Open my Eyes

Summer is ebbing away and it makes me sad. But I’m glad to see Fall come. Glad to see another season change. It’s been a challenging summer for our family. 

We faced a lot of unknowns. Unexpected changes. Uncertainty about the future. It’s been a lean season.

Unknown, unseen, uncertainty, uneasiness...this has been my reality the past couple of months. But is there more going on than I know? Once again the Word has spoken to my heart and encouraged me. When hasn’t it??

Dotham is surrounded. The King of Syria is determined to capture Elisha who seemingly confounds his every move, and announces his secret plans. 

In the night his army came and encircled the city. When Elisha’s servant discovers the looming danger in the morning he is panic stricken. “What shall we do?” he asks Elisha.

Elisha is unafraid at the threat. He sees something the servant doesn’t. He prays that the eyes of the young man would be opened. Enlightened, he saw the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire. “Don’t be afraid.Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 1 Kings 6:16

Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. Psalm 27:3

Are you surrounded by fear, despair and the unknown? Is this what you are facing this morning? Can I tell you that there is more going on than you know? You have the heavenly hosts fighting for you.

“Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for He who is in you is greater than he who is the world.” 1 John 4:4

I’ve felt weak at times. Fearful other times. “I believe, help my unbelief.” Mark 9:24 I’ve prayed this feeble prayer a few times this summer. 

Elisha’s servant did not see the chariots and horses of fire. He did not realize deliverance was at hand. I pray along with Paul in 1 Corinthians 1:18 that the eyes of my heart would be enlightened, that I may know the hope...the riches of His glorious grace...immeasurable greatness of His power toward me who believe according to the working of His great might, that He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead.

May I see the truth and not go by my natural senses. May I really know what is going on. Oh Lord, open my eyes that I may see.

When I look back on this summer, I see Him at work. He’s been there step by step. In each tomorrow His grace was there anew. I’ve rested in His care and trusted His guiding hand, when I couldn’t see. 

Does this speak to your heart? I pray it does. Be encouraged not just at my words, but by His glorious Word. 

Unknown, unseen, uncertainty, uneasiness...All will become clear when you know the truth of His Word. That’s all you need to know. 

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Dig Ditches???

Valley of dryness, lifeless, thirsty....The armies of Israel and Judah were in a bad way on the march to a battle with Moab. Now at a standstill with no water for the army or animals. It was a desperate situation. 

Jehoram King of Israel blames God for all this. “He did this to ensure our defeat!” Gloom and doom was his theme. 

But Jehoshaphat speaks up, “Lets pray to God Almighty.” And so they show up at Elisha’s doorstep. And he tells them something remarkable. 

“Dig ditches.” Yes in this desolate valley, in faith, dig ditches. 

“You’re not going to see wind or rain, but this valley will be filled with pools of water. You’re going to have plenty to drink. This is a light thing in God’s sight. And by the way, you will defeat the Moabites.” 

It didn’t make sense, it sounded crazy. But they dug the ditches. And the water did come. It filled the valley and the dug up trenches. They drunk deeply, moved on and did defeat the Moabites. Just like God said. 

What do we do when we are in a lean, dry season? Prayers seem unheard, passion waning and God seems afar. Do we blame God? Is it gloom and doom? What do we do? Dig Ditches. 

Make room for God. Dig in faith, believing the water/blessing will come. Dig as deep as you want to receive. Continue to get in the Word, pray, worship, attend church, etc...

God will supply the water and fill those ditches you’ve dug. He will bring times of refreshing. “It’s a light thing for God to do.” 

Rain is coming beloved. Dig in faith. You will drink deeply. 

You will seek Me and find Me, when you seek Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord. Jeremiah 29:13-14

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