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while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen [are] temporary, but the things which are not seen [are] eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18 NKJV
In the above verse, the apostle Paul joyfully encourages his readers to keep the eyes of their hearts focused on the unseen and on the eternal rather than on the seen and the temporary.
It’s not always easy to focus on what is unseen and eternal. That’s why the Old Testament Elisha’s servant was so frightened when he woke up one morning and saw a huge army of Arameans surrounding them and the entire city of Dothan (see 2 Kings 6:8-22).
Elisha, though, saw things very differently. “Don’t be afraid,” he answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (2 Kings 6:16). When Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see” (2 Kings 6:17), immediately his servant looked up and saw huge numbers of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
God didn’t open the servant’s physical eyes at that moment. Those were working just fine. Instead, He opened his spiritual eyes so that he could be comforted and encouraged in knowing that God was in control and that there was nothing to fear.
Prayer: Lord, when I feel frightened or anxious, do for me what You did for Elisha’s servant: open my spiritual eyes that I might focus on the unseen and the eternal.
In the above verse, the apostle Paul joyfully encourages his readers to keep the eyes of their hearts focused on the unseen and on the eternal rather than on the seen and the temporary.
It’s not always easy to focus on what is unseen and eternal. That’s why the Old Testament Elisha’s servant was so frightened when he woke up one morning and saw a huge army of Arameans surrounding them and the entire city of Dothan (see 2 Kings 6:8-22).
Elisha, though, saw things very differently. “Don’t be afraid,” he answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (2 Kings 6:16). When Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see” (2 Kings 6:17), immediately his servant looked up and saw huge numbers of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
God didn’t open the servant’s physical eyes at that moment. Those were working just fine. Instead, He opened his spiritual eyes so that he could be comforted and encouraged in knowing that God was in control and that there was nothing to fear.
Prayer: Lord, when I feel frightened or anxious, do for me what You did for Elisha’s servant: open my spiritual eyes that I might focus on the unseen and the eternal.
