But Then Face to Face

"And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And Elisha's servant said to him, 'Alas, my master! What shall we do?' So he answered, 'Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.' And Elisha prayed, and said, 'Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.' Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."
(2 Kings 6:15-17)

Can you just imagine? Oh, Lord! Open our eyes that we might see!

A few years back I gained an understanding of a very important principle. The Lord "opened my eyes so that I could see" and understand His spiritual realm a little better. Beth Moore said it something like this: hold up some sheer fabric and look through it. The fabric is like a veil, clouding the reality on the other side of it. But take the fabric down and, behold! You can see! That is how close the spiritual realm is to us! It is right there!

1 Corinthians 13:12 states, "For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known."

Ephesians 6:12, "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of the age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places."

Hebrews 12:22, "But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the Living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, in the innumerable company of angels."

And perhaps my favorite, Psalm 91:11,12, "For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall lift you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone."

Several years ago I was taking my young children to basketball practice. We live in the mountains where blind curves are the norm. On this particular day a remarkable thing happened as I approached a very sharp S curve. I rounded the first part of it and suddenly felt impressed to pray, "Lord, surround us with your angels and keep us safe." I thought that was rather odd. We continued around the second part of the curve and there, aimed right at us, was a silver Suburban SUV! I slammed on the brakes and braced my children for impact. Out of the blue, this silver monster jerked right and missed us. I sat there in the middle of the road shaking and comforting my crying children. We gave thanks for the Lord's protection and then continued on to practice.

When we arrived at the gym my friend, Ellen said, "I'm so sorry I almost hit you!"

"That was you?"

"Yes. My jacket sleeve got caught on the gear shift and I lost control of my vehicle! Right at the last minute my sleeve came loose."

I told Ellen about my prayer.
I told my family about my prayer.
I told my friends about my prayer.

And now, I tell you about my prayer.
I KNOW that the Lord heard my prayer and sent His angels to surround and protect us from imminent danger.

Friends, we are not alone. The eyes of the Lord search the earth looking for those who need to be strengthened. In the heat of battle, God's army - His host of angels - surrounds us in divine protection. We look out with earthly eyes and see the impossibilities the enemy puts in our path. God looks from His heavenly throne and sees the victory.

I said..."We look out with earthly eyes and see the impossibilities the enemy puts in our path. God looks from His heavenly throne and sees the victory."

Blessed be the Name of the Lord!

Father, You are so good and so very faithful. Open our eyes that we might see and know Your goodness. Open the eyes of our heart to understand things that are seemingly impossible to our finite minds. Lord, You are so amazing. We love You and give You praise!