Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Enthusiasm”
Our Bible verse for today: “Lord, please open his eyes and let him see.” 2 Kings 6:17 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “Spiritual insight dispels fear and fuels enthusiasm.”
The man was afraid, and disheartened. The king of Aram was a formidable foe, and he was mad. He was so mad that he dispatched a large military force to surround the city of Dotham where the prophet Elisha and his servant were residing. That was what the servant was so disturbed about.
The background story to all of this is that Elisha had been receiving visions from God regarding the nefarious plans of the king of Aram. Elisha shared those insights with the king of Israel, who was then able to outmaneuver the king of Aram and defeat him time and time again. The king of Aram quickly came to the conclusion that the only logical solution was to capture Elisha so he could no longer provide divine guidance to the king of Israel – thus the army which now surrounded the city of Dothan.
And so the servant of Elisha was fearful, and few things will kill-off enthusiasm like fear. But interestingly, Elisha, faced with the exact same circumstances, wasn’t fearful or disheartened at all. Instead he was bold and confident. What was the difference? Elisha saw the spiritual reality which his servant was missing.
In verses 16-17 we read: “Elisha said (to his servant), ‘Don’t be afraid, for those who are with us outnumber those who are with them.’ 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.”
So how do you think the servant of Elisha felt then? The Bible doesn’t say, but I’m sure that once he saw that army of mighty angels who had assembled to assist them, his fear was gone, his heart was lifted, and his enthusiasm returned.
There’s a lesson in this for us. It’s expressed in another great passage of Scripture, which we find in Isaiah 41:10. There we read, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold onto you with My righteous right hand.”
Whenever you sense fear and despair beginning to set-in, ask God to open your eyes to the spiritual realities of the situation. You’re not alone and you are not defeated. Instead, you can boldly and enthusiastically face whatever the situation is because the One who is with you, and who has committed to care for you and protect you, is greater than those who have come against you.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 