Day 16

Elisha’s Ministry Continues

from the 1 & 2 Kings reading plan


2 Kings 6:1-33, 2 Kings 7:1-20, 2 Kings 8:1-15, Deuteronomy 6:10-12

BY Guest Writer

War, murder, and unthinkable tragedies are all a part of today’s reading. Yet even in the face of horrific evil, we see the Lord providing. From recovering an axe head to providing food to a starving people, the Lord provides again and again. The atrocities we see in the world around us, or even in our own hearts, can sometimes blind us from seeing the Lord at work on our behalf. But it is in the especially difficult seasons and situations that we need to pray, as Elisha did, that God would open our eyes to all the ways He provides for us.

Recently, a good friend shared how, over the course of several weeks, she had prayed for eyes to see the ways the Lord provides for her family—and how He did just that, abundantly so. Her faith encouraged me to pray that the Lord would also open my eyes to see how He provides for my family. And it was unbelievable! He graciously revealed all the big and small ways He works to supply us with what we need, how He has been providing for us all along. In big and small and unexpected ways, I began to see that His provision was all around us—even in the form of a canceled baseball game that freed us up to enjoy a rare, unrushed afternoon.

God is in the details of our lives, just as surely as He was in the details of Elisha’s life. The prophet clearly saw the Lord’s provision, and He wanted his servant to see it too.

“Then Elisha prayed, ‘LORD, please open his eyes and let him see.’
So the LORD opened the servant’s eyes,
and he saw that the mountain was covered with horses
and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (2 Kings 6:17).

When we are able to see beyond our myopic perception of the world—free to behold the reality of God’s glory and majesty, sovereignty and grace—that is a gift from Him. All Elisha did was humbly ask for God to open the servant’s eyes, to let him see God’s power in that moment, as it really is.

Some days we may see huge, miraculous provision from Him, like those Elisha saw. Other days, we may see what seem like smaller glimpses of Him at work, and sometimes, we may be called to lean in to the promise of His presence. And on those days when we cannot see His provision at all, we are free to approach the throne of grace with confidence (Hebrews 4:16) and ask our Father to open our eyes, remembering that His ultimate provision for us is His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, who said, “Don’t be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights to give you the kingdom” (Luke 12:32).

Kimberly Girard is a well-loved child of God, wife of an extraordinary man, mother of three amazing kids, and writer living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. You can find her at Loud Singing and on Twitter.

Post Comments (15)

15 thoughts on "Elisha’s Ministry Continues"

  1. Natasha R says:

    God always provides, and he provides abundantly! He takes joy in providing for me! I pray that he opens my eyes, so I get a glimpse of his provision and his unmeasurable capacity to provide. May I never forget this!

  2. Lauren G says:

    Amen!
    We are currently in a tough season. My husband is deployed, so I’m single parenting 2 small kids as well as continuing to work in a demanding job.
    I feel like we keep getting hit after hit. Most recently my son had an elevated lead level and we subsequently found out our rental property had lead EVERYWHERE and we had to quickly vacate. We’re in temporary housing with half our belongings in 2 places and I’m feeling unmoored. Today, both kids are sick and I have to figure out alternate childcare plans.
    Lord, help me to keep my eyes on your provision rather than lack! To appreciate the provision of immediately available temporary housing, for slow quiet moments with the kids while they’re sick.

  3. Maura says:

    Amen. Open our eyes Lord, we want to see you. May I be aware of the ways you provide and how you watch over us and see you and join you in your work and lift up your name Jesus. May your power and grace be known and shown in me. Shalom sisters.

  4. NanaK says:

    Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
    Open the eyes of my heart
    I want to see You
    I want to see You
    To see You high and lifted up
    Shinin’ in the light of Your glory
    Pour out Your power and love
    As we sing holy, holy, holy
    Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
    Open the eyes of my heart
    I want to see You
    I want to see You
    (Michael W Smith)

  5. Diana Degnan says:

    Praise Him. There are times when the waiting to see His goodness in the land of the living is foggy, but praying for eyes to see, and opening my heart, what peace comes. Thank you Lord.

  6. Angie.M. says:

    I am struck again by God’s faithful provision. I am the sponsor of an upper elementary mission team at a Christian school. Our team decided to sponsor the 1 mile color run during our school’s Fall Fest this weekend. This is my 1st time organizing this event, one in which I have never participated before. I only had about a month to organize it. The Lord has been so faithful to send us needed sponsors and participants. It will be small this year, but I am encouraged to see what He will do next year when I have more time to plan. He is also providing beautiful weather for this weekend (if we can trust what the weather forecasters are telling us ). And after this busy season, God is providing one more hour of sleep because we get to change our clocks this weekend! God is so good and faithful in the big and small details!

  7. Angie says:

    Moment by moment You are present and active in our lives, God. Open our eyes to see You more clearly Lord. Soften our hearts to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. And, in those times when it is difficult to see the moment your hand is at work, may we trust your heart.

  8. Churchmouse says:

    God was involved in the details of Elisha’s life and others noticed. May the same be true of me. May others hear me speak of the goodness and kindness and faithfulness of the Lord. Whether good times or bad, whether I understand or not, may His praise ever be on my lips.

    1. Jennifer AndersMiller says:

      Amen

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *