Open Our Eyes Lord
Recently, my son was hospitalized with subclinical status seizures. He was given medication to stop the seizures and put on a continuous EEG recording. His doctor asked me to press a button each time he appeared to be having a seizure so they could review that particular part of the EEG more closely. For almost an entire day of our hospital stay, my son had hallucinations. He saw cheese falling and fish flying and sinks moving. The doctors thought it could be seizures or a side effect of one of his medication levels being too high. One of the things my son kept asking me was, “Mom, who’s that standing by my bed?” I would reply, “No one sweetie, there is no one here but us.” Once he even said he felt someone’s hand on his shoulder.
Because I was instructed to, each time he “hallucinated”, I pressed the button. The doctors later told me the EEG showed seizure activity almost every time I pressed it. However, there were a few times it did not. Want to guess which times I’m almost positive it didn’t show a seizure? Just because I didn’t see anyone else in the room, doesn’t mean there was no one there. So many people were praying for us and for our protection, I’m certain there really was someone else there, perhaps Spencer’s guardian angel or Jesus himself. I just couldn’t see him, but Spencer could. I was reminded of several similar instances in the Bible.
When Abraham sent Hagar and Ishmael away into the desert of Beersheba, Hagar thought they would both die when they ran out of water. But an angel came and spoke to her. The text says, “then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water.” Genesis 21:19 NIV I’m certainly no Bible scholar, but I think the well was already there Hagar just couldn’t see it. Her eyes weren’t open until God opened them.
When Balaam saddled his donkey to go with the princes of Moab to Balak, his donkey turned off the road, pressed Balaam’s foot against a wall and finally lay down under him to try to warn him, all because she saw something he did not. The text says “then the Lord opened Balaam’s eyes and he saw the angel of the Lord standing on the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.” Numbers 22:31 NIV Balaam didn’t see the angel standing there until his eyes were opened.
When the king of Aram was at war with the Israel, the prophet Elisha repeatedly would warn the king of Israel of the plans of the Arameans. This outraged their king so that he sent horses and chariots to surround Dothan where the prophet Elisha was. Early in the morning, Elisha and his servant got up and saw they were surrounded. The servant was very afraid. The text says, “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes so 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 6:16-17NIV
When some of the followers of Jesus were on the road to Emmaus, a man came and walked and talked with them. They urged him to stay with them to eat dinner because of the late hour. When the man broke bread and gave thanks, “their eyes were opened and they recognized the man” as Jesus himself. Luke 24:31 NIV
God opened Hagar’s eyes and she saw life giving water. The Lord opened Balaam’s eyes and he was spared from the sword. The Lord opened Elisha’s servant’s eyes and he was made aware of the protection surrounding him. Jesus opened the eyes of his followers and their hope and belief was restored as they reported to the disciples that Jesus was alive!
What are your eyes closed to today that requires prayer for God to open them? Perhaps you feel you are in the desert and have given up hope. Look around for the Living Water. He’s there. Perhaps you are in a situation that may cause you harm. Listen to your faithful friends, they may provide the warning you need by seeing something you don’t. Maybe you are feeling surrounded on all sides or overcome with fear. Know that the One who is for you is greater than all those who are against you. And don’t forget, Jesus is right beside you, just as I believe he was beside my son’s bed, whether you and I can see Him or not.
