One of the most important roles of the prophet is to provide a view of the reality as God sees it, rather than simply relying of what the human brain can discern from life circumstances. It is rare when others are let in on the heavenly vision, but one such instance is found in 2 Kings 6.14-17. The servant of Elisha is overwrought when he sees the vast army of the enemy surrounding the city.

All the servant could see was the army of the enemies of Israel, but Elisha had the eye of the Lord available to him. He spoke to him: ‘Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed, ‘O LORD, open his eyes so he may see.’ There is a difference between the eye of the body and the eye of the Lord.

What a shock that must have been to the servant! What he now saw with his very own eyes was the reality of God, as the author continues: 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. Yes, the armies of the enemy were all around the city where they were standing, but that was not all there was to be seen.

The army of God was poised for service if called upon, and their power far outweighed that of the invading army. The lesson is clear. When we find that we are surrounded by the forces of the enemy of God, we need to ask God to open the eyes of our spirits that we might see heavenly reality, and to stand firm in the victory he guarantees to us. OPEN MY EYES, LORD, THAT I MIGHT SEE YOU!