Look Again

“And Elisha prayed and said, ‘Lord, I pray Thee, open his eyes, that he may see.’” (2 Kings 6:17a)

Waking early that morning, Gehazi was afraid when he saw the Syrian army's chariots and horses encompassed the city. Elisha told his fearful servant that those who were with them were more than those against them and asked God to “open his eyes” so his servant could see what he saw: “The mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha” (v. 17b). Gehazi then saw God’s truth.

The god of this world seeks ways to deceive and strike fear in our hearts and minds as he stands against us but can accomplish that only if we let him. When you feel pressed and surrounded by the enemy, God Almighty wants to open your eyes and see from His perspective; wanting you to trust Him. When you are fearful or uncertain, ask God our Father to open your eyes to His truth, then look again. Now, what do you see? He is the Victor, encompassing the enemies of our lives that seem to overpower us. He sent His Son into the world to save us; He stands with us and for us.

Fairness Is Not the Issue

“And the king’s servants said unto the king, ‘Behold thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.’” (2 Samuel 15:15)

One of the first signs of winter’s soon-coming arrival is that light layer of snow-like crystals that settled on housetops and landscape while you slept. An early frost enhances ripening satsumas' sweetness, but the same icy beauty is detrimental to most flowering plants.

Believers are responsible for what we’ve learned from God’s Word and accountable for where we are in our spiritual walk. That’s one reason why some things in life are okay for one person but not for another, so don’t get in a twist when someone seems to “get away with” doing or not doing something God requires of you. As servants of King Jesus, develop the attitude like that of King David’s servants; ready to do whatever your Lord the King assigns—without complaints or question (Colossians 3:17). As Christians mature, God expects more to heighten their walk with Him than He does from a new believer; that expectation would be too much, harmful, for the newer babe in Christ to handle.

God loves you and knows what’s best for your spiritual well-being. If He allows others to receive honor and praise for their work for Him while your work stays vague or unknown behind the scenes, so be it. Others can be slack in their walk, while the Holy Spirit pricks you to the bone when you are. Fairness is not the issue. Thank God for His convicting power in your life. He will never treat you unfairly, but always with the deepest love, nudging you further in service and spiritual growth.

Craftily Using Truth

 ". . .This is not the way, neither is this the city, follow me. . ." (2 Kings 6:19b)

“Little white lies” are not small or white and do not get a pass. But, in times of war, we learn from Old Testament characters that they sometimes used truth differently. It seemed as such in the confrontation of Elisha with the Syrian army. They intended to find God’s prophet in Dothan and take him to the king. But when the massive army of chariots and horses surrounded the city, Elisha prayed and asked God to “smite them with blindness” (v. 18). And God did, but not with physical blindness. Instead, He altered their eyesight and minds; they were unaware of where they were and to whom they spoke. Standing outside the city, Elisha told the Syrians they wouldn’t find the prophet in Dothan and offered to guide them where they would see the one, they pursued. They accepted his service, and God opened their eyes in Samaria, vulnerable in their enemy’s camp. But God didn’t plan their destruction. Instead, sparing their lives, He wanted them to acknowledge His mighty power, and they did.

Craftily using truth is acceptable in warfare times, but not to escape embarrassing moments, grant you advantages, or keep well-kept secrets. Abram told Pharaoh, wanting Sarai for his harem, that she was his sister (to spare his life). She was his half-sister, but also his wife, and didn’t get a pass on that half-truth. When God revealed the truth, Pharaoh rebuked the lying husband (Genesis 12:19). Imagine a pagan king slapping your hand for dishonoring your God!

The strategy of Satan, the god of this world, is to blind the unsuspecting to God’s truth, sometimes causing unawareness of where they are and with whom they are in company. He is the father of lies and speaks deceptively and convincingly, saying, “Follow me.” His lies help no one but himself; some walk after him in confusion, bondage, and others to their destruction. But God sent His Son to open our eyes to His truth. As we rejoice in the birth of the Savior who came to save us, let’s honor God with our words, actions, and influences, speaking the truth of His love and salvation’s freedom from sin and the devil’s grip. 

Little White Lie

“For I was alive without the law once, but when the law came, sin revived, and I died.” (Romans 7:9)

The apostle Paul is not referring to physical death. Adam and Eve were pure and innocent and would have lived forever, walking and talking with God. But they chose to disobey God’s instructions—one wrong choice. In that instant, their physical bodies began to die. More importantly, they died spiritually; their disobedience—sin—severed perfect harmony with God.

There is no such thing as a “little white lie,” although we sometimes live as if they exist. No matter the size, lying is sinful and dark, not white, no matter who spoke it or the reason (James 2:10). If you think God will spare a loved one or friend separation from His presence because of their innocence, age, or circumstances, you’re mistaken. When He first made them aware of a wrong in their life, “the power of sin came to life;” they died spiritually. Harmony with God no longer existed; death and hell awaited, separated from Him. God wouldn’t be fair, granting exceptions for sin in some situations like the “little white lie” or, as Paul’s example, to want something someone else owns (covet). God is righteous and impartial, holding all people mentally capable of knowing right from wrong, accountable for their actions and decisions.

