We have been called to make a difference.
"Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, 'I will set up my camp in such and such a place.' The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: 'Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there.' So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places.
This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them. 'Tell me! Which of us is not he side of the king of Israel? 'None of us, my lord the king,' said one of his officers, 'but Elisha the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.' 'Go, find out where he is,' the king ordered, 'so I can send men and capture him.' The report came back: 'He is in Dothan. Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.
When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. 'Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?' the servant asked. 'Don't be afraid,' the prophet answered. 'Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.' And Elisha prayed, 'Open the eyes, Lord, so that he may see.' 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 6:8-17
DISCUSSION:
Read about "spiritual blindness": Isaiah 42:19, Matthew 23:16-26, Acts 9:1-9, John 9
What does it mean to be spiritually blind?
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12
We need to ask ourselves if we get so caught up in the nuts and bolts of life and of life with God that we don't factor in spiritual matters.
When you step up to join the cause of God, there are forces that will meet you head on. Do not be surprised by that, but do not be intimidated either. Those who are with you are more than those who are with them.
DISCUSSION:
What are some things that you feel personally called into in the church or for the sake of Christ?
What are some ways that we can experience forces that meet us head on and try to discourage us?
We can become blind to the condition of our own hearts.
DISCUSSION:
What are some ways that we can be blind to the condition of our own hearts?
Have you experienced a time when you became aware of an attitude or an posture of your heart that you had been blind to?
What are some blind spots that our world or our current culture tend to have?
Elisha saw the provision of God and the power of God unleashed.
We look to the cross and the defeat of evil and therefore we have courage and hope.
We tend to allow distractions to dull our vision and cause us not to see the world as it is. I need to see what God sees in this world.
DISCUSSION:
What are some proactive ways we can be aware of what God sees in this world?
Is there an area where you need to boldly seek Him and trust Him?
Is there a step you need to take to move in closer to what God is doing in this world?
You may choose to look the other way but you can never say again that you did not know.
William Wilberforce
Reflect
God is at work in ways you do not see. Remembering is the best way to have hope and courage in the midst of difficult circumstances. Reflect this week, maybe even journal, about the ways you have seen God at work in your life in the past.