SEEING THE INVISIBLE
King Jeroboam, the first king of the divided nation of Israel was in distress because of his sinfulness and his son’s illness. Unable to see the reality around him and what lay ahead, he sends his wife to the blind prophet Ahijah, who despite his blindness is able to see much more than the king,
Now Ahijah could not see; his sight was gone because of his age. But the LORD had told Ahijah, “Jeroboam’s wife is coming to ask you about her son, for he is ill, and you are to give her such and such an answer. When she arrives, she will pretend to be someone else.” So when Ahijah heard the sound of her footsteps at the door, he said, “Come in, wife of Jeroboam. Why this pretense? (1Kings 14:4-6)
Incidents like these where a person of God sees much more than his physical senses can allow are commonplace in the Bible, but unfortunately uncommon in a Christian’s experience. Is it truly possible to see what is invisible? The Bible certainly indicates that we can and it all begins with knowing Christ, the author and abode of all wisdom and knowledge.
—that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:2,3)
Coming to know Christ is like entering into a library that contains all the books that have ever been written about every subject- those we can appreciate with our senses and those that are hidden from sight. The one who enters has access to all these resources, but an effort is required to open these hidden books. Far too often we walk through the library satisfying ourselves with the paintings on the wall and the food from the library cafeteria, but don’t bother to go deep into our faith and attempt to appreciate the invisible reality.
Searching the word of God and building up a base of understanding from what has been revealed sets a person up to appreciate that which is hidden. Reading the word of God is much more than reading a script. The word of God is like a gateway into the hidden invisible world, a hub that connects two worlds. A person who has built up a base of knowledge of the word of God finds it possible to navigate the spiritual world. Those who don’t will always struggle to see the invisible.
Elisha the prophet, was a person who navigated the spiritual world with ease. He was a nightmare for the king of Aram, whose repeated plans to defeat Israel were frustrated by Elisha’s insight.
—“but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.” “Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” —– 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. ——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. (2Kings 6:12-17)
What is demonstrated herein is the strength of the spirit of Elisha. Spiritual discernment follows, which is an ability to appreciate the invisible reality using not the sensory faculties, but using the spirit. Every Christian is given a taste of this discernment, but few appreciate the immensity of this gift and the potential it carries. Increasing in spiritual discernment is painful, but possible in a disciple’s life if he chooses to be led by the Spirit, dwells on the Word and uses the invisible faculties of faith, hope and love to nurture his visible life. And this discernment was so advanced in Elisha that he not only sensed the spiritual reality of the chariots of fire in his immediate vicinity (which is miraculous enough), but he was able to discern with specificity what was remotely transacted by the king of Aram in his private chambers. Elisha’s statement to Gehazi, who secretly took a prohibited gift from Naaman similarly indicates how his spirit’s discerning work was active far away from his immediate environment.
But Elisha said to him, “Was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? (2Kings 5:26)
We have the potential to see more than we do. Imagine the possibilities if man begins to see the invisible!
