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2 Kings 6 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
When the servant of the man of God got up early and went out, he discovered an army with horses and chariots surrounding the city. So he asked Elisha, “Oh, my master, what are we to do?” 16 Elisha said, “Don’t be afraid, for those who are with us outnumber those who are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed, “LORD, please open his eyes and let him see.” So the LORD opened the servant’s eyes. He looked and saw that the mountain was covered with horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
2 Kings 6:15-17 HCSB
We often misinterpret the events taking place in our lives because we fail to see things with spiritual eyes. The opening of our eyes is such a simple act, yet, it cannot be done in our own strength. There are several points to consider here.
Is Relationship Greater Than Change?
Elisha did not pray that God would change the situation for his servant to believe but this is often how we pray for those who cannot see God. We gravitate toward pieces of evidence and colossal spiritual events. If God can just change such and such situation in this person’s life, then they will believe! This was not the case. Nothing changed except the servant’s perspective.
The vision he gained was literally not of this world and could not be seen by just anyone. There had to be a work of God and this work was a reflex of the pleading prayer from Elisha. Is this how you pray? Do you pray for change in a person’s life or perspective? Because change may produce evidence but I would argue that perspective produces faith.
“Faith is never the imagining of unreal things. It is the grip of things which cannot be demonstrated to the senses, but which are real. The chariots of horses and fire were actually there.”
G. Campbell Morgan
The other factor to consider is that God often shows us He cares before He shows us His changes. When you are wrestling through stress and anxiety, which would you rather have – someone who fixes it but doesn’t care or someone who cares but doesn’t fix it? I know that when I’m hurting, I just want someone to love me. I want someone who can relate to me. I want someone who I can be honest with who will stand by me and walk with me through the trial.
But many of us treat God as if He is a genie. We want Him to rush in and fix things and then go away until the next time we are ready to call for Him. This is the difference between a personal God and an impersonal image of God. One is true and the other is a false god formed in our image instead of His.
Elisha knew God. He knew His character and His intimacy. He believed He was loved by God – every single part of him. This enabled Elisha to have a new perspective and deeper vision into spiritual matters. The Lord Jesus Christ walks among you. He is present in our deepest time of need. He has surrounded us with horses and chariots of fire. The question is not if we believe He has the power to deliver us, but whether we believe that despite what we can see, He is ministering to us in our deepest hurts and most chaotic struggles.