Blind Date for an Army

It feels like the whole world is at war, and our nation more divided than ever. It's discouraging to watch the news and hear another onslaught of accusations and vicious attacks. Missiles fly, shooters target innocent people for no apparent reason, and the moral fiber of society continues unraveling as a stream of leaders in high places fall into disgrace and scandal. When will it end? 

We need to remember that the Lord our God is right here with us and all around us! We know, He wants us to walk by faith and not by sight, but wouldn’t it be great if we could see what’s really going on around us?

I remember the incredible account of Elisha and his servant during a time of war between the king of Aram and Israel. One night things took a turn for the worse, and their city was surrounded by Aram’s army. The servant thought they were going to die. All he saw was enemy horses and soldiers surrounding the city, but the prophet Elisha remained calm. He didn't fall apart or fall down begging God for victory. He simply asked God to open his servant’s eyes. 

The story is found in 2 Kings 6:8-23.

⁸ Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel…¹⁴ Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city. ¹⁵ 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?” ¹⁶ “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”  ¹⁷ And Elisha prayed, “Open his 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.

Chariots of fire? Angelic armies? Come on, when you're struggling with the daily battles of life, do you think about that? We need reminders. We need spiritual vision  to see what's happening beyond the physical circumstances that threaten us.

That unnamed servant could be you and me in this day and age, Christ-follower. We need our eyes opened now more than ever. Are you afraid?  Take heart. Have faith! Much greater are those who are with us than with ISIS!

The entire realm of angelic warriors of the Lord’s army encamps around us in chariots of fire, poised to protect God’s own. We need to remember what Jesus said to Thomas:

“Even better blessings are in store for those who believe without seeing.” John 20:29

But this story isn't finished yet.  What happens next is even more remarkable and impacted the entire nation. Contrast the fearful servant’s newly opened eyes to the invading army's sudden loss of vision. This was a blind date for an army, set before a king.

¹⁸ As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike this army with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked. ¹⁹ Elisha told them, “This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for.” And he led them to Samaria.

Being struck blind must be one of the scariest experiences imaginable--especially to an army battalion of troops far away from home. They were suddenly at the mercy of strangers who led them the wrong way, completely vulnerable and unable to fight, where they could have been annihilated.

²⁰ After they entered the city, Elisha said, “Lord, open the eyes of these men so they can see.” Then the Lord opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria.

²¹ When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?” ²² “Do not kill them,” he answered... "Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.” ²³ So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel’s territory.

When they could see again, they were being served dinner and drinks on the house. It says they “prepared a great feast,” not just a handful of leftover bread. There must have been savory meats and fruits, wines and cheeses in lavish amounts. 

Those soldiers probably thought they were going to die that day, but instead they found themselves feasting from the king's table, because of his great generosity. The very one who had the power and opportunity to end their lives, was nourishing them instead!

After the royal banquet ended, the King of Israel stood up and gave his speech. “Thanks for coming boys. You can all go home now.”

Whatttt? I could see Jesus doing something like that, couldn’t you? It was radical. Unthinkable. It was the strategy that ended a war and changed the lives of those men forever. What amazing grace! 

So the king of Israel set them all free in obedience to the words of the prophet. And then there was peace in the land.

Understandably, the armies of Aram lost the will to war after that. I guess it's pretty hard to attack someone who took you on a blind date and fed you like kings when they could have annihilated you! 

It's the same for us today. God tells us, love your enemies; set them free; leave them to me, and experience my blessing.

But do we do it? We condemn those who wrong us, we are quick to slander, curse our enemies, hold a grudge, and feel justified. THEY did THAT! But look at the plank in our eyes if we do the same things they do. We are hateful and proud. 

God, we need you to open OUR blind eyes and teach us your ways of peace. Our hearts are hard. We don’t see as we ought. We don't love our enemies, or even those who are different than us. Teach us to love our enemies--even people with different clothing and hairdos!

Abba Father, break our hearts for what breaks yours and make us radical, forgiving and loving Christ-followers. Help us to SEE YOU as You are, seated above the heavens, and to SEE PEOPLE as we ought.  

As Elisha prayed, BLIND THE EYES of those who are fighting against you, SO THAT they can be forever changed by your great love.  And bring your peace to the nations.  Amen.