Last night I wrote a blog about “panic.” It seems to be a topic of conversation with the spread of the coronavirus around the world. I used Peter as an example. He bravely jumped out of the boat to walk on the water to Jesus. But when he took his eyes off of the Lord, he noticed how the winds were blowing and the waves were rolling. He began to panic. When he cried out, Jesus reached forth His hand and pulled him to safety. Peter panicked when he took his eyes off the Lord.
In II Kings 6, we read of another man who panicked. Elisha and his servant woke up one morning to their city of Dothan being surrounded by the Syrian army. Chariots and horses compassed the city, and Elisha’s servant cried out in panic, “Alas, my master! how shall we do?” Elisha answered, “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” 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. And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the Lord, and said, “Smite this people, I pray Thee, with blindness.” And He smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. (II King 6:15-18) This young servant didn’t take his eyes off the Lord, like Peter. Instead, he needed his eyes opened to control his panic.
So often, help is there if we just open our eyes and see it. God has not left us defenseless in our fight against sin, He has given us His Word. He has given us the armor of God that we may “be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:13) For “God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (I Corinthians 10:13) “Open my eyes, Lord, that I may see the wondrous things from Your Law.” (Psalm 119:18) Panic not, my friends – and please, wash your hands! God Bless, Courtney
Very appropriate!