“The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name.”
Exodus 15:3, from the Song of Moses celebrating the Lord’s deliverance of his people from Egypt.
Some days, trials and tribulations slap at us. Eat out our hearts and pin our weary bodies to the ground. Deliverance seems like a far-off hope. A mirage of wishful thinking.
Open our eyes, Lord.
Sometimes we wake from sleep and know the Lord is near. Like Tuesday, two a.m., and I wake and pray, see a picture of a friend surrounded by angels. And I know: The Lord is a warrior.
Open our eyes, Lord.
Several days later, I sit at the table, breaking fast with a first-grader and a pre-schooler, trying to make it through the morning routine. My son is grumpy, fighting a cold. “You have a virus,” says his sister. I decide he’s well enough for school. He goes off to pout, and again the sister speaks wisdom, “He doesn’t know Jesus is always with him. He has to learn.” We all have to learn.
Open our eyes, Lord.
Sometimes we get worked up over the small things. She cries those six-year-old tears, so many tears her breathing becomes staggered. How do I explain there’s nothing to fear? I’m going away for the evening, but I’ll be back. It’s the usual Wednesday night routine, but tonight her heart can’t get on board with it. “Please, stop,” I say, “You’re making yourself sick.” So daddy rubs her back as I go off to church. In the morning, all is well. Turns out, mom was right. There was nothing to fear.
Open our eyes, Lord.
“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, my lord, what shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes so 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.” 2 Kings 6:15-17
Do you know who’s fighting your battles today?
Open our eyes, Lord.