“Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” Then Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes and let him see!” The LORD opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire. 2 Kings 6:15-17 (NLT)
Elisha was on King Aram’s hit list. The prophet of God was always one step ahead of the king, thwarting his battle plans over and over again. Angered, King Aram mobilized an army to kill Elisha. He didn’t spare any expense but went all out in his effort to capture the prophet; verse 14 states that the king dispatched a ‘great army with many chariots and horses’ to surround the city of Dothan, where Elisha resided at the time.
When Elisha’s servant awoke, he stepped outside. His jaw dropped as he spotted troops, horses, and chariots surrounding the city. The servant panicked and ran back inside, crying out, “What do we do now?”
Have you ever uttered those same words? What do we do now we’ve received a life-altering diagnosis? What do we do now that I’ve been handed a pink slip? What do we do now the bank and creditors have sent us notices? What do I do now my spouse has left me to raise the kids alone? What will I do now that the one I loved so dearly has gone to be with the Lord?
Elisha’s response? “Don’t worry – there are more on our side than on their side.” The impressive show of force surrounding Elisha and his servant was just a drop in the bucket compared to the angelic army fighting for them. When Elisha’s servant’s eyes were opened, he noticed the whole mountainside was covered in horses and chariots of fire. In that moment, with that revelation, everything changed.
Life’s battles can seem overwhelming. That’s exactly where the devil wants us. He whispers, “What will you do now there is no hope in sight?” Yet, God affirms the opposite. God will never leave us or forsake us. He is in control. Nothing and no one can ever come between Him and His beloved children – did you catch that simple but crucial word? Nothing! There is always hope with God on our side.
Thought: “The first step on the way to victory is to recognize the enemy.” Corrie Ten Boom