Seeing Beyond Fear: Unveiling Spiritual Reality in a Blind World
2 Kings 5-6; Romans 16; Psalm 142
I’m convinced that the root of all our problems, whatever they are, is that for the most part, we are blind men walking. We grope along in our doubt, feeling our way through, scared of every rustle and creak. We need constant bolstering and encouragement to step out and believe because we are not able to see.
We worry and fret because we don’t believe. And why don’t we? Because we can’t see.
Revelation 4:1 “After this I looked, and behold, a door standing open in heaven!…”
We need to BEHOLD.
What we see… who we see, will change everything about how we stand and walk and move in our faith.
I love this story:
2 Kings 6:15-17 “When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”
The servant was seeing alright. He was seeing the actual conditions. They were surrounded, to be sure. And he was wise in his spiritual blindness, if you will. In other words, he wasn’t worried for no reason. There was a very real threat. I’m not going to knock the guy for being in fear. He was in fear because of his very real condition. But that’s just the thing. There’s more than meets the eye.
“Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”
The servant was invited to behold, and so are we. Trying to convince ourselves not to fret when all we can see is terrifying is futile. The key is beholding.
Father, today we ask that you would open our eyes so that we may see. We want to see you as you are! Heal us of our spiritual blindness. Make us whole.
Deepening Faith: Reflective Journal Prompts
- Beholding Beyond Our Fears: Reflect on a recent situation where your fears were based on what you could see with your physical eyes. How might the story of Elisha and his servant challenge you to ask God to open your spiritual eyes?
- Identifying Spiritual Blindness: Consider areas in your life where you might be experiencing spiritual blindness. What are you most afraid of, and how can you invite God to help you see these situations from His perspective?
- The Power of God’s Presence: Reflect on the concept of “beholding” as seen in Revelation 4:1 and 2 Kings 6. How does knowing that God’s powerful presence surrounds you change the way you face challenges?
- Elisha’s Prayer for Sight: Imagine you are the servant in the story of 2 Kings 6, and Elisha is praying for your eyes to be opened. Write a prayer expressing your desire for God to reveal His chariots of fire in your current circumstances.
- Walking by Faith, Not by Sight: How can you practice walking by faith and not by sight in your daily life? Consider practical steps you can take to strengthen your faith when what you see around you is intimidating or discouraging.
No matter the time of year, it’s never too late to start reading through the Bible with us. We invite you to join our community and embark on this enriching experience. You can access the reading schedule here to get started today. Explore the timeless wisdom of Scripture, grow in your faith, and engage in meaningful discussions with fellow readers. Don’t miss out on this incredible journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth.
Embark on a transformative journey with us by joining our mailing list. As a subscriber, you’ll receive heartfelt devotionals, insightful updates, and inspiration. Together, we’ll deepen our faith, connect on a deeper level, and embrace life’s beauty. Don’t miss out on this chance to be part of our close-knit community. Let’s start this faith-filled journey together. Subscribe today and let’s go after God with all of our hearts.
Additionally, we are excited to introduce “Prayer Altars” — our new initiative that embodies the belief that prayer alters our reality! In these intimate groups of 2-3, we’re fostering a revival in our everyday lives and surroundings. Our mission is to cultivate deeper connections with God and each other, united in communion and guided by the Lord’s Prayer. Build your Prayer Altar to experience firsthand how prayer can transform not just your life, but also the lives of those around you. Learn more and join the movement here.
