This was the message given to our boys at the assembly for Term 3.
From Scripture Reading
Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law. – Ps 119:18.
I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, – Eph 1:18 18
Today I would like to share with you from the 2 book of Kings 6: 16-17.
Firstly, I would like to give you some background to the text. The stage is set with a prophet of God named Elisha and a young man his helper. A powerful King sends his armies to surround and capture the Prophet Elisha. The prophet’s helper panics, and fear grips him. With his adrenalin pumping, he runs as fast as our Mosebi to the prophet Elisha.
Lets take a deep breath and read the response of the prophet: “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. – 2 Kings 6:16 -17
The story depicts a man of fear and a man of Faith.
We have come to the end of another term and some of us are filled with fear as we may be in a difficult place, some may be experiencing health problems, financial strain, family problems and some may be afraid of what the term report card is going to show.
However, some of us despite the challenges are fuelled with Faith that our latter days will be greater than our former. We have the faith to believe that God will see us through the challenges, storms and trials. The storms and challenges seem to blind us and prevent us from seeing all the good around us. When you woke up this morning what did you see? Did you see that God has blessed you with another day? Did you see that God has given you another day to spend time with your family and friends? Did you see that the sun woke up with you this morning and conquered the dullness of the past few days. Unfortunately, this morning many of us were looking down at our phones, blinded by Facebook, WhatsApp, tik Tok and tweets and missed out to see the goodness of God.
As we come to the end of another term we need to pause and open our eyes that despite the challenges that we face we have a lot that we need to be grateful for. There is more for you than against you. You have the privilege of attending one of the finest schools in the country. You have access to the best resources and educators in the world. You have the opportunity to play various sport and participate in a variety of cultural activities. You need to stop complaining and making excuses and grab the opportunities and privileges you have and be the best you can be.
Looking at you right now you all are breathing, you have hands, legs and a brain much powerful than a computer as a computer has artificial intelligence and you have real intelligence.
We all need an Elisha in our lives. We need a mentor, a friend who can see the miracles and blessings in our lives. We all need to have somebody we can trust to help us see the goodness of God. It is often difficult for us to see what God is really doing because we are so consumed by the circumstances of the moment. I pray that God today will help you open your spiritual eyes that you might see his goodness and see that despite the negativity there is still more for you than against you.
Thirty years ago my English teacher shared a famous quote:
“Two men looked through the bars of prison one saw mud while the other saw stars.”
The above quotation illustrates the fact that two people can look at the same thing, but each perceive something diametrically different.
Hang out with people that are positive, people that see stars. Hang out with people that have faith to believe that God is on your side and has plans to prosper you and not harm you.
When I look at you, what do I see, I see men of destiny, future leaders, Drs, engineers, politicians, educators, springbok players, Bafana Bafana players, Hollywood, and Bollywood stars. Let me stop as you need to get to class.
With that impregnated in your minds let us bow our heads in prayer.
Lord we humbly approach your throne of grace and pray that you forgive us for the things we have done wrong. We thank you that you have been faithful in seeing us through another term. Indeed, you were a present help in times of need. We return thanks to you Lord for the success on the sports fields, academics areas and cultural arenas. We pray for the upcoming holidays that you would watch over our boys and staff and keep them safe. We pray that we would see the goodness of God in our lives. For those that are travelling we pray safe travelling mercies to their destinies and back home. Lord, we pray good health, protection and peace upon our families and friends.
In closing Lord, I declare a blessing upon our boys and staff:
“The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.” – Numbers 6:24-26
In Jesus name, Amen