Meditation

Read 2 Kings 6:8-17

—2 Kings 6:15, 17 (NIV)

“Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked…Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.”

I can identify with Elisha’s servant who stumbled out of bed to discover an army aligned against him. Like the servant, I have sometimes found myself surrounded by threatening circumstances—ominous medical diagnoses, financial strains, family crises. When normal life takes an adverse turn, it’s easy to feel vulnerable and unprotected.

Like the frightened servant, we wonder what to do. I find hope in Elisha’s reply. He allayed his servant’s fear with a prayer! Elisha prayed for his servant to see what Elisha already saw—the protective presence of the Lord, shining in fiery array all around them. Yes, the threat of the enemy army was real, but God’s protection was just as real. Elisha and his servant saw the reality of what the psalmist describes: “As mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people both now and forevermore” (Ps. 125:2). The landscape of our lives may change abruptly. Threatening circumstances may loom large. But we are enfolded by the protective power of God.

Prayer—Mighty Father, give us Elisha’s eyes! Help us sense your watchful protection always surrounding us. Amen.

Thought for the day—I am always surrounded by God’s protective power.

Marion Speicher Brown (Florida)