Spending time in quiet with God nourishes my soul just as the rain falling outside nourishes the plants and ground. Such a beautiful sound with the thunder rumbling. I’m learning to be still with God and let His thoughts softly touch my own and bring peace and understanding. I am so grateful He has opened my heart to Him and time spent with Him that is so good and so needed. I feel His love not just for me and those I love, but for everyone. We are His, created in His image. How amazing is that?

With a heart opened I can read 2 Kings 6 and marvel at the simple help given by Elisha to one of his prophets who lost a borrowed ax when it fell into the water. A simple thing yet God made iron float so it could be recovered. v. 1-7.

We see the frustration of the king of Aram who was at war with Israel and yet all his plans are made open to Elisha who warns the king of Israel where the army is camped so they can avoid it. When the king of Aram finds out it is Elisha, the prophet of God, he sends men to capture him. They arrive in Dothan by night and surround the city. When Elisha’s servant gets up in the morning and sees the army, he is understandably frightened. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 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.” v. 16-17. The army advances toward Elisha but now the servant can see what Elisha knows. The Lord is there. Per Elisha’s request, the Lord struck the advancing army with blindness. Elisha tells them they are on the wrong road and he will show them the right way. Elisha led them to Samaria, the capital of Israel, and they see they are surrounded. The king must be amazed and delighted and he asks Elisha if he should kill them. No. Set food and water before them so they may eat and drink and return to their own king. If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you. Proverbs 25:21-22.

Some time later, the king of Aram, Ben-Hadad, lays siege to Samaria and it gets so bad there is great famine in the city. The people in desperation resort to eating their own children. God predicted how bad things would become when people forget Him and turn away from Him to live their own way. (Deuteronomy 28:49-57). The king of Israel is so angry hearing that that he tears his robes and vows to kill Elisha. And what does he say to Elisha? The king said, “This disaster is from the Lord. Why should I wait for the Lord any longer?” v. 33.

This happened millennia ago. What about today? Are there disasters today brought about the will of men who do not want anything to do with God? Can God intervene? Absolutely. Do we truly want Him to? This is the day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many good years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Deuteronomy 30:19-20.

When we choose life…the Lord our God, Creator of all life, we have nothing to fear from Him. He will not harm us. We harm ourselves. We can’t see the end result of our choices, but He can which is why He wants us to hold fast to Him and listen to His voice. When we do, what a difference! As surely as the rains bring nourishment to dry ground, He nourishes our hearts and souls and opens our eyes to life with Him and it is good! He’s here. Always. Open our eyes, Lord, and help us see You.