Issue 1183 – Hidden – June 22, 2023
I rolled out of bed this morning, tended to business, put my coffee on and opened the blinds. Today’s image shows what I saw. It was foggy out, obscuring the view. As I write, the fog is already beginning to thin and, before long, will be gone.
Many things in life fog our vision. They might be physical, such as my detached retina, which is slowly healing, but I will only have reduced vision. A lack of available light can cause seeing to be more difficult; even a child can tell you it’s harder to see in the dark.
Preoccupation with the things of life can keep us blinded. We can be so focused on something that we fail to notice anything around us.
Then, of course, there is willful blindness. We simply refuse to see. That is the blindness that keeps people from coming to Christ. Even knowing it to be the truth, they choose to ignore it, refuse to submit and will go to an eternity of punishment because of their pride.
We can’t see into another person’s heart. We can get glimpses, all right, but no one knows the heart. In truth, we don’t even know our own deceitful hearts.
Some things are kept hidden from our sight until God chooses to reveal them.
In 2 Kings 6, we read of war between the King of Aram and the nation of Israel. Each time the Arameans tried to capture the King of Israel, the prophet Elisha warned and kept him from harm.
Finally, the Aramean king had enough and sent his troops after Elisha.
“Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.” Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.
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?” the servant asked.
“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
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. 2 Kings 6:13-17
We are never alone in our struggles. Our eyes might be blinded to the Lord and those in His service, but He stands ready and willing to do battle on our behalf. No matter the outcome from our perspective, God always knows what is best and stands with us.
As followers of Christ, we have His Word to guide us, His Spirit inside us and armies of the heavenly host, complete with chariots of fire, ready to battle on our behalf.
We are redeemed, forgiven and made new. We are sealed by the Spirit and made living temples of the Creator of Heaven and Earth. No weapon that is forged against us will stand, and no one can take us out of the Father’s hands.
I don’t know what you face today, but I know you will stand protected by the Good Shepherd. Hold fast
Be Blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
__________________________________________
Please like and share this post with friends and your circle of influence. Also, feel free to comment.
Did you know that we have an email version? Same great content but in a different format. Subscribe today https://mailchi.mp/f27bbeb09c22/ gleanings-1
______________________________
All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2023 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
___________________________________________
#love #peace #hope #Gleanings #theWord #devotional #gospel #death #trinity #encouragement #Biblestudy #faith #dailyBible #verseoftheday #grace #KevinCorbin #god #life #Jesus #faith #holySpirit #YHWH #bible #christian #Christ #Father #Son #fog #foggyMorning #morning #coffee #ArmyOf God #2Kings #Elisha #chariotsOfFire #creator #GoodShepherd #blindness #hidden