Open the Eyes, Lord – The Journey from the Natural to the Supernatural

In Genesis 21:19, we read, “Then God opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. So she went and filled the skin with water and gave the boy a drink.” This simple yet profound moment in Scripture unveils a timeless truth: God’s provision is always present, but we often fail to perceive it until He opens our eyes. Let us embark on a journey to explore the layers of spiritual truth within this passage and its broader implications for our lives.
The Divine Provision Is Already Present
God did not create a new well in the wilderness for Hagar and her son Ishmael. The well already existed. This moment serves as a powerful reminder that God’s provision is not something distant or unattainable. It is already in our midst, waiting to be recognized and received. Hagar’s desperate cry to God did not result in the creation of something new, but in the revelation of something that was already there.
Seeing God’s Provision in Our Wilderness
How often do we find ourselves wandering in our own wilderness seasons, consumed by fear, anxiety, or despair? Like Hagar, we cry out to God, wondering if He has abandoned us. Yet, His provision is never absent. The issue lies not in the availability of His resources but in our ability to perceive them.

  1. God Opens Our Eyes to See Provisions
    When Hagar’s eyes were opened, she saw a well that was always there. This teaches us that our greatest need is not for more resources but for spiritual insight. The living waters of the Holy Spirit are always available, but without spiritual sight, we remain parched and desperate.
  2. Disobedience Opens Eyes to Sin and Death
    Contrast Hagar’s experience with that of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:7. When they disobeyed God, their eyes were opened, but it led to shame and separation from Him. This teaches us an important truth: while God’s intervention opens our eyes to life and provision, disobedience opens our eyes to the consequences of sin.
Prayer Opens Eyes for Others
In 2 Kings 6:17, Elisha prayed for his servant, saying, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” God answered this prayer, and the servant’s eyes were opened to see the mountains filled with horses and chariots of fire. This divine vision revealed the protection and presence of God surrounding them.
Interceding for Others to See God’s Hand
Our prayers have the power to open the eyes of others. When we intercede for those who are spiritually blind or struggling to recognize God’s hand in their lives, their spiritual eyes can be opened. They can begin to see the blessings, opportunities, and protection that God has already provided.

  • Spiritual Blindness in Others: Many people are unable to see the wells of provision around them because they are blinded by doubt, fear, or worldly distractions. As believers, we are called to stand in the gap and pray for their eyes to be opened.
  • Examples from Scripture: Elisha’s servant is a perfect example of someone whose perspective changed entirely when his eyes were opened. What appeared to be a hopeless situation was revealed to be one filled with divine strength and protection.
God Opens the Eyes of the Enemy
In Numbers 22:31, we see an extraordinary moment when God opened the eyes of Balaam. As Balaam prepared to curse Israel, God revealed the angel of the Lord standing in his path, ready to stop him. This encounter not only changed Balaam’s course but turned his intended curse into a blessing.
Turning Opposition into Opportunity
God’s ability to open the eyes of the enemy demonstrates His sovereign power to turn every situation for His glory. Even when we face opposition, we can trust that God is at work. Just as Balaam’s vision led him to bless Israel instead of cursing them, God can use our adversaries to fulfill His purposes and bring blessings into our lives.
The Natural Will Run Out, but the Supernatural Endures
When Hagar ran out of water, it symbolized a deeper truth: the natural will always come to an end. Abraham likely gave her sufficient provisions when she left, but these finite resources were exhausted in the wilderness. This highlights the limitations of human effort and material wealth.
The Temporary vs. the Eternal
The water Hagar carried from Abraham’s household was temporary, but the well God revealed to her was a source of lasting sustenance. This distinction between the natural and the supernatural mirrors our spiritual journey:

  1. Natural Resources Will Deplete: Our own strength, intellect, and resources can only take us so far. Eventually, they will run dry.
  2. Supernatural Resources Are Eternal: The living waters of the Holy Spirit, however, are inexhaustible. Jesus declared in John 4:14, “Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst.”
Accessing the Supernatural Through Prayer
How do we access these supernatural resources? The answer lies in seeking God through prayer, praise, and worship. Hagar’s cry in the wilderness was a prayer of desperation, and God responded by opening her eyes. Psalm 34:17 reminds us, “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.”

  1. Prayer Opens the Windows of Heaven: When we cry out to God in faith, He reveals the hidden wells of provision that were invisible to us before.
  2. Praise as a Weapon: Praise shifts our focus from our problems to God’s power. It positions us to receive His supernatural provision.
The Danger of Worldly Distractions
One of the greatest obstacles to recognizing God’s provision is our preoccupation with worldly concerns. After the Fall, humanity became fixated on the natural, often forgetting the supernatural realities that surround us.
The Disciples on the Road to Emmaus
In Luke 24:28-31, the disciples walking to Emmaus failed to recognize Jesus until He broke bread with them. Their spiritual eyes were opened, and they realized that the Lord had been with them all along. This account illustrates how easily we can become blind to God’s presence due to distractions and misplaced expectations.
Philippians 4:6-7: The Cure for Worry
Paul’s exhortation to the Philippians provides the key to overcoming anxiety and worldly distractions: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” When we release our worries to God, we create space for His peace to guard our hearts and for His Spirit to guide us.
The Living Waters Are Always Near
The living waters of the Holy Spirit are not far from us. They are a wellspring within us, as Jesus said in John 7:38: “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” Yet, like Hagar, we often fail to recognize this internal source of life because we are consumed by external challenges.
Recognizing the Source Within
The challenge for every believer is to shift their focus from the visible to the invisible, from the temporary to the eternal. This requires a deep trust in the Spirit and a commitment to seeking Him daily.
The Composition of Body, Soul, and Spirit
To fully understand the significance of spiritual sight, we must recognize that we are a composition of body, soul, and spirit. Just as our physical body has eyes, so do our soul and spirit. These spiritual eyes allow us to perceive the unseen realities of God’s kingdom.
The Need for Spiritual Perception
Without spiritual perception, we remain blind to God’s presence and purposes. Ephesians 1:18-19 speaks to this need: “The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.”
Lessons from Creation
Even in creation, we see the contrast between the natural and the supernatural. Consider the raven and the dove released by Noah:

  • The Raven’s Failure: The raven was distracted by the dead carcasses in the floodwaters and failed to return to the ark.
  • The Dove’s Success: The dove brought back a fresh olive leaf, symbolizing new life and restoration. This teaches us to focus on the things that bring life and lead us back to God.
Walking in Spiritual Awareness
To live with open spiritual eyes is to walk in awareness of God’s presence and provision. It is to recognize that His living waters are always near, ready to sustain us in every season.
Practical Steps for Spiritual Awareness

  1. Daily Prayer and Worship: Cultivate a habit of seeking God’s presence daily.
  2. Meditation on Scripture: Allow the Word of God to illuminate your path.
  3. Surrender and Trust: Release your worries and trust in God’s provision.
God desires to open our eyes—not just to see His provision but to partake of it fully. May we live in a posture of prayer, praise, and spiritual awareness, always ready to receive the living waters that flow from His presence.

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