2 Kings 6:17

2 Kings 6:17

The young man looking abroad and seeing nothing but the hills, and the fields, and the Syrian army is a picture of a man without faith. But the same young man looking abroad and seeing not only the hills, and fields, and enemies which everybody saw, but also the flaming host the symbol of God's presence, love, and power is a picture of a man with faith. I wish to make you look at three wide prospects: nature, providence, the Bible. And as you look at each, we will put up the prayer, "Lord, open Thou mine eyes."

I. Our eyes need to be opened to see God in nature God, with His love, and wisdom, and power. One man looks abroad over a piece of God's world and sees neither its beauty nor its Maker in it. A second looks over the same scene and sees the beauty which the first did not see, but yet does not see the Maker. But a third looks, and he is like Elisha's servant: his eyes are opened, and he sees what neither of the others has seen he sees God passing His hand over all and dropping beauty on it from His fingers.

II. We need to have our eyes opened on providence, that in all we undertake and suffer we may see God as our Guide, and trust Him, so that, whatever fortune we may be led into, we may never feel ourselves alone. This will give us courage and comfort such as nothing else can give.

III. We need to have our eyes opened on the Bible. It is a moment never to be forgotten when the truth which has been known and handled like a dry piece of wood for years suddenly flares forth into bright flame; when over the meadows of the Bible, where nothing but ordinary grass appeared before, there start up suddenly the horses and chariots of fire; when this truth, for instance, "My soul is infinitely precious and immortal," thrills through me, and all the world seems as nothing compared with my soul.

J. Stalker, The New Song,p. 75.

References: 2 Kings 6:17. A. W. Momerie, The Origin of Evil,p. 248; J. Thain Davidson, Talks with Young Men,p. 119; H. P. Liddon, Penny Pulpit,No. 599, and Old Testament Outlines,p. 77; Spurgeon, My Sermon Notes,1884, p. 91; Husband, Church Sermons,vol. ii., p. 74. 2 Kings 6:17. A. Edersheim, Elisha the Prophet,p. 208. 2 Kings 6:18. Bennett, Thursday Penny Pulpit,vol. vii., p. 85; J. M. Neale, Sermons in Sackville College,vol. iii., p. 100. 2 Kings 6:24 and 2 Kings 6:32 vii. 2. A. Edersheim, Elisha the Prophet,pp. 219, 230. 2 Kings 6:24 and vii. Parker, vol. viii., p. 169. 2 Kings 6:26. Homiletic Magazine,vol. xv., p. 163. 2 Kings 6 Parker, Fountain,May 24th, 1877. 2 Kings 7:2. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. xxi., No. 1238; J. M. Neale, Sermons in Sackville College,vol. iii., p. 108. 2 Kings 7:3. Spurgeon, Morning by Morning,p. 73. 2 Kings 7:3. Ibid., Sermons,vol. xxxii., No. 1903. 2 Kings 7:3. A. Edersheim, Elisha the Prophet,p. 242.