Seeing God's Presence: Trusting Beyond Our Circumstances

Devotional

Day 1: God's Presence is Always With Us

God's presence is a constant and reliable source of comfort and strength, even when we don't perceive it. The story of Elisha and his servant in 2 Kings 6 illustrates this beautifully. When the servant saw their city surrounded by enemy forces, he panicked. But Elisha prayed for God to open his servant's eyes, revealing an angelic army surrounding their enemies. This story teaches us that God's protection and presence are always with us, even when our circumstances seem dire. We may not always see or feel it, but God is there, working behind the scenes for our good.

Just as we might wear a watch without noticing its intricate workings, we can go through life without recognizing God's constant presence. The key is to shift our perspective and see through the lens of God's promises rather than trying to change our circumstances. By trusting in God's presence, we can find peace and confidence, knowing that He is always with us, no matter what we face. [08:14]

2 Kings 6:16-17 (ESV): "He said, 'Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.' Then Elisha prayed and said, 'O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.' So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha."

Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you feel overwhelmed or alone. Can you ask God to open your eyes to see His presence and protection in that situation today?

Day 2: Perspective Over Circumstance

Elisha's prayer was not for the elimination of their enemies but for the illumination of God's presence. This shift in perspective teaches us that God's promises are not tools to change our circumstances but lenses to see His enduring presence. By focusing on God's promises, we can find peace and confidence even in the midst of trials. Elisha's servant initially saw only the danger, but once his eyes were opened, he saw God's protection.

This teaches us that our perspective can significantly impact how we experience our circumstances. Instead of praying for our problems to disappear, we should pray for the ability to see God's hand at work in our lives. This perspective shift can transform our understanding and experience of God's promises, helping us to trust in His constant presence and find peace in any situation. [12:33]

Psalm 34:7 (ESV): "The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them."

Reflection: In what areas of your life are you focusing more on the problems than on God's promises? How can you shift your perspective to see God's presence and protection today?

Day 3: God's Ways Defy Human Logic

Elisha's act of leading the blinded enemy army into Samaria and treating them with kindness resulted in peace. This defies human logic but aligns with God's divine wisdom. It shows that God's ways are higher than ours and that His plans often involve grace and mercy, even towards our enemies. This act of grace and perspective shift led to a cessation of hostilities, demonstrating that God's ways are rooted in His divine wisdom and often defy human understanding.

This story challenges us to trust in God's wisdom and to respond with grace and kindness, even when it doesn't make sense to us. By following God's ways, we can experience His peace and see His plans unfold in ways we never imagined. [16:28]

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Reflection: Think of a situation where you are struggling to understand God's plan. How can you trust in His wisdom and respond with grace and kindness, even when it defies human logic?

Day 4: Trusting God's Presence in Suffering

The cross is the ultimate example of God's presence in the midst of suffering. Even in the most heinous and evil moments, God is working out His divine plan. This teaches us to trust God's presence and sovereignty, even when we don't understand or agree with our circumstances. The cross shows us that God's presence is most profoundly felt in the midst of suffering, and that He is always working for our good, even in the darkest times.

As we reflect on the cross, we are reminded that God's presence is always with us, even when it seems hidden. This gives us the strength to trust in His sovereignty and to find hope and peace in the midst of our own suffering. [29:18]

Hebrews 13:5-6 (ESV): "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we can confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?'"

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt God's presence in the midst of suffering. How can you trust in His presence and sovereignty in your current circumstances?

Day 5: Prayer for Open Eyes

We should continually pray for God to open our eyes to see His presence in our lives. Just as Elisha prayed for his servant's eyes to be opened, we should ask God to help us see His hand at work in every situation. This perspective shift can transform our understanding and experience of God's promises, helping us to trust in His constant presence and find peace in any situation.

By praying for open eyes, we invite God to reveal His presence and work in our lives, helping us to see beyond our circumstances and to trust in His promises. This prayer can lead to a deeper understanding of God's presence and a greater sense of peace and confidence in His protection and provision. [26:54]

Ephesians 1:18 (ESV): "Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints."

Reflection: Take a moment to pray for God to open your eyes to see His presence in your life. How can this perspective shift help you to trust in His promises and find peace in your current circumstances?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Today, we began a new series titled "Like Clockwork," focusing on the timeless promises of God. We explored the promise of God's presence, emphasizing that God is always with us, even when we don't perceive it. This theme was illustrated through the story of Elisha in 2 Kings 6, where Elisha's servant initially panicked upon seeing their city surrounded by enemy forces. However, Elisha prayed for God to open his servant's eyes, revealing an angelic army surrounding their enemies. This story teaches us that God's presence is constant and reliable, even when our circumstances seem dire.

