Seeing the Unseen

When the prophet Elijah was taken up to heaven, it was Elisha who not only saw it happen, but picked up Elijah’s cloak and the mantle of his ministry along with it. But what do you remember about Elisha?

Perhaps it is the story of the widow’s oil that didn’t run out until all the containers were filled in 2 Kings 4, or in that same chapter, the Shunammite’s son being restored to life. For myself, it is Elisha’s prayer here in chapter 6. You see, Elisha trusted that God could work even when the situation seemed difficult or impossible from a human standpoint.

He looked for God’s handprint — evidence that he was not just aware of the situation, but already moving to resolve the challenge. He wasn’t deterred when the circumstances seemed overwhelming or impossible and trusted him to show up even then. Who else would think to command an iron axe head lost in a river to float (2 Kings 6:6)? And it did!

When Elisha and his servant were surrounded by the enemy’s army of horses and chariots, he saw the unseen. His response to his servant was this, “Don’t be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Elisha saw that God’s army was already in place ready to do battle on his behalf. God had a different outcome already in motion for that day and could be trusted to work it out.

Too often I am like Elisha’s servant, fearful and overwhelmed by the challenges I am facing. Instead, I need to pray, “Open my eyes Lord, so that I may see you already at work. I want to see your handprint.” God is right there, totally aware of all I am anxious about, and he is already at work. I just need to have my eyes opened to see that.

What about you? Are you overwhelmed like Elisha’s servant? Can you only see the problem and no possible solution? Why don’t you ask God to open your eyes today to be able to see the unseen and watch him do the impossible?

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you that you are always with me, always aware of my situation and already at work. Open my eyes to see the unseen, so that I can see your handprint on every detail of my life today. Amen.

Throughout This Day: Look for God’s handprint today, evidence that he is working and active in your life. Then, take a minute to record it as a way to reflect back and see his handiwork. Doing this every day will give you a gratitude journal that you can look back on as you thank him for opening your eyes to see the unseen.