What Do You See?

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

Gehazi was afraid when he saw the enemy encompassing the city. Elisha told him 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 the hearts and minds of God’s children but can accomplish that only if we let him. When you feel pressed and surrounded by the enemy (who is sometimes you), God Almighty wants you to see that He is all around you, holding you, covering you, going before and behind you. As His child, no one or anything can be against you (Romans 8:31)—the Holy Spirit in you is the guarantee He is with you, guiding you. When fear or uncertainty overwhelm you, ask your Father to open your eyes to His truth, then look again. He is the Victor, standing with us and for us, encompassing the enemies of our lives that seem to overpower us. This assurance is ours through the gift of His Son Jesus. 

Some Can, You Cannot

Believers are accountable for what we’ve learned from God’s Word and our spiritual walk. So don’t get in a twist when someone seems to “get away” with doing or not doing what God requires of you. As servants of King Jesus, we would do well to imitate King David’s servants: “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)—without questions and complaints.

God assigns tasks designed for His kingdom's work and our spiritual well-being. If He allows others to receive recognition for their work while your work for Him stays vague or unknown behind the scenes, so be it. Our Father is impartial, knows what’s best for each of us, and expects obedience from all His children, the seasoned saints and new babes growing in the Lord. He will never treat us unfairly, but always with the deepest love, nudging us further in our walk with Him. As we whole-heartily serve King Jesus, let’s give God glory for sending the Savior of the world.

Little White Lies

No lie is small or white; none get a pass.

Elisha prayed and asked God to “smite the Syrian army with blindness” when they surrounded the city, looking for God’s prophet. God’s blindness 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 him: “. . . This is not the way, neither is this the city, follow me. . .” (2 Kings 6:19b). They accepted his service, and God opened their eyes in Samaria, their enemy’s camp. But God spared their lives, wanting them to acknowledge His mighty power, and they did.

Craftily using truth is acceptable in warfare, but not for escaping embarrassing moments, gaining advantages, or keeping well-kept secrets. The god of this world’s strategy 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, speaking 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 enemy’s grip.

Nibble or Mouth-full

The apostle Paul was not referring to physical death when he wrote: “For I was alive without the law once, but when the law came, sin revived, and I died” (Romans 7:9). Earth’s first couple were sinless and would have lived forever, walking and talking with God, but they chose to bite into the forbidden fruit, disobeying 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. All humanity has or will take a bite of what God said is wrong, a choice that severs us from the Father.

Paul wanted to obey God, but his sinful nature's struggle disrupted his obedience. He asked who would free him from sin’s consequences, devouring his life, and then thanked God, knowing the answer is Jesus Christ, our Lord (vs. 21–25), whose shed blood paid the world’s sin debt. We, too, struggle with sin’s grip and the answer for release is still the same—Jesus, God’s gift for everlasting life with Him. When sinners ask God to forgive their sins and invite Jesus into their life, they are born again, adopted into His family; brought back into harmony with the Creator who loves them; back into that innocent state before they first disobeyed Him. Though the sin struggle still exists, we have the Father, who forgives sinners, His Son, who died for us, rescuing us daily, and the Holy Spirit living in us, securing our salvation and helping us 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). 

The Intruder

The enemy of our soul patrols the earth back and forth, looking and listening: “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 in it” (Job 1:7). Unlike God, who is all-powerful, everywhere simultaneously, and knows everything, Satan has limitations. Although powerful, he falls far short of God’s power, can be in only one place at a time, and has limited knowledge. But he and his minions watch and listen for your weaknesses and reactions to unfavorable circumstances, using those opportunities to wreak havoc in your life with his devilish deeds. He may attack you full force or tempt you to question God’s care and His Word. Other times, he slips into your life like a mouse, quietly and unnoticed, and what better time than during this busy time of year. Lies and deception are his specialties, luring and distracting unguarded and unsuspecting targets. Though not as powerful as Almighty God, he is still a forceful enemy. Stay alert to his tactics (1 Peter 5:8–9) and enjoy celebrating the birth of the world’s Savior. 

Come Down

Climbing a tree today is unnecessary to see Jesus: “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). God grew the tree Zacchaeus needed to meet his need long before he wanted to see Jesus. When Jesus called his name, saying He must abide with him at his house, Zacchaeus quickly came down and joyfully received Him. Had Zacchaeus climbed down, settling for only seeing Jesus that day, he would have stayed a dishonorable tax collector. Instead, he accepted Jesus’ call, salvation was his, and his life dramatically changed.

Have you lost sight of the Savior of the world, the One whose birth we celebrate? There’s no need to climb a tree but climb down from the overwhelming circumstances, busyness, and wants that block your view—know that Jesus sees you, is always near, no matter where you are, your past decisions, or your current situation. God is calling your name, wants to rescue you, and fellowship with you. As with Zacchaeus, He made provision for what you need—eternal, abundant life through the birth, death, and resurrection of His Son, Jesus, the Christ. The Savior is calling your name. For a life-changing experience like that of Zacchaeus, surrender to His Lordship.

Stealthy Creepers

The Lord; He is God: “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). He created the heavens from nothing—His heavenly domain, the sky for stars, sun, moon, and space for planets to hang. He formed the dirtball we call Earth and divided it for habitation by humanity, animals, and other creatures of His handiwork, ready for productivity. God is The Almighty and worthy of trust. But sin entered and disrupted His perfect creation.

Beware of sins so slight that you brush them aside, yet they distant your fellowship with the Creator of all, distractions creeping into your life, diverting your focus of The Almighty. We should never lose sight of the wonder of God’s love—He came to earth, the Christ-child, our Savior, born to die for us, sinful people. As we celebrate Jesus’ birth, the true meaning of Christmas, will you give Him your undivided attention? He is God; none else is more worthy all seasons of the year.