and spots the army of chariots surrounding them. When Elisha prays, the servant’s eyes are opened and he is able to see God’s mighty army present.
May God give us all eyes of faith to see His presence! Elisha prays and God blinds the surrounding army. Elisha then leads them straight to Samaria. The Israelite King isn’t sure what to do with this crowd! So Elisha tells him to give them food and water and send them back home to the King of Aram. In verse 23, the author relates, “So he provided a large feast for them; and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the marauding bands of Arameans did not come again into the land of Israel.”
God and His people showed mercy and grace to these invaders! They should have been killed/executed, but that wasn’t God’s plan. As we can see, this mercy ended the raiding.
Questions and Applications for our Lives
1. Do we see events in life through eyes of faith recognizing and trusting in God’s presence?
2. Is God at work in your life in your challenges and difficulties? What might He be working to accomplish? God wanted the servant and King of Israel to trust in Him first! Not in armies or victories.
3. Remember that God is active and present in our lives even when we can’t see or feel Him! He promises to walk with us daily through all situations.
4. Ask God to give you eyes of faith! There may be more at stake that your own situation! Remember that God used this situation to show mercy and grace to a group of pagan invaders!
May God give you courage, hope, and discernment to recognize His presence! It’s in recognizing and responding to His presence that we can experience peace and joy even in difficult circumstances!
Written for your encouragement and God’s glory as He works in your life,
Lee Stanfill
Words of Grace, Truth, and Hope 