EYES WIDE SHUT

As clearly as the four lepers and the young prophet in training all have the eyes of their heart opened to the redemption at hand, the two kings Ben-Hadad and Jehoram absolutely never get it. They each experience God’s repeated mercy, yet neither are able to see it.  Though God be shown merciful and loving, though He is exposed to be long suffering and patient and though He is seen to be the God of the second chance to the second chance, there is nothing in the rebellious, unregenerate man that will choose to submit to a God that he still sees as nothing more than authority. His, “eyes are wide shut”!The passage which is now to engage our attention needs to be read at a sitting, so as to perceive its connections, its unit and its wonders. In it there is a striking mingling of light and shade: the dark background of human depravity and the bright display of the prophet’s faith; the exercise of God’s justice in His sore judgments upon a rebellious and wayward people, and the manifestation of His amazing mercy and grace. A.W.PINKHe is ever ready with his mercy, he waits to be gracious, yes, he is always beforehand with us in his grace, but he is very slow footed in punishment; Verily he is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy. C.H.SPURGEONTEXT: 2 KINGS 6:24-7:20SONGS: OPEN THE EYES OF MY HEART, PAUL BALOCHEHOLY HOLY HOLY, MISSION WORSHIPHEART OF WORSHIP, MATT REDMANJUST AS I AMHIS MERCY IS MORE, MATT BOSWELL