LESSONS FROM ELISHA: WHEN YOU CANNOT SEE THE WAY, ASK FOR THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE

Key Text: “And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see.” 2 Kings 6:17

One morning, Elisha’s servant woke up and saw that the city was surrounded by the Syrian army. His immediate conclusion was understandable: “Alas, my master! how shall we do?” Elisha, however, saw something completely different. He said, “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” The funny thing is that the servant was looking at the same city, the same army and the same situation, but he was interpreting it from a completely different perspective.

Elisha did not deny that the enemy was there. Faith is not pretending that problems do not exist. The enemy was genuinely surrounding them. What Elisha knew was that what was visible was not the whole story. He therefore prayed that his servant’s eyes would be opened, and when his eyes were opened, he saw the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire. Sometimes what you need is not necessarily a change in your situation first; you need God to change the way you see the situation.

This happens in everyday life. You can look at your empty account and conclude, “There is no way forward.” You can look at your current ministry attendance and think, “Nothing is happening.” You can look at your career and assume you have missed your opportunity. But God may be working in places you cannot currently see. Your limited view should never become your final conclusion. Before you panic, pray. Before you conclude, ask God for perspective. Sometimes the breakthrough begins when God helps you see what was already around you.

Prayers and Confession
Father, open my eyes to see beyond what is immediately visible. Deliver me from fear, anxiety and conclusions based only on circumstances. Give me spiritual perspective to recognize Your presence, Your provision and the possibilities You have placed around me. I will not allow what I see to determine everything I believe. God is with me, and His presence is greater than the opposition around me. My eyes are open to see God’s possibilities, provision and purpose in every situation.

Reflection
What situation are you currently interpreting only from what you can see, and what might change if you deliberately brought God’s perspective into it?

Further Reading: 2 Kings 6:8-18; Psalm 121:1-2; Romans 8:31; 2 Corinthians 4:18; Hebrews 11:1