Seeing the
Invisible God
May 12, 2003
I used to ask God to show himself to me. He never
did. I can't help but think my faith would be stronger if an
angel, or angels, would appear to me as they did to Elisha's
servant.
If you recall the story, then you know it's an
impressive illustration of God's existence in a parallel
dimension. The king of Aram was engaged in a war with the king
of Israel. After a series of military setbacks the Aramean king
discovered that Elisha was finding out his battle plans in
advance and passing them along to the king of Israel. Seeking to
kill the prophet, he sent an army to Dothan, Elisha's hometown.
When the prophet's servant awoke and went outside
he saw the city surrounded by an army of horses and chariots.
Terrified, he asked his master, "What shall we do?" (2 Kings
6:15). Not a bad question considering the apparent hopelessness
of the situation.
The prophet calmly said, "Don't be afraid. Those
who are with us are more than those who are with them" (2 Kings
6:16).
I don't think Elisha's servant bought into the
prophet's evaluation. His twenty-twenty vision told him a
massive army surrounded the two of them. He may have rubbed his
eyes and looked again but the odds did not appear to be in their
favor.
Sensing his servant's fear, Elisha prayed, "O
LORD, open his eyes so he may see" (2 Kings 6:17).
Immediately, a miracle occurred. God allowed
Elisha's servant to see into the spiritual dimension. The text
says, "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" (2 Kings 6:17).
I wonder, did Elisha see the angels all along, or did he simply
believe they were there? In either case, he lived with an acute
awareness of God's presence. I believe if God "opened our eyes"
so we could see into the parallel spiritual dimension, we would
see God at our side along with a host of his angels.
Such a statement rests on biblical revelation.
Jesus himself promised, "I will ask the Father, and he will give
you another Counselor to be with you forever" (John 14:16). The
author of Hebrews reminds us that God promised, "Never will I
leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). Elsewhere
he asked, are not angels, "ministering spirits sent to serve
those who will inherit salvation?" (Hebrews 1:14).
The source of your spiritual power isn't across
the room, down the street, or on the other side of town. He is
within you and beside you. He is closer than your shadow. Like
Sweet Thing, all you need to do is cry out. He'll hear your call
and release his power through you.
You must never forget that the enemy doesn't fear
you, he fears your God. The moment you call on him, the evil one
will flee and your spirit will be energized. The God who is
present waits for you to trust in him, rather than yourself. The
warrior within you is awakened by the Lord of Hosts and
energized by the God of creation.
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