Devotional of the week: The God of the Unseen (5 in ‘Fear Not’ series)

Elijah ascends to heaven in a chariot of fire. Gustave Doré.

^“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 2 Kings 6:8-23

Some years ago, I prayed regularly with a friend who was going through an excruciating time. She had experienced betrayal and she feared for her safety. Each week we would pray for God’s mercy, love, and protection into their lives. One morning while we prayed, I felt the verse above bubble up within me. I couldn’t remember where it was in the Bible, but quickly located it with the help of an internet search. “Ah, the chariots of fire!” I exclaimed.

We read through the story with new eyes, for we felt that God was reassuring her that he had erected around her an unseen army. She could rest and be at peace, even though a battle might be raging.

Elisha was a wise prophet, and through years of faithfulness had honed his spiritual vision. He knew that the armies of the Lord were far greater than the ones bearing down on him as sent by the king of Aram. And he knew that the Lord Almighty was more powerful than any human warrior. But his servant feared, so he asked God to open his eyes to what was unseen but real. Then Elisha asked God to strike the army blind, and they were. But amazingly he didn’t have his enemies killed. Instead he put on a great feast for them and sent them back to their master. They then stopped troubling him.

A prayer I often repeat is that God would open my spiritual eyes, that I might witness his power and mercy. What is going on in the heavenlies is real, though we, living in a materialistic age, might be skeptical. Or fear might keep us from trusting God. But as we witness his saving grace, as with Elisha, our faith becomes a firm foundation.

Prayer: Lord of the heavens and the earth, open our eyes that we might glimpse the saving work you are effecting in our lives, and in those around us.