“And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.”
— 2 Kings 6:17 (KJV)
The Unseen Reality of God’s Protection
In the days of Elisha, the prophet of the LORD stood fearless in the midst of danger because he saw what others could not. The king of Syria, angered by Elisha’s prophetic ability to reveal his military secrets, sent a massive army to capture him. By night they encircled Dothan, intending to destroy the man of God.
At dawn, Elisha’s servant awoke to a scene of impending doom—horses and chariots of the enemy surrounding the city. Terrified, he ran to Elisha and cried, “Alas, my master! how shall we do?” It was the voice of human fear, the cry of one who could see only the visible threat.
But Elisha’s calm reply pierced the moment:
“Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.”
What a staggering declaration of faith! Elisha did not deny the presence of danger; he simply perceived a greater reality. He saw not only the enemy’s army but also the invisible army of heaven standing guard.
The Prayer That Opens Eyes
Then came the prophet’s prayer—a simple yet powerful intercession:
“LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see.”
In that instant, the LORD lifted the veil from the young man’s eyes, and he saw the unseen. The mountains around them blazed with celestial fire—horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
This was no imagination or dream. It was a divine unveiling of the spiritual realm where the armies of heaven stand ready to defend the servants of God. The same fiery chariots that carried Elijah into glory now surrounded Elisha as a wall of divine protection.
The Spiritual Vision Every Believer Needs
The lesson is timeless: we must live by faith, not by sight. Too often we, like Elisha’s servant, tremble before visible dangers while forgetting the unseen power of God that surrounds us. The believer’s security is not found in human strength, wealth, or defense, but in the presence of the Lord of hosts.
Angelic beings, ministering spirits sent forth to minister to the heirs of salvation (Hebrews 1:14), stand guard over God’s people even now. Though unseen, their reality is as certain as the promises of God’s Word. The enemy may encircle, but heaven encamps.
When our eyes of faith are opened, fear gives way to confidence, and panic turns into peace. Like Elisha, we can face overwhelming opposition with calm assurance because God’s power is always greater than man’s threat.
Conclusion: Lord, Open Our Eyes
The prayer of Elisha must become ours today: “Lord, open our eyes that we may see.”
We need spiritual sight to recognize the invisible hand of God working in every circumstance. When faith perceives what flesh cannot, we are no longer shaken by what surrounds us.
The same God who filled the mountains of Dothan with fiery chariots still commands the hosts of heaven today. His angels encamp round about those who fear Him (Psalm 34:7).
Therefore, let us not fear what the world can see. Let us walk with open eyes—eyes of faith—knowing that those who are with us are still more than those who are against us.