The analogy of a watch was used to explain how we often miss the intricate workings of God's presence in our lives. Just as I wore a watch for seven months without noticing its inner workings, we can go through life without recognizing God's constant presence. The key is to shift our perspective and see through the lens of God's promises rather than trying to change our circumstances.

Elisha's prayer was not for the elimination of their enemies but for the illumination of God's presence. This teaches us that God's promises are not levers to pull for immediate relief but lenses through which we can see His enduring presence. The story culminates with Elisha leading the blinded enemy army into Samaria, where they are treated with kindness and sent back, resulting in peace. This act of grace and perspective shift led to a cessation of hostilities, showing that God's ways often defy human logic but are always rooted in His divine wisdom.

We concluded by reflecting on the importance of trusting God's presence in all circumstances, whether they are joyful or painful. The ultimate example of this is the cross, where God's presence was most profoundly felt in the midst of suffering. As we partake in communion, we are reminded that God's presence is always with us, even when it seems hidden.

###

Key Takeaways

1. present. This teaches us to trust in God's constant presence, regardless of our circumstances. [08:14]
2. Perspective Over Circumstance: Elisha's prayer was not for the elimination of their enemies but for the illumination of God's presence. This shift in perspective teaches us that God's promises are not tools to change our circumstances but lenses to see His enduring presence. By focusing on God's promises, we can find peace and confidence even in the midst of trials.

3. God's Ways Defy Human Logic: Elisha's act of leading the blinded enemy army into Samaria and treating them with kindness resulted in peace. This defies human logic but aligns with God's divine wisdom. It shows that God's ways are higher than ours and that His plans often involve grace and mercy, even towards our enemies.

4. Trusting God's Presence in Suffering: The cross is the ultimate example of God's presence in the midst of suffering. Even in the most heinous and evil moments, God is working out His divine plan. This teaches us to trust God's presence and sovereignty, even when we don't understand or agree with our circumstances.

5. Prayer for Open Eyes: We should continually pray for God to open our eyes to see His presence in our lives. Just as Elisha prayed for his servant's eyes to be opened, we should ask God to help us see His hand at work in every situation. This perspective shift can transform our understanding and experience of God's promises.

### [08:14]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[02:12] - Introduction to "Like Clockwork"
[03:07] - The Watch Analogy
[03:43] - Elisha and the Servant's Perspective
[05:02] - The Enemy's Plan
[06:40] - Elisha's Confidence in God's Presence
[08:14] - The Revelation of the Angelic Army
[09:11] - The Importance of Perspective
[11:57] - Illumination Over Elimination
[12:33] - God's Promises as a Lens
[13:17] - Elisha's Prayer for Blindness
[15:14] - The King's Response
[16:28] - Grace Towards Enemies
[18:29] - Trusting God's Presence in Difficult Times
[20:29] - David's Confidence in God's Protection
[22:15] - Personal Story of Trust
[24:41] - Trusting God's Presence Even When Unseen
[26:54] - Prayer for Open Eyes
[27:40] - Communion and the Cross
[29:18] - God's Presence in Suffering
[31:52] - Invitation to Trust in Jesus
[33:08] - Final Prayer and Reflection

