Open My Eyes

Go to the “Self Help Section” in any bookstore, or do an equivalent search on Amazon, and you’ll find quite a few volumes that purport to give us knowledge we have heretofore been lacking. But in his commentary on Psalm 73, Eugene H. Peterson points out, “It isn’t more knowledge we need but better vision to see what has already been revealed.”

On any clear night, I can go outside where I live, look up at the sky and see several stars. Contrast that with being in a place where there is little or no light pollution, putting my camera on a tripod, and setting the exposure time for 20 seconds:

What a difference! And I didn’t need more knowledge, just improved “vision.”

The sixth chapter of 2 Kings relates an event which occurred in Israel’s history when Elisha was a prophet. The king of Aram, an enemy of Israel, set up an ambush to capture Elisha at the city of Dothan. Just after daybreak, the servant of Elisha got up and went outside. When the man beheld the enemy forces on the mountaintops surrounding the city, he went to Elisha and fearfully exclaimed, “What are we going to do?” The prophet responded, “Don’t worry – there are more on our side than on their side.” Then Elisha prayed that God would open his servant’s eyes. God gave the servant better “vision,” revealing that the mountainsides between the city and the enemy were chockablock with God’s army – horses and chariots of fire. (For the whole story, see 2 Kings 6:8-23.)

I need to open my eyes to see not only the majesty, wonder, and intricate design of His creation, but also to be cognizant of the many blessings he makes a part of my life every hour of every day.