travelling light (daily devotions for your elective)

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Day 37: Spiritual Vision

II Kings 6: 8 - 17
Spiritual Vision

We often feel overwhelmed by situations that seem impossible. The king of Aram was furious as his raids into Israel were repeatedly thwarted. Having discovered that Elisha the prophet knows his plans and warns the king of Israel of the raids, he sends ‘horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city’ (v14).

Elisha’s servant is up early the next morning and sees the overwhelming force arrayed against them - impossible odds humanly speaking. He calls out to Elisha, bewildered, ‘what shall we do?’

Often in our NHS jobs and certainly in missionary medical work, there are times where the demands and pressures seem overwhelming and we too can cry out ‘What shall we do?’

I love the peace in Elisha as he reassures his servant, and says: ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ Humanly it’s a ridiculous statement, wishful thinking, and an ostrich-with-head-in-the-sand type of reaction. But Elisha has his spiritual vision and he knows the real situation in the light of eternity.

He prays, therefore, not for himself but for his frightened servant ‘O LORD, open his eyes so he may see’ and God graciously answers, allowing the servant to view what Elisha could already see - the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

God repeatedly in His word reassures us to ‘Fear not’. He says time and time again, ‘for I am with you… Nothing can separate you from My love… Be not dismayed for I am your God…’

Let us pray that our eyes may be opened so, like David, we do not fear the giants but know we are safe with our heavenly Father always with us.

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (I John 4: 4)

Prayer and Action
Commit to God in prayer any seemingly impossible situations that are causing you to worry, thanking God that He is able to give you strength to face them.