5-10-26// OPEN MY EYES THAT I MAY SEE

2 Kings 6:8-17

8 Now the king of Aram was warring against Israel; and he [a]counseled with his servants saying, “In such and such a place shall be my camp.” 9 The man of God sent word to the king of Israel saying, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Arameans are coming down there.” 10 The king of Israel sent to the place about which the man of God had told him; thus he warned him, so that he guarded himself there, [b]more than once or twice.

11 Now the heart of the king of Aram was enraged over this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you tell me which of us is for the king of Israel?” 12 One of his servants said, “No, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.” 13 So he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and take him.” And it was told him, saying, “Behold, he is in Dothan.” 14 He sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city.

15 Now when the attendant of the man of God had risen early and gone out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was circling the city. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! [c]What shall we do?” 16 So he [d]answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes and he saw; and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Ps 119:18 Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law.

Ps 101:1-4 I will sing of lovingkindness and justice, To You, O Lord, I will sing praises.

2 I will give heed to the blameless way. When will You come to me?

I will walk within my house in the integrity of my heart.

3 I will set no worthless thing before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away;

It shall not fasten its grip on me.

4 A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will know no evil.

 EL SHADDAI is a primary name for God in Judaism and Christianity, conventionally translated as "God Almighty" or "All-Sufficient One". It represents God as a powerful, nourishing figure who sustains his people, frequently appearing in the Book of Genesis, particularly in covenants with Abraham and Jacob.

Key Aspects of El Shaddai

·       Meaning: While commonly translated as "God Almighty" (Latin: Deus Omnipotens), Shaddai may also stem from roots meaning "mountain" (suggesting strength/ruling) or "breast" (suggesting nourishment and comfort). It emphasizes God as the self-sufficient, all-sufficient sustainer.

·       Biblical Significance: El Shaddai was the name by which God revealed Himself to the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) before revealing the name YHWH to Moses. It suggests a God who fulfills promises and provides for needs.

According to Scripture, God sees believers through the lens of Jesus' sacrifice—as His beloved children, rather than through our imperfections. He sees the heart, knowing His people intimately, and views them as valuable, "fearfully and wonderfully made" masterpieces created for a purpose.

As New Creations:

2 Cor 5:17-21 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

As Known Intimately:

Ps 139:1-6 O Lord, You have searched me and known me.

2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up;

You understand my thought from afar.

3 You scrutinize my path and my lying down,

And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.

4 Even before there is a word on my tongue,

Behold, O Lord, You know it all.

5 You have enclosed me behind and before,

And laid Your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

It is too high, I cannot attain to it.

Eph 2:8-10 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can't take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.