10/13/2008
2 Kings 6:8 - 17 (HCSB) 8When the king of Aram was waging war against Israel, he conferred with his servants, “My camp will be at such and such a place.”
9But the man of God (Elisha) sent [word] to the king of Israel: “Be careful passing by this place, for the Arameans are going down there.” 10Consequently, the king of Israel sent [word] to the place the man of God had told him about.
The man of God repeatedly warned the king, so the king would be on his guard.
11The king of Aram was enraged because of this matter, and he called his servants and demanded of them, “Tell me, which one of us is for the king of Israel?” 12One of his servants said, “No one, my lord the king. Elisha, the prophet in Israel, tells the king of Israel even the words you speak in your bedroom.” 13So the king said, “Go and see where he is, so I can send [men] to capture him.
” When he was told, “Elisha is in Dothan,” 14he sent horses, chariots, and a massive army there. They went by night and surrounded the city.
15When the servant of the man of God got up early and went out, he discovered an army with horses and chariots surrounding the city. So he asked Elisha, “Oh, my master, what are we to do?”
16Elisha said, “Don’t be afraid, for those who are with us outnumber those who are with them.” 17Then Elisha prayed, “LORD, please open his eyes and let him see.” So the LORD opened the servant’s eyes. He looked and saw that the mountain was covered with horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
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Have you ever been in a situation where you thought no-one could help you? Have you ever felt so outnumbered that you were sure to be defeated?
Elisha had been given insight from God regarding the military movements of the king of Aram. Elisha had warned the king of Israel each time so that Israel’s army was in place to defend Israel.
The king of Aram was certain there was a spy in his camp but found out that Elisha was warning the king of Israel. The king of Aram was determined to capture the Elisha. What confounds me is, if Elisha knew every movement the king of Aram made, wouldn’t the king of Aram know that Elisha would be able to elude his capture?
Nonetheless, Elisha stayed in Dothan and in the morning, the Aramean army was ready to attack. Elisha’s servant was distressed, but Elisha knew something the servant did not. Elisha prayed and his servant then saw what Elisha already knew. God’s angels were standing in defense of Elisha.
In fact, God’s army is standing ready all the time. His angles are all around us. They will act only at His command - not ours.
We need to learn to trust God that He and his angels will come to our defense when needed.
This is not a promise that we will win every battle, but a promise that He is always present. And when we know He is present, we can rest assured that the outcome will be to His glory. There is no greater victory than to give God the glory He is due.
Jeff Justus
Cleff Publishing
www.cleffpublishing.com
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