One of my favorite stories comes from the Bible in the book of Second Kings. The prophet Elisha had been a thorn in the flesh of the nation of Aram and they devised a plot to take his life. They gathered a great Army with horses and chariots and went by night and surrounded the city of Dothan where Elisha was staying. When Elisha’s young attendant arose in the morning and went outside he saw the army that had surrounded the city. In despair he went to Elisha and said, “Oh, sir, what will we do now?” From his perspective, he saw their situation as being hopeless.
Note Elisha’s response, “Don’t be afraid! For there are more on our side than on theirs!” Elisha understood a great truth: With God there are no hopeless situations. WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE! But who were the people Elisha was talking about? Who made up this host of allies? Notice what he prayed. “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man. He saw an amazing sight. “When he looked up, he saw the hillside around Elisha filled with horses and chariots of fire.” The Lord allowed the young man to see the vast army of heaven that was about to bring victory for Elisha. God opened the young man’s eyes to be able to see in the spiritual realm and from that perspective things looked totally different!
There are times in my life that I feel like Elisha’s attendant. As I look around, it seems that the enemy has surrounded me on every side. I feel outnumbered and overpowered. Discouragement sets in as I ponder, from my perspective, sure spiritual defeat. It is then that I consider the words of Elisha: “Don’t be afraid! For there are more on our side than on theirs.” As God opens my heart to the spiritual realm, my faith and confidence are increased as I claim the reality that there is a vast heavenly army that surrounds me! With that assurance, I can face any situation with the confidence that God will bring about victory on my behalf. I pray that God would give you a glimpse of the heavenly realm so you can see those who are fighting spiritual battles on your behalf!
(This incident in the life of Elisha the prophet is taken from 2nd Kings 6: 8 – 23. The selected quotations are from the New Living Translation of the Bible.)