I. Introduction
I recently read this statement about loss of sight. Vision
problems may signal serious health conditions, and they can increase your risk for injury or death. I asserted last week that we have become so consumed with earthly things and in a knee jerk response to seeing demons behind every bush and angels in every hitchhiker we now struggle to see into the other dimension that Scripture plainly says is a reality. And what is true in the natural is also true in regards to the supernatural. Vision problems may signal serious spiritual health conditions and can increase our risk for injury or death.
It is essential that every believer develop the ability to discern and see into the spiritual realm to properly defend and make good choices.
I assert it again until we get it.
Unseen doesn't mean unreal!
From Genesis to Revelation there are at least 300 encounters detailed where the main characters encountered angels or spiritual forces outside our dimension. Why should we think that this regular interaction with this other realm be limited to the pages of Scripture? Why would we think that we are exempt from having the supernatural operating around us as well. The writer of Ephesians wanted to make sure we didn't lose our sight. So, he says . . .
Ephesians 6:12
For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies,
but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
There it is the unseen world.
So, let's go back to the account I read to you last week. Last week we examined this account and talked about what happens when you can't see. This week I want us to look at what happens when you are sighted!
2 Kings 6:13-23
“Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.” Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city. When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike this army with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked. Elisha told them, “This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for.” And he led them to Samaria. After they entered the city, Elisha said, “Lord, open the eyes of these men so they can see.” Then the Lord opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria. When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?” “Do not kill them,” he answered. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.” So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel’s territory.
It is important to see because . . .
When you can see there is no panic, there is a plan.
Last week we said that being blind to the supernatural could lead to fear. The servant freaks out and asks what are we going to do. But when you are sighted there is no scared. Elisha's ability to see into the supernatural resulted in him being cool, calm and collected. Why didn't he panic? Because he knew there was a plan.
We know there is a plan don't we?
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans
to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
When we can see we recognize that even pain full, unexpected, unwanted situations are only paths to the plan. When we recognize that our steps are ordered, then we don't panic when those steps lead us to impossible circumstances. We simply relax and work the plan!
The people I see that panic are those who can't see. Open your eyes to the plan again. What has He said He would do in your life? What has He spoken about your future? If you can see, then you won't scare.
Remember the disciples on the boat during the storm? They panic because they forgot the plan! Remember what Jesus said to them before they ever started the trip? Let's go across. They forgot that He had already said they would survive. Eyes off of plan led to panic!
When you can see you will not settle for temporary solutions but press for permanent victory.
Notice that Elisha sees that his enemies are surrounded! He could have spoken the word and won an immediate victory. He could have wiped out this opposing army, been considered a great hero, been safe for the moment. However, because he was sighted Elisha recognized that there was another choice. He could make another decision that would lead to the threat being permanently addressed. Scripture is clear because he saw clearly the last statement is that this invading army never invaded again! He didn't just win a battle he won the war.
It is essential for us to see because too many of us are settling for momentary pauses in attacks, week long victories, month long truces when permanent victory is in reach. We make choices that feel good for a few days. We feel love for a few months. We feel satisfied for a few seconds. But if we see into the other realm, then we know that permanent victory is available. Quit making permanent decisions about temporary situations. Open you eyes and see.
When you can see . . . backup should turn into a step up.
The servant couldn't see so he was ready to surrender. But Elisha could see. Because he could see Elisha recognized they had backup, so he stepped up. Lack of recognition of backup causes a step back. Sight leads to a step up.
Listen when you know that God is fighting for you it should cause you to step up and believe. I read Psalm 91 to you last week. I read Romans 8:31 "If God is for you then who can be against you!" Let me add some more sight to you today . . .
"The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”
Exodus 14:14
“Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you.” Deut. 3:22
"For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."
Deut. 20:4
When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. Psalm 34:17
"Through You we will push back our adversaries; Through Your name we will trample down those who rise up against us." Ps. 44:5
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.” Isaiah 54:17
But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one. 2 Thessalonians 3:3
You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that He hears us-whatever we ask-we know that we have what we have asked of Him. 1 John 5:14-15
Why are you backing up? You've got back up. Step up. Trust. Take a chance. Move forward. Operate in strength and authority. I think too many of us expect intervention when what we really need is inspiration! Let the fact that you can see that you have back up cause you to back down the enemy! Come on fight. Come on believe. Come exercise faith!
Some of us would respond differently if we would open our eyes and see we aren’t alone - he opened eyes of servant and blinded enemies - may be do that today.
