Open My Eyes | Stand Firm, Part 2
Key Truth | The Holy Spirit does not open our eyes so we will become consumed with darkness. He opens our eyes so we can recognize the presence and power of God.
Key Scripture | “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” — 2 Kings 6:17
Have you ever been in a situation where the problem became almost impossible to see past?
It happens easily. One difficult conversation can consume our thoughts. One unexpected diagnosis can suddenly make the future feel uncertain. One financial need, one family struggle, one unanswered prayer can become so large in our minds that it seems to fill the entire horizon.
Fear has a way of doing that. It narrows our vision until what is wrong becomes the biggest thing we can see.
There is a story in 2 Kings about a young servant who experienced exactly that. Elisha’s servant woke up one morning to every reason to panic.
An enemy army had surrounded the city. Horses and chariots were everywhere, and from everything he could see, the situation looked hopeless. His question was understandable: “What will we do now?”
I have asked some version of that question more times than I can count.
What are we going to do if this does not work out? What if the answer does not come? What if things get worse? What if what I am seeing right now really is as hopeless as it feels?
Elisha saw the same army his servant saw, but he was not looking at the situation from the same perspective.
“Don’t be afraid,” he told him. “There are more on our side than on theirs.” Then Elisha prayed something surprisingly simple: “Lord, open his eyes.”
God did not immediately remove the enemy army. Instead, He allowed the servant to see what had already been there. Suddenly the hills surrounding Elisha were filled with horses and chariots of fire.
The servant had not been abandoned. He simply could not see everything God was doing.
That is an important distinction.
Sometimes we ask God to change our circumstances when what we desperately need first is for Him to change our perspective.
Fear has a way of narrowing our vision until the problem becomes the biggest thing we can see. We see the diagnosis, the finances, the conflict, the uncertainty, the child who is struggling, the door that closed, or the future we cannot control.
And God gently reminds us, You are not seeing the whole picture.
The Holy Spirit opens our eyes not so we will spend our lives searching for demons behind every problem, but so we will become increasingly aware of God. His presence. His protection. His faithfulness. His truth.
The unseen reality surrounding you includes more than opposition. It includes the presence of God.
Instead of only asking God to remove what frightens you, ask Him to help you see Him clearly in the middle of it.
The situation may not change immediately, but your perspective can.
Reflection
Prayer | Lord, open my eyes. When fear convinces me that what I see is all there is, remind me that You are working in ways I cannot always recognize. Help me become more aware of Your presence than I am of the things that frighten me. Give me faith to trust what You see when I cannot see the whole picture. Amen.
Additional Scripture
Key Scripture | “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” — 2 Kings 6:17
Have you ever been in a situation where the problem became almost impossible to see past?
It happens easily. One difficult conversation can consume our thoughts. One unexpected diagnosis can suddenly make the future feel uncertain. One financial need, one family struggle, one unanswered prayer can become so large in our minds that it seems to fill the entire horizon.
Fear has a way of doing that. It narrows our vision until what is wrong becomes the biggest thing we can see.
There is a story in 2 Kings about a young servant who experienced exactly that. Elisha’s servant woke up one morning to every reason to panic.
An enemy army had surrounded the city. Horses and chariots were everywhere, and from everything he could see, the situation looked hopeless. His question was understandable: “What will we do now?”
I have asked some version of that question more times than I can count.
What are we going to do if this does not work out? What if the answer does not come? What if things get worse? What if what I am seeing right now really is as hopeless as it feels?
Elisha saw the same army his servant saw, but he was not looking at the situation from the same perspective.
“Don’t be afraid,” he told him. “There are more on our side than on theirs.” Then Elisha prayed something surprisingly simple: “Lord, open his eyes.”
God did not immediately remove the enemy army. Instead, He allowed the servant to see what had already been there. Suddenly the hills surrounding Elisha were filled with horses and chariots of fire.
The servant had not been abandoned. He simply could not see everything God was doing.
That is an important distinction.
Sometimes we ask God to change our circumstances when what we desperately need first is for Him to change our perspective.
Fear has a way of narrowing our vision until the problem becomes the biggest thing we can see. We see the diagnosis, the finances, the conflict, the uncertainty, the child who is struggling, the door that closed, or the future we cannot control.
And God gently reminds us, You are not seeing the whole picture.
The Holy Spirit opens our eyes not so we will spend our lives searching for demons behind every problem, but so we will become increasingly aware of God. His presence. His protection. His faithfulness. His truth.
The unseen reality surrounding you includes more than opposition. It includes the presence of God.
Instead of only asking God to remove what frightens you, ask Him to help you see Him clearly in the middle of it.
The situation may not change immediately, but your perspective can.
Reflection
- What circumstance has become so large in my vision that I am struggling to see God in the middle of it?
- Where can I already identify evidence of God’s presence or faithfulness?
Prayer | Lord, open my eyes. When fear convinces me that what I see is all there is, remind me that You are working in ways I cannot always recognize. Help me become more aware of Your presence than I am of the things that frighten me. Give me faith to trust what You see when I cannot see the whole picture. Amen.
Additional Scripture
- Psalm 121:1–8
- Psalm 34:4–7
- Isaiah 41:10
- Romans 8:31–39
- 2 Corinthians 4:16–18
We'd love to hear from you! Let us know in the comments what God is speaking to you as you read these devotionals. If you haven't already subscribed to receive our devotional emails right to your inbox, hit the subscribe button below and invite your family and friends to subscribe as well! Thank you for being a part of our Opendoor Devotional Community. We appreciate you!
No Comments