REPOST Today’s Spiritual Food for Thought, first posted on May 21, 2016, is provided by Mei Lan Thallman—now a friend of AMI—who had served at Grace Covenant Church (Philadelphia) for a long time.
Spiritual Food for Thought for the Weekend
“God’s Presence Amid Fear and Anxiety”
2 Kings 6:15-17 (NIV)
When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. 16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that 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.
Recently, as I was preparing myself to go back to Taiwan, my “earthly home country,” I was overcome with a deep sense of overwhelming and paralyzing fear and anxiety. Yet I had to mentally, emotionally, and spiritually prepare myself to enter the mission field of my family. Past experiences have “trained” me to brace myself for the worst that maybe coming, and this time was no different. Without exaggeration, each time I prepare to make the long journey home, I literally have to pinch and talk myself into accepting the reality—it is what it is.
This time, however, I experienced a perspective makeover, like the experience of Elisha’s servant. As the Scriptures indicate, both Elisha and his servant were faced with the same hostile circumstance. But Elisha, seeing through the eyes of faith, had a superior insight and confidence to face off the enemy that made absolutely no sense to Elisha’s servant—until God supernaturally opened his spiritual eye sight. Once he saw what Elisha saw, all fear vanished because a greater reality was in operation: their God had them covered in the midst of danger with the angelic army and chariots of fire!
When I arrived in Taiwan, I saw that the devastation of the people and the circumstances were not much different from my last visit. However, I experienced an inner transformation that changed my perception of how I view and interpret the reality. In the midst of difficult circumstances and the lostness of my family members, I saw God actively and powerfully at work. He met me; He provided, protected, and used me every step of the way. Instead of seeing despair and hopelessness, He opened my eyes to see a greater spiritual reality that was in operation—His great, ongoing salvation and redemptive work that is simply unstoppable. Regardless of the situation and people’s response or lack of response, He remains true and faithful. Nothing can change His love for the nations. Jesus’ finished work on the cross and His resurrection is the ultimate reality of all time, and I am a part of that redemptive plan.
What difficult circumstance or people are you facing today that cause you to feel alone, afraid, and overwhelmed? Come to Jesus and ask Him to open your eyes and empower you to see your challenges in light of the ultimate spiritual reality—the reality that He is with you, He is mighty to save, He has overcome sin, death, and hell, and through Him you have the power to overcome.
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, Thank you for Your finished work of salvation and Your ongoing redemptive plan of the world. Thank you that the powerful light of the gospel is able to penetrate through the darkest places through Your children, for Christ in us is the hope of glory. Help me daily to have the faith and courage to keep shining Your light and hope into the world. To You be all praise, honor and glory! Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Leviticus 25-26