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was Elisha's servant's initial reaction when he saw the enemy forces surrounding the city? ([05:51])
How did Elisha respond to his servant's fear, and what did he pray for? ([07:31])
What was revealed to Elisha's servant after Elisha's prayer? ([08:14])
How did Elisha treat the blinded enemy army once they were led into Samaria? ([16:28])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Elisha prayed for his servant's eyes to be opened rather than for the elimination of their enemies? ([09:11])
How does the story of Elisha and the angelic army illustrate the concept of God's presence being constant and reliable? ([08:14])
In what ways does Elisha's act of leading the enemy army into Samaria and treating them with kindness defy human logic but align with God's wisdom? ([16:28])
How does the cross serve as the ultimate example of God's presence in the midst of suffering, according to the sermon? ([29:18])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt surrounded by difficulties. How might your perspective have changed if you had been aware of God's presence in that situation? ([09:59])
Elisha's prayer was for illumination, not elimination. How can you apply this principle in your current challenges? ([11:57])
Elisha treated his enemies with kindness, which led to peace. Is there someone in your life you need to show unexpected kindness to? How might this change your relationship? ([16:28])
The sermon emphasized trusting God's presence even when it seems hidden. How can you remind yourself of God's presence in both joyful and painful times? ([24:41])
The analogy of the watch was used to illustrate how we often miss God's presence. What are some practical ways you can become more aware of God's presence in your daily life? ([03:07])
How can you incorporate the prayer "God, open my eyes to see Your presence" into your daily routine? ([26:54])
Reflect on the cross as the ultimate example of God's presence in suffering. How does this perspective help you trust God in your own times of suffering? ([29:18])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "We're kicking off a series called Like Clockwork. Like Clockwork, we're talking about trusting in the timeless promises of God. You think about promises, I think a lot of people have some confusion around this area because I think we think a lot of things in the scriptures are promised and they're just not. But there are things that God promises that, like clockwork, dependable, reliable, consistent, consistent, God will come through every single time, time and time again." [02:12] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The promise of God's presence differently. That we would understand it in a new way. In a way that maybe we've never seen before just by having a different perspective. We're going to be in 2 Kings chapter 6 today. That's what we'll be out of in the Bible. And we're going to read about Elisha. S-H-A, not Elijah with a J. Elisha. He is one of 13 men in scripture that are referred to as the man of God." [03:43] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "You have to realize that what is invisible is often more valuable than what's visible. Like it, like just because I, if I have a nice watch, but there's nothing invisible underneath it, there's no inner workings. There's nothing that's unseen. It's a broken watch. It's a useless watch. It's a, it's a fake watch. It's, it's not keeping time. It's what's inside. It's what's unseen." [10:41] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "It may look like I'm surrounded, but I'm surrounded by you. It was just this gift given to them. This girl in worship, I think she was in her teens, early teens, like, it may look like I'm surrounded, but the reality is I'm surrounded by you. I love having grandkids because we get perspective from them, that when you're a parent, you're just dealing with it. You're not watching it. You're in it. You're just in the middle of it, and now I'm watching it going, that's so much like me because I don't understand what God's up to." [19:40] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "Perspective. Perspective. When God is in it, it looks good. It looks different. When God is in it, it might not make sense. When God is in it, we don't have to agree with it and understand it. I want to jump back for just a moment to that surrounded concept. When you're in the middle of a painful thing, a difficult thing, a frustrating thing, a thing that you just don't get, like you're just going, why God? Come on. Like really? Maybe stop and ask, am I seeing everything? Is there something else beneath the surface?" [18:29] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "The reason he's called the man of God is because the man of God acts in a certain way. The man of God always brings confidence to a situation. The man of God brings peace. The man of God understands the promises of God. And the woman of God, I'm using that gender inclusive, right? So, verse 16, don't be afraid. prophet answered, Those who are with us are more. More than those who are with them." [06:40] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "It'd have been one thing to go, oh, those enemies are gone. We're cool. But instead, he illuminates the reality, which is, I got this. I'm here in the middle of it. You might not see it, feel it, believe it, understand it. But I got this. He illuminates his presence. And so often we go to God's word, or we think of God, God's promises, like this lever. Oh, we're going to pull this lever. Oh, you know what? God said it. So here he goes. I'm going to pull the lever, and then I'm going to make it stop." [12:33] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "Perspective. Seven months, I wore a watch. I didn't know you could see the inner workings of it. Perspective. And so I mentioned at the start, a prayer that I normally pray each morning over the chairs and how God expanded that and changed it a little bit today. One of my prayers this week for you and myself has been, Father, may we live in the beautiful reality that you're always with us. Amen. Amen. Amen. That reality." [25:27] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "But to not think, to just think the universe is like some random thing in charge, like it's up to the universe, like to not have a God that's over all, man, what a hard, I can't imagine my life without it. So maybe today could be the day that you submit and give your life to, to that God. I would pray that that would be the case. But for a lot of us, it's just open my eyes, open our eyes, let's pray, God, the most horrible thing you did, the most beautiful thing in the most difficult time, you accomplished the most divine, right thing. You saved us." [31:52] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "And so my hope and prayer is we would open our eyes now as we commune and go, hey, whatever we're up against, could we not just, just try to not forget? Forget that God's in it and with us. And he hasn't gone anywhere, even though it might look like it or feel like it. He is still reliable. He's still like clockwork. He's still able to be counted upon. Even if all of the painful things that the, if, if, if, if, and I, and I'm, I'm so tempted because I'm, I know different stories and different things. I could, I could just look at each person and kind of go, yeah, I, I know. And I know, and I get it." [30:42] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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