Those Who Are With Us…
“‘Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered.
2 Kings 6:16 NIV
‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.'”
This week, in order to spend some time on vacation with my family, I did not prepare a long post. Instead, I thought we could spotlight one of the prophets in 2 Kings by reviewing one of my old posts. Three years ago, I wrote a short story based on one of my favorites stories in the Bible: the story of Elisha and the Arameans in 2 Kings 6:8-23. I’ve included the Scripture passage below if you would like to read it. And here is a link to the post that includes the story I wrote based on this passage: Our Awesome God
I titled the story “Vision” because it’s a story about sight…
“Elisha Traps Blinded Arameans”
“Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, ‘I will set up my camp in such and such a place.’
The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: ‘Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there.’ 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 Lord opened 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.
Elisha told them, ‘This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for.’ And he led them to Samaria.
After they entered the city, Elisha said, ‘Lord, open the eyes of these men so they can see.’ Then the Lord opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria.
When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, ‘Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?’
‘Do not kill them,’ he answered. ‘Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.’ So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel’s territory.”
2 Kings 6:8-23 NIV
“And Elisha prayed, ‘Open his eyes, Lord, so that 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.”
2 Kings 6:17 NIV
This week’s Scripture passages remind us that when we’re feeling overwhelmed by our circumstances and it looks like the odds are stacked against us, we can take comfort in the fact that there are also unseen forces of good at work all around us. The Lord promises to fight for us when we seek Him and make Him our refuge. So, let’s pray that He will open our eyes to all He is doing in our lives. When we learn to fix our gaze on the unseen and keep our focus on God, we may just see amazing things!
“Nothing that is happening to you is beyond His reach or strength to conquer it for you. Yes, you may feel the full impact that this trial is too big for you. But that is so you can know for certain that it is the Lord who delivers you. So do not lose heart or be afraid. God is in control. And He will undoubtedly help you.”
Charles F. Stanley
References:
- Stanley, Charles F. God’s Purpose for Your Life: 365 Devotions. Thomas Nelson, 2020.
Images:
- Angel featured image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
- Horse image by Victoria_Regen from Pixabay
- Fire Heart image by Gloria Williams from Pixabay
About The Author
Christa
My vision for Wondertakings was to create a devotional blog for "nerdy" Christians like me. I do believe, as Socrates said, that wisdom begins in wonder. So I love to read or watch anything that inspires wonder and figure out what I can learn from it. I view it all through a Christian lens. I believe that God can and does speak through many sources in many ways, even if those speaking are not aware of it. I am not an expert in theology or religious studies. My goal with this blog is simply to share what I've learned as a fellow student and sinner in the Christian walk. My hope and my prayer is that by doing so I may be able to help someone else. In Deuteronomy 5:33 (NLT), we are told: "Stay on the path that the Lord your God has commanded you to follow. Then you will live long and prosperous lives. . . ." So in the words of Moses (and Spock), live long and prosper, my friends!