When I Am More Like Elisha’s Servant …

 

“And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw.  And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” (2 Kings 6:17, NKJV)

Our gracious and loving Heavenly Father, because He made us, “understands our frame.” (Psalm 103:14)

I for one am most grateful that He does.  That is why He recorded events and situations that happened to the various Biblical characters and then preserved them for our learning.

He knew … He knew we would need encouragement.  He knew we would need to know that our own emotions, feelings, heartaches … were experienced by those before us! He knows everything about every one of us … and everything about life … about living … about choosing.

He knew … life could get messy at times!  He knew things happen over which we often have little or no control.

But He also knew that we could overcome whatever comes our way, not by any innate strength or talents of our own, but with Him beside us … we can be “more than conquerors.” (Romans 8:37)

Aren’t we so blessed to have such a loving, caring, and mindful Heavenly Father?  Yes … yes we are!

One such preserved event occurs during the tenure of Elisha the prophet.  Surrounded by a hostile army with apparently no way out or way to escape their capture, his young servant goes outside and sees nothing but trouble. (2 Kings 6:14-15)

Elisha reassures him in 2 Kings 6:16 “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” It is then we find one of the most inspiring, encouraging, strengthening statements in the entirety of the Old Testament in our opening text.

The knowledge of the omnipotence, the presence, the protection, and care of His own is a truth that our adversary will do his very best to blind us to. Sadly, he has become all too successful.

God’s people when threatened … discouraged … fearful … uncertain, must hold on to the truth as the Apostle Paul writes by inspiration, “We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.” (Romans 8:37)

Just a couple of quick assurances that we all need … especially when we find ourselves leaning more in the direction of Elisha’s servant than the faith and confidence of the prophet:

  • We must ask our loving God to open our eyes to His ever-present helping hand!
  • The clearer our “walking by faith” becomes … the level of our trust in the absolute power of Heaven and God’s sovereignty over all in this world will alleviate the fear from the troubles of this world.
  • Elisha wasn’t asking for the angelic army to be gathered … they were already there! God knows what we need … and when we need it the most!  That’s the God we serve!
  • Our God is greater than any emergency we might find ourselves in the face of. King David knew firsthand what he was writing in Psalm 34:7, “The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him and delivers them.”

We have a God, “the One true and living God, the Great I Am” … and He provides for us, regardless of what this world thinks about supply and demand!

My friend … my brother or sister in Christ … it may seem like the enemy is all around us today.  It may even appear as if the forces of evil have marshaled together to bring all sorts of trouble … health scares, financial challenges, loss of a job, struggles in our relationships … it all can add up to what may seem to be an insurmountable mountain!

Lord, open our eyes so that we may look past the dangers to the deliverance!

Oh, the comfort that comes to God’s people when God opens their eyes and they see. “Oh Lord, please help me to grow stronger in Thee!”

“What then shall we say to these things?  If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)

I just need to remember … It’s always good to be on God’s side!

 

Bill Fairchild, Jr.

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