The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: “Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there.” 10 So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places. 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.” “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. “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 Lordopened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike this army with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked. – 2 Kings 6:9-18
Elisha, “the man of God,” was a great prophet in the Old Testament. He had been warning the King of Israel concerning movements of his enemies. The king of Aram finally discovered how the Israelite army was one step ahead of him- the Israelites had Elisha the prophet on their side. So the king of Aram became enraged and ordered a contingent of his army to find Elisha and capture him.
That night an army with horses and chariots surrounded the city where Elisha lived. In the morning, the servant of Elisha looked out and saw the large army surrounding the city. He was terrified. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet replied, “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” It sure didn’t look that way! All the servant could see was the huge enemy army surrounding them! Then Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” And the Lord opened his eyes to see the immense, innumerable army of God’s angels, with horses and chariots of fire, all around Elisha. They had been there all along. Elisha was in no danger at any time. At the command of God, the enemy army was struck blind and completely helpless.
We naturally see the danger all around us. We are frightened by its size and power. We cry out, “Oh no, my Lord, what shall we do?” Elisha’s word to his servant is still true for us. “Don’t be afraid…those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” We can’t see Him, but God in all his power is with us. They are hidden from sight, but the innumerable angels of God- an immense, fiery army- surrounds us, to protect us and defend us.
Lord God open our eyes, that we may take heart in the truth that those who are with us are more than those who are against us, today and every day. Amen.
-Pastor Anderson