Tuesday, July 18, 2006
2 Kings 6:17 And Elisha prayed, and said, "LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
ELISHA (SURROUNDED)
As I write this I'm hearing a radio report of a rocket hitting a hospital in northern Israel. Will Israel soon be at war with Syria and Iran? If so, how long before we're dragged in? What about North Korea? Can we let Kim Jong Il get away with developing long range nuclear warheads? If we try to stop him, how will China respond? People are getting nervous. Is World War III right around the corner?
Jesus told us we can expect wars and rumors of wars right up until the end. War is not, however, an easy thing for us creatures of dust to face. With four sons, two of which are already teenagers, I personally dread the thought of them being called off someday to fight in some bloody war.
Elisha's servant shares my trepidation. A large contingent of Syrian forces was surrounding the city of Dothan looking for Elisha. When the servant sees the threat, he responds much like many today are responding over current threats: "Alas . . . what shall we do!?"
It was then that Elisha prayed that his servant's eyes would be opened. His prayer was answered. "And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."
We live in troubling times. But through the Word the Spirit opens our eyes to show that our loving Father is in control. With Him we can have inner peace even in the midst of war. We know that one day He will take us Home, where the pain and sorrow of war will be as a forgotten dream. In the mean time we're surrounded. Surrounded by God's angels. Surrounded by His unfailing love. Surrounded by His sweet grace, which assures us of forgiveness and life eternal through faith in Christ. May God keep America from war. Most of all, may His peace, which passes all understanding, stand watch over our trembling hearts.
