Hear the Word, See the Solution

Hear the Word, See the Solution

Let me take the liberty to write devotionally, and somewhat personally, from this Passage. At times, traditional hermeneutics do not yield the same ramifications that a Passage may offer, just as a raw story. At times, the story applies itself, and this one has done just that today.

When an attendant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. His servant said, ‘Alas, master! What shall we do?’ (2 Kings 6.15, NRSV)

There are times when there is nowhere to go. A problem presents itself and there seems to be no way out, no answer. In this case it is through no fault of the master. Quite the opposite, the master is operating at the highest level of prophetic fortitude. Nonetheless, there are times when any one of us can be at fault, and therefore find ourselves facing insurmountable consequences.

The question is “What shall we do?” The question is not hopeless, despite the odds. The question is solution focused. The situation needs to change. It’s obvious we don’t want to meet our doom. A change needs to be made, but “What shall we do?”

Sometimes a solution may not be fully realized without asking ourselves the hard question, what shall we do to rectify the situation? What is one thing we can do?

He replied, ‘Do not be afraid, for there are more with us than there are with them.’ (verse 16)

Fear not. The master replies with the spoken Word. The master has an insight the servant does not yet possess.

Lord open our ears to really hear Your Word, for it is life. Faith comes by hearing Your Word and faith is like vision, for we walk by faith not by sight. However, we must listen to Your Word first. Open our ears to hear Your voice, whether it is through Your Word, the Pastor’s sermon, the counsel of confidants, or even our coworkers. You can speak in various ways and You never tire of attempting to get through to us.

The servant hears the Word first.

Then Elisha prayed: ‘O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.’ So the Lord opened the eyes of the servant, and he saw; the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (verse 17)

The answer becomes visible. It is right there in front of the servant all along, but he cannot see it, because he has not yet heard the Word.

How many times does an answer seem to materialize out of nowhere?

How often does something seem like a miracle, when it is simply commonplace for God?

Elisha certainly is not surprised at the Lord’s protecting army, at God’s chariots of fire.

When seeking a solution, may we rise above sizing up the situation, hoping for a change, and even showing a willingness to change.

Let us hear the Word for the hour, the rhema Word, the timely prophetic Word.

Let us see the solution God has in store for us.

May we position ourselves to be ready to hear and see God’s ways.

Furthermore, may we not see it as an abnormal miracle that God wants to protect us when our back is against the wall – even if it’s our fault.

He has a way of watching out for us when we are facing consequences, even when it’s our fault. There are times we face natural consequences. However, at times God really does respond in mercy.

Then there are times, like what Elisha faces, when we face potential consequences for living the right way.

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