"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." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:16,17).

Last week I shared an encouragement concerning "Seeing the Unseen."* Today I want to continue with that theme. It's really on my heart as I consider the various situations many of us are dealing with. Through this web and email ministry we receive many notes concerning the troubles readers are dealing with. Of course we all can sense the great battle in regard to the efforts of the terrorists and other international issues. It's so easy to see the earthly reality but far more difficult to see the equally valid spiritual reality.

Today's Scripture portion is set in an historical period about 2,800 years ago. Elisha was a faith-filled prophet who had enraged the king of Aram with his accurate prophetical pronouncements. This king sent an army to the city where Elisha was and surrounded it to capture Elisha. Elisha's servant awoke early and saw the army surrounding the city.  He went to Elisha in despair and asked what they were going to do. He easily saw the army and the situation looked altogether hopeless.

"Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." Elisha, as a man of great faith, saw a reality his servant was unable to see. As I consider this passage I wonder if Elisha lived in a state of faith where he always saw the unseen.

I realize I sure am a lot more like the servant than Elisha. I have no trouble seeing the armies of the enemy and sometimes they do seem so massive and poised for attack. I can despair as I sure struggle to see the spiritual reality. Elisha didn't rebuke his servant but rather prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." That's the prayer of my heart for myself and for each reader today.

The prayer was answered immediately. "Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."  The servant's eyes were opened to see the protecting might of the heavenly hosts.

I firmly believe that this isn't just a story but a powerful encouragement for all ages and all believers concerning the unseen reality of the spiritual forces which surround us. Today, fellow believer, may your eyes of faith be open and may you be filled with hope and assurance as you realize the protecting might of the heavenly hosts which are truly gathered around all of us.


Be encouraged today,


Stephen C. Weber

Note from Brooksyne:  Hebrews 11:1 comes to mind where the writer gives us a succinct definition of faith, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."  We can get hold of that truth for certain situations in which we are waiting upon God.  But God wants us to have a vibrant faith that we apply to every circumstance so that it becomes second nature to our human existence.  "Dear God, since it does not come from my human nature I crucify the flesh as You enable me to take up a life of faith.  This faith is grounded in You and it brings me hope when the physical evidence would seem hopeless.  Help my faith be solid and not wavering by the circumstances my physical eyes see.  May the eyes of my heart see where Your presence abides and may spiritual vision spring up hope and an overcoming spirit as I trust in You for everything.  In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen."

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Many times hours of study go into the preparation of these messages, but then I try to keep the encouragement brief! Today especially I want to share some supplemental material. Here's a powerful perspective from one of my favorite study Bibles:

An unseen spiritual realm exists, consisting of a host of ministering angels who are active in the lives of God's people (Genesis 32:2; Isaiah 63:9).  Several principles may be derived from this event.

• Not only is God for His people (Romans 8:31), but also armies of His angels stand by, ready to defend the believer and God's Kingdom (Psalm 34:7).
• All Bible believing Christians should continually pray that God would deliver them from spiritual blindness and open the eyes of their hearts to see more clearly the spiritual reality of God's kingdom (Luke 24:31; Ephesians 1:18-21) and its heavenly hosts (Hebrews 1:14).
• God's ministering spirits are not far away, but are very close (Ge. 32:1-2), observing the actions and faith of God's children and working on their behalf (Acts 7:55-60; I Corinthians 4:9; Ephesians 3:30; I Timothy 5:21).
• The real battle in God's kingdom is not against flesh and blood; it is a spiritual battle against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:12; Revelation 12:7-9).
• There is a cause and effect relationship in spiritual battles; the outcome of spiritual battles is determined in part by the faith and prayers of the saints (Ephesians 6:18-19).

From "The Full Life Study Bible"

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One of my favorite artists is Ron DCianni, who has an amazing ability to paint an image based on Biblical stories. He will often put people in modern dress in his art and the picture just seems to come alive. I recall seeing a painting in an art gallery he had made based today's Scripture. Although I was unable to find the image on the web I did find this perspective:

"What are more real, things that you can feel and touch or things unseen? Would you trade the protecting angels of God around you for a bodyguard? It is hard to stay focused on God's way when so many voices are shouting to see things differently. God knows. He reminds us to stick to His plan and leave the results of things to Him. A miracle or two may even be part of the plan Spiritual blindness can keep us from seeing what God does in our lives. Take a look at Balaam in Numbers 22:21-29. Or how about the case of nerves on the part of Elisha’s servant in 2 Kings 6:15-18? Ever feel like that when things are hopeless? I do when I’m seeing with my eyes instead of my heart. It will be interesting to one day find out all the near misses and unexplained detours God brought us through. Someday I'd like to take a ride on that chariot of fire that follows me around." Ron DiCianni

* "Seeing the Unseen" (Last week's encouragement with a similar theme.)

Entire context of today's Scripture passage.

As I studied for today's message I sure came across a great article on the eternal perspective.