Paul wanted to obey God but struggled with his sinful nature that disrupted his obedience. He asked who would free us from such a life dominated by sin and death and then thanked God, knowing the answer is Jesus Christ, our Lord (vs. 21–25), whose shed blood paid sin’s debt. We contend with the same issue today and must receive the gift God offers for everlasting life with Him. When you ask God to forgive you of your sins and invite Jesus into your life, you are born again; brought back into harmony with your Creator who loves you. Though the sin struggle still exists, you now have the Father, His Son, and the Holy Spirit living in you, helping you live victoriously. As we celebrate Jesus’ birth, thank God that He sent His Son to seek and save this lost and dying world (Luke 19:10). 

 

A Rat's Nest

“And the Lord said unto Satan, From whence cometh thou? And Satan answered the Lord and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down.” (Job 2:2)

Walking into the kitchen, I saw our dog intrigued by a corner of the room. Because the door stays slightly open for the dog’s benefit, I thought a bird had drifted in, which has happened before. But as I approached Scout, a mouse scurried away. It slipped in unaware by me, but our watchful dog saw.

Our enemy patrols the earth back and forth, looking and listening. Unlike God: all-powerful, everywhere at the same time, and knows everything, Satan has limitations; he is powerful, but no comparison to God’s power; he can be in only one place at a time and has limited knowledge. He and his minions watch for your weaknesses and reactions to unfavorable circumstances and use that information against you. If he sees you standing firmly, trusting God, he may attack you full force like he did Job or tempt you to question God’s care or His Word. Other times, he slips into your life like that little mouse unnoticed. He is subtle, but when you are God’s child, the Holy Spirit in you warns you every time if you’re attentive. God’s Word will alert you of intrusions, but you must read, receive, and act on its message—the same is true if He sends messengers your way. Once the intruder is exposed, act swiftly, relying on your heavenly Father’s presence, wisdom, and strength to thwart the enemy’s destructive intentions.

Mice left to run free will take up residence in an unprotected space, multiply, and cause grief. Likewise, the devil takes advantage of unguarded hearts, and what better time than during this busy time of year. Lies and deception are his specialties, luring and distracting the unsuspecting targets. Though not all-powerful like Almighty God, he is still a forceful enemy. Avoid a rat’s nest of havoc; stay alert to the devil’s tactics (1 Peter 5:8–9) and enjoy celebrating the birth of the world's Savior. 

Climbing a Tree

“And he sought to see Jesus who He was, and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before and climbed up into a sycamore tree: for He was to pass that way.” (Luke 19:3–4)

Well-known, wealthy, too-short-to-see-above-the-heads-of-others Zacchaeus shook off any pride he may have harbored because he wanted to see the man about whom he heard so much. So, up the tree, he scurried. It was no regional secret that as the chief tax collector, the people disliked him for overcharging them taxes, gaining him great wealth. When Jesus reached the tree, He looked up and told Zacchaeus to come down because He wanted to visit with him at his house (v. 8). The thief’s heart changed that day; he vowed to give half his wealth to the poor and repay anyone he cheated four times the amount. That’s the difference Jesus makes.

Long before Zacchaeus wanted to see Jesus, God grew the tree needed to meet his need—He made provision for you and me as well. Had Zacchaeus settled for only seeing Jesus that day, he would have climbed down from that tree and stayed a dishonorable man. Instead, he chose to meet with Jesus, and salvation was his.

“Climbing a tree” is unnecessary when overwhelming circumstances and needs block your view of Jesus. God is near and always sees you. When the Father calls your name, He wants you to “come down” to visit with you, no matter where you are, your past decisions, or your current situation. For a life-changing experience like that of Zacchaeus, surrender. God wants to visit with you, rescue you. He has everything you need for eternal, abundant life through the birth, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus, the Christ. 

None Else

“For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God Himself that formed the earth and made it; He hath established it, He made it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord, and there is none else.” (Isaiah 45:18)

The Lord; He is God, none else. He created the heavens from nothing—the sky for stars, sun, moon, and space for planets to hang, and His heavenly domain. He formed the dirtball we call Earth and divided it for habitation by humanity, animals, and other creatures of His handiwork, ready for productivity. The prophet writes that God created all; He alone was and is Almighty and worthy of trust. But sin entered and disrupted God’s perfect creation.

Be attentive to distractions that creep into your life, causing you to lose focus of your Savior inadvertently. Decide that this holiday season will be different. We should never lose sight of the awe and wonder that God loves us so much that He came to earth wrapped in human flesh—the Christ-child born to die for sinful people. As we celebrate Jesus’ birth, the true meaning of Christmas, what will you give Him this year? None else is more worthy of your best.