Many of us are only seeing things in a natural sense instead of seeing them in a spiritual sense

Open Our Eyes Lord
By: Donna J. Kazenske


In 2 Kings Chapter 6, the word of God exposes something very interesting about the prophet Elisha. We are given a small glimpse of the spiritual perception in this man's life. While Elisha was able to perceive situations in a spiritual sense, his servant perceived things in a natural sense. As a result of seeing things in the natural realm only, Elisha's servant was susceptible to fear.

The King of Syria did not appreciate how the Lord was using the prophet Elisha to expose his plans. So, he sent horses and chariots and a great army to surround the place where Elisha and his servant were staying. When Elisha's servant saw the enemy encompassed around them, he said, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" Elisha's servant was full of fear because of what he saw in the natural realm.

2 Kings 6:16 - Elisha answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

How could Elisha say such a thing? There was no one else with Elisha and his servant. It was just the two of them completely surrounded by the enemy.

Naturally speaking, this was true. Spiritually speaking this was not true.

2 Kings 6:17 - "And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then 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.

What happened here? Elisha prayed for his servant's spiritual eyes to be opened so that he could see what was really going on around them. The Lord quickly responded to Elisha's prayer of faith, and his servant finally saw in the realm of the Spirit. He was able to see what Elisha was seeing by the power of the Holy Spirit.

I believe that many of us are only seeing things in a natural sense instead of seeing them in a spiritual sense, and as a result of our veiled and limited eyesight, we are missing out on what the Lord is really doing in our midst.

We tend to look at our natural circumstances and feel that God is nowhere to be found, when in reality, He is right there in our midst. If we could only see what the Lord is doing through our spiritual eyesight, we would be amazed. If we could only see the hosts of heavenly angels and heavenly beings surrounding us in the midst of our adverse circumstances, we would be full of faith, hope and peace instead of fear and resentment.

Seeing and perceiving things in a natural sense is good, but many times, we need to see or perceive things by the Spirit. We need to pray that God would allow us to see into the realm of the Spirit those things which are really taking place. We need to see the full picture, instead of just a portion of it. We need to see the things that Jesus sees. We need to see through His eyes, by the power of His Holy Spirit.

I believe there are many times when Jesus intercedes on our behalf to the Father in heaven saying, "Father, open their eyes that they might see what I see."

The devil enjoys seeing God's people filled with fear, because fear will keep them from doing the will of God. Fear will paralyze them and cause them to step backward instead of stepping forward in power and authority.

What we see determines where we go.

If we can't see it by the Spirit, we will not be able to go there.

Some of you are in desperate situations. Fear has gripped your heart because you are only seeing your circumstances in the natural sense. You need to ask the Lord to open your spiritual eyes to see what He is doing in the spiritual aspect of things. You are not seeing what God is seeing for your situation.

Some of you are mad at God for things that are currently happening in your lives. Some of you are not perceiving your situation by the Spirit of God; you are only perceiving your situation in the natural. Therefore, you have become discouraged thinking God is not for you but against you. This is not God's plan for your life. He wants you to see what He is doing behind the scenes. He wants your spiritual eyes to be opened so that you can see what He is doing in and through your situation. He is there! He has not forsaken you! He has not left you on your own to self destruct. He is doing great things in your midst. You just need your spiritual eyes to be opened to see it by the Spirit.

Psalm 42:5 - "Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance."

How do we have hope in God? By seeing what He sees. When we walk by faith and not by sight (that which we see in the natural); when we understand that Christ in us is the hope of glory.

Our hope is not dependent upon our circumstances. Our hope is in God who is Lord of our circumstances. He holds us in the palm of His hands. His plans and purposes for us are good! He is working behind the scenes to bring us into the places of fullness and revelation in Him. He is faithfully working on our behalf to bring us into the place of fulfilling our destiny in Him. No weapon formed against us will prosper. God has a plan for our lives.

Why don't you take a moment right now and ask the Lord to open your spiritual eyes that you might be able to see what God is doing behind the scenes. Many of you are in the fire and cannot understand what God is doing. Don't fight against God. Allow Him to purge you and bring you through the fire as He sees fit. Allow Him to take you through the process that is necessary for the fulfillment of what He has in store for your future. He knows exactly what He is doing. Don't question Him. Yield to the working of His Spirit and allow Him to do what He desires to do in you.

There will come a time in your walk with God when you will be able to look back to this very moment, and you will find yourself thanking God that He allowed you to go through this process.