02.08.2023 | OPEN OUR EYES
OPEN OUR EYES
There is more to life than what we see with our physical eyes.
We want our spiritual eyes opened to Kingdom realities.
Colossians 1:13 (NKJV)
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.
The Holy Spirit wants to help us advance the Kingdom of God and rescue people from the kingdom of darkness.
“We want to plunder hell and populate heaven.” – Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke
Powerful picture of Kingdom advancement in 2 Kings 6:8-23.
1. Pray for Increased Influence and Impact Through the Anointing of the Holy Spirit
2 Kings 6:8
Now the king of Syria was making war against Israel; and he consulted with his servants, saying, “My camp will be in such and such place.”
2 Kings 6:9
And the man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are coming down there.”
How does Elisha know where the king of Syria will move next?
Elisha is moving at a high level in the gift of the Holy Spirit, called the Word of Knowledge.
The Word of Knowledge is supernatural insight about people, events or things downloaded to us by the Holy Spirit.
Every believer can hear the voice of God and receive words of knowledge.
The Holy Spirit wants to minister to people through us.
Elisha’s gifting is impacting the entire nation of Israel.
Father God can work through us to impact our families, our neighborhoods, our city and our nation.
1 Chronicles 4:10
And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.
2. Be Prepared for the Counterattack of the Enemy
2 Kings 6:13
So he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him.” And it was told him, saying, ”Surely he is in Dothan.”
2 Kings 6:14
Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city.
As we step out to serve the Lord and partner with Him, the enemy will try to stop us.
He often comes against us at night. We battle fear, worry, regret, anxiety, anger, unforgiveness.
James 4:7
Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.
3. Grow in the Truth of the Word
2 Kings 6:15
And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was the army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”
2 Kings 6:16
So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
Romans 8:31
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
1 John 4:4
You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Psalm 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalm 27:3a
Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear.
4. Ask for Open Eyes!
2 Kings 6:17
And Elisha prayed and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
What is Elisha seeing?
He is seeing the angelic army of God!
Unbelievers need their eyes opened to see their need of salvation.
2 Corinthians 4:4
Whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.
Believers need their spiritual eyes opened further to discover their calling and the power of God.
Ephesians 1:17-19a
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe.
5. Move in Authority and Graciousness
2 Kings 6:18
So when the Syrians came down to him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, and said, “Strike this people, I pray, with blindness.” And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
2 Kings 6:20
So it was, when they had come to Samaria, that Elisha said, “Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” And the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw; and there they were, inside Samaria!
2 Kings 6:23
Then he prepared a great feast for them; and after they ate and drank, he sent them away and they went to their master. So the bands of Syrian raiders came no more into the land of Israel.