A Daily Devotional with Pastor Doug Crouse  October 4, 2018 Open Our Eyes   Scripture Reading – 2 Kings 6:16 - 17 "Don't be afraid!' Elisha told him. 'For there are more on our side than on theirs!' Then Elisha prayed, 'O Lord, open his eyes, and let him see!' The Lord opened the young man's eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire."  

It was the similar feeling that the children of promise had under Moses when under the leading and instruction of God, they found themselves pressed against the Red Sea with the armies of Pharaoh looking down upon them, they thought as a hawk eyes their prey. Now in today’s text the servant of Elisha looked out and said that they were surrounded by the powers of man, a seemingly hopeless situation.

Can you track with this feeling? As though you were surrounded, being pursued and quite honestly looking at a loss as how to defend yourself from an ultimate defeat. In that exact moment, and even reaching into your and my situations today the prophet speaks this command, 'Don't be afraid!', for most certainly fear is always the enemy of faith. Then following that admonition, he speaks into the life of his servant and ours praying, 'Open Our Eyes'.

And what happened when the servant’s eyes were opened? Then he was filled with the understanding that he was not alone, and that God indeed was with them. That is exactly what happens when by faith our eyes are opened as well. God continues to lead us along the pathway of both His promise and provision for our lives, which is always best.  

Prayer My Father in heaven I remember Jesus promised that when He went back to heaven that He would send the Holy Spirit to teach, guide, encourage and strengthen us. Spirit of the living God fill me and open my eyes up to every good intention that has been purposed me in Christ Jesus I pray.  

Memory Verse: 2 Corinthians 9:7 “You must each decide in your ______ how much to _____. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to __________. ‘For God ________ a person who gives cheerfully.”