Do We Have A Case Of Spiritual Blindness?

2 Kings 8-23 tells the story of how Elisha captures an army. But what we will focus on today are verses fifteen - seventeen.

Spiritual eyesight is needed in our walk with the Lord. We should learn to see the spiritual dangers that are around us.

Elisha’s servant had woken up early and saw the Syrian army encompassed about them. We can sense the fear in his voice as he goes to tell Elisha what he has seen. The devil does the same thing to us. Something in our lives may occur and we become afraid, we become unsure. This is just natural; for man is weak by nature.

But why is this? Especially for a Christian. The Bible tells us that God is always with us.

• Exodus 14:13 - fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD.

• Deuteronomy 31:6 - or the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

• Matthew 28:20 – and lo, I am with you always.

• Romans 8:31 – if God be for us, who can be against us?

• Hebrews 13:5 – for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

So why was the servant afraid? Could he not see what God was doing or was preparing to do? Could he not see the angels camped about them?

• Psalm 34:7 - The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.

• Psalm 91:11 - For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

But by verse seventeen, the servant of Elisha was presently not apprehensive when he saw God's powerful radiant armed force. Faith uncovers that God is supporting his children even though we cannot acknowledge it through our physical sight alone. Whenever we face challenges that appear to be inconceivable, we need to recollect those spiritual assets that are there regardless of whether we can see them or not. We need to glance through the eyes of confidence and allow God to show us the resources that he has. On the off chance that we do not see God working in our lives, then, at that point, the issue might be our spiritual visual perception is flawed, not with the power of God.

Why is it that sometimes we Christians cannot seem to open our eyes of faith? Faith can reveal that God is doing more than people realize. Faith is trusting in God. Living by faith shows obedience to God.

• Hebrews 11:1 – now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen

• Habakkuk 2:4 – but the just shall live by faith

• Romans 1:17 – the just shall live by faith

• Galatians 2:20 – I live by the faith of the Son of God

• Galatians 3:11 – the just shall live by faith

• Hebrews 10:38 – now the just shall live by faith

Church Hymnal, page 162, “Living by Faith”

I care not today what the morrow may bring, if shadow or sunshine or rain.

The Lord I know ruleth o’er everything, and all of my worry is vain.

Living by faith in Jesus above, trusting, confiding in His great love.

From all harm safe in His sheltering arm, I’m living by faith and feel no alarm.

Spiritual resources are there, we just have to look for them. Is our spiritual blindness temporary or is it permanent? Is it a partial blindness or is it a full blindness? Is it in one eye or is it in both eyes? Do we need to go to the eye doctor? Do we need eye drops or an eye ointment? Do we need corrective eyewear or surgery?

• Matthew 6:33 - But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

• Matthew 7:7 - Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you