I thought we were out of the woods with the opening of retail stores, restaurants, elementary schools, universities, etc.… However, that was short-lived! Again, we find ourselves subjected to closed churches and beaches, missed fireworks on the fourth of July and avoidance of social gatherings. Each restriction of our “old” life is compounded by our unwilling acceptance. For me, the old normal was good enough…there is no need for a “new” normal.
There is an interesting exchange in II Kings 6 between Elisha and his faithful servant. In my opinion, prophets don’t “get a break” because they consistently cry out truth and no one wants to hear it! So enraged by this prophet’s message, King Ben-hadad sent his soldiers by night to surround the town where the prophet ministered and the object was to kill Elisha and everyone in Dothan!
With so many depictions of this scenario currently on TV in mini-series, complete with swords and armor, it is not difficult to visualize this happening (not to forget...the riots in our streets!). Elisha’s servant had risen early and gone out, only to become acutely aware of the overwhelming presence of horses and chariots swirling around the city. He ran in fear to tell his master Elisha and ask, “Alas, my Lord, what shall we do?”
Elisha, the hated prophet, simply stated,” Do not fear …for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then, Elisha prayed and asked to the Lord to “open the eyes of his servant, so he could see.”
See what??
This is the good part…
“And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha! I don’t know about you, but I am mighty glad for those chariots of fire, as I face life and the days ahead.
It gets better…
Elisha prayed to God, “Strike the people with blindness.” And HE did! And they never returned!
It is easy to be blinded by the world and its false message. The prophet Elisha led the way in exposing those of us who know God’s ways and follow Him, to the undeniable truth that “those who are with us are more than those who are with them”.
Let’s ask God to… “Open our eyes”!
Little eyes are watching…
~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America. Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California. My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights.
