There are more on our side than on their side

2 Kings 6:15-17

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 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,”O Lord, open his eyes so 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.

I don’t know very much about Elisha.  I know that he was an Old Testament prophet and a man of God, and I know that he had the power to perform miracles.  Earlier in this chapter, it is explained that Elisha knew the  plans of the king of Aram to harm the king of Israel.  Elisha warned the king of Israel so that he could evade the trap.  This made the king of Aram very angry, and when he found out that Elisha was the source of the information supplied to the king of Israel, the king of Aram sent “an impressive fighting force” to Dothan, where Elijah was staying.  Verse 14 says, “they came by night and surrounded the city.”

Wow.

When I think about the servant’s experience in the context of my daily life, it must have been like getting out of bed and finding an entire army between me and the coffee maker.  That would be worrisome.

But, the best part is what comes next.  I love the way the Message translates verse 16, “Don’t worry about it — there are more on our side than on their side.” MSG

Now, if I’m that servant, I’m thinking, “There’s just me — here in my pajamas — and all of these soldiers and horses are in the kitchen — counting you, there are two of us … why should I not be worried?”

But Elisha asks God to open the servant’s eyes, and the army of horses and chariots and fire that is protecting Elisha is revealed to him.

Wow.

I wonder, could Elisha see this army all the time?  Was the army always there?  Or, did they just show up when Elisha really needed them?  I don’t know the answers to these questions.

But, I do know that as a Christian, I have a power within me that is much greater than that contained in my physical body.  I have been in-dwelt  with the Holy Spirit of God, I am a child of God, and He will never leave me or forsake me.

What if I had Elisha’s vision?  What if I could actually see the power of God going before me, or the hand of God supporting me in times of stress?  Would that make it easier to trust God?  I am thinking that it might.  But, I also think that trust earned in that way would not be as precious as the trust that comes with true faith.

I will think about that today.