Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man… and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. – 2 Kings 6:17
The servant did not see the full picture. He saw what was against him, but he did not see Who was for him. Elisha wants him to have peace, so he prays, “O LORD, please open his eyes” (6:17).
Paul says that we “walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7). To walk by sight means that we are controlled by what we see around us, and that leads to fear. To walk by faith means that we believe what the eyes cannot see: God is with us.
Faith counts on God as much as you would if you could see Him sitting in the seat next to you, as much as you would if you could hear Him speak to you in an audible voice.
Walking by sight leads to fear, but walking by faith brings peace: “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7).
That’s what Elisha had here: a peace that passes understanding. The student couldn’t understand it until God opened his eyes, and then he saw that the power of God is greater than all the powers arrayed against him.
Do you see today that God stands with you and is for you? Do you see that nothing can ever touch you apart from His will? If you do, you will have peace.
Pray this prayer when you are afraid: “Lord, open my eyes. Help me to see that you are with me. Help me to see that your power is greater than the powers arrayed against me.”
