God Is Surrounding What’s Surrounding You
My brother was thirteen years old when a band of bullies on bikes encircled him like buzzards taunting their prey. He was outmanned and outnumbered. I thought it was the end. But then my dad pulled up in his Pontiac. He didn’t even get out of the car, but simply rolled down the window and gave a look that said, “I dare you.” The bullies scattered like roaches when the lights come on.
As we pray, for ourselves and the ones we love, it’s easy to think the spiritual forces surrounding us are too strong to defeat, too shrewd to outsmart, or too slippery to take hold of. The prophet Elisha’s servant felt the same way.
In 2 Kings, Elisha was really getting on the King of Aram’s nerves. Every time the Arameans planned to attack the Israelites, Elisha prophetically told the Israelites the where and when the assault would come, which led to Aram’s defeat. Here’s how the story goes:
This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, “Tell me! Which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?”
“None of us, my lord the king,” said one of his officers, “but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.” (My favorite verse of the story!)
“Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.”
Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.
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 no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. (2 Kings 6:11-15)
I’ve felt like this before. Haven’t you? Difficult circumstances press in from every side. My story looms large while I shrink small. I cry, “This is too much for me!” I can’t do this anymore. I don’t even want to go out of my house. I can’t face another day! Where are You, God? You promised You would never leave me or forsake me, but I don’t sense Your presence. And if You are here, why aren’t You doing anything? I want out of this story!
Honest. Raw. Somewhat embarrassing to admit. We wake up in the mornings and sense the enemies all around us—surrounded by problems that we cannot solve and people we cannot control.
Elisha’s servant’s faith was as flimsy as the tent flaps he was standing behind, but Elisha was as strong as the tent peg anchoring it to the ground.
Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that 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 6:16-17)
And there you have it: “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Elisha knew that there was more power and strength in the unseen reality of the heavenly host than the seen reality of the enemy’s army.
Notice that the passage doesn’t say Elisha prayed that God would send an army. The warring angels on chariots of fire were already there. He simply prayed that the servant would be allowed to see them.
Even though we may never see God’s warring angels surrounding what’s surrounding us, we can trust they are there. Elisha knew that there was more power and strength in the unseen reality of the heavenly host than the seen reality of the enemy’s army. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them. “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways” (Psalm 91:11). Always.
God of Host, thank You for the warring angels that are surrounding me and those I love today. Even though I can’t see them with my eyes, I sense their presence. Thank you that angels are surrounding whatever is surrounding us. We have no need to fear. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Draw a stick figure of someone you’re praying for today. Then draw a circle around that person. Finally, draw another circle around the circle. Remember, God’s angel armies are that second circle, surrounding what is surrounding them.
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