Pastor Tim Jupp
THE EYES OF THE HEART
The theme on provision and redemption through God’s mercy continues in this section. Remember that Elijah had predicted that Ahab’s sons would meet utter obliteration. Yet in this story, God shows tremendous mercy and patience to Jehoram but he never sees what Elisha’s humble servant sees.
The captured Syrians soldiers are fed and released: Nahaam heart would have seen God’s mercy but Ben Hadad’s did not. The ‘eyes of his heart’ were never opened. The ‘eyes of the heart’ are opened for the lowly and those called to righteousness, ‘that you may know, what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.’ Ephesians 1:18
What Elisha’s servant was really blind to was the goodness of God. He might have claimed that God was mighty to save, but in the moment of his greatest need, he lost sight of that. So instead of praying for strength, Elisha prays for vision. And his servant’s eyes are opened to see the armies of God’s love surrounding the murderous hoards of Arameans.
“Both believer and unbeliever alike need to see a fresh glimpse of God’s love. That one look will do more than 10,000 practical points or doctrinal lessons.”
J.D. GREEAR
TEXT : 2 KINGS 6:8-23
SONGS:
BATTLE BELONGS, PHIL WICKHAM
GREATNESS OF OUR GOD, HILLSONG
OPEN OUR EYES LORD, CITIPOINTE CHURCH
TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS, CHASE OAKS
The theme on provision and redemption through God’s mercy continues in this section. Remember that Elijah had predicted that Ahab’s sons would meet utter obliteration. Yet in this story, God shows tremendous mercy and patience to Jehoram but he never sees what Elisha’s humble servant sees.
The captured Syrians soldiers are fed and released: Nahaam heart would have seen God’s mercy but Ben Hadad’s did not. The ‘eyes of his heart’ were never opened. The ‘eyes of the heart’ are opened for the lowly and those called to righteousness, ‘that you may know, what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.’ Ephesians 1:18
What Elisha’s servant was really blind to was the goodness of God. He might have claimed that God was mighty to save, but in the moment of his greatest need, he lost sight of that. So instead of praying for strength, Elisha prays for vision. And his servant’s eyes are opened to see the armies of God’s love surrounding the murderous hoards of Arameans.
“Both believer and unbeliever alike need to see a fresh glimpse of God’s love. That one look will do more than 10,000 practical points or doctrinal lessons.”
J.D. GREEAR
TEXT : 2 KINGS 6:8-23
SONGS:
BATTLE BELONGS, PHIL WICKHAM
GREATNESS OF OUR GOD, HILLSONG
OPEN OUR EYES LORD, CITIPOINTE CHURCH
TURN YOUR EYES UPON JESUS, CHASE OAKS