More With Us Than Against Us
2 Kings 6:8-23
The Blinded Syrians Captured
8 Now the king of Syria was making war against Israel; and he
consulted with his servants, saying, “My camp will be in such and
such a place.”
9 And the man of God sent to the king of Israel,
saying, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are
coming down there.”
10 Then the king of Israel sent someone to the place of which the
man of God had told him. Thus he warned him, and he was watchful
there, not just once or twice.
11 Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was greatly
troubled by this thing; and he called his servants and said
to them, “Will you not show me which of us is for the king
of Israel?”
12 And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but
Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the
words that you speak in your bedroom.”
13 So he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and get
him.”
And it was told him, saying, “Surely he is in Dothan.”
14 Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army
there, and they came by night and surrounded the city.
15 And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out,
there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots.
And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”
16 So he answered, “Do not fear,
for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
17 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.
18 So when the Syrians came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD,
and said, “Strike this people, I pray, with blindness.” And
He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
19 Now Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, nor is this the
city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” But
he led them to Samaria.
20 So it was, when they had come to Samaria, that Elisha said,
“LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” And the LORD
opened their eyes, and they saw; and there they were, inside
Samaria!
21 Now when the king of Israel saw them, he said to Elisha,
“My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?”
22 But he answered, “You shall not kill them. Would you kill
those whom you have taken captive with your sword and your bow? Set
food and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to
their master.”
23 Then he prepared a great feast for them; and after they ate and
drank, he sent them away and they went to their master. So the bands
of Syrian raiders came no more into the land of Israel.
The king of Syria was at war with Israel. He had a council
meeting with his officers. He said, “I will set up my camp in this
place.”
But Elisha, the prophet of God, sent a message to the king of
Israel. It said, “Be careful! Don’t pass that place. The Syrians are
going down there!”
The king of Israel checked the place about which Elisha had
warned him. Elisha warned him several times. So the king added
guards in those places.
The king of Syria was angry about this. He called his officers
together. He said to them, “Tell me who of us is working for the
king of Israel.”
One of the officers of the king of Syria said, “No, my master and
king. It’s Elisha, the prophet from Israel. He can know and tell what you
speak in your bedroom.”
The king said, “Go and find him. Then I can send men and catch
him.”
The servants came back and reported, “He is in Dothan.”
Then the king sent horses, chariots and a large army to Dothan.
They arrived at night and surrounded the city.
The servant of Elisha got up early. When he went out, he saw an army
with horses and chariots all around the city. The servant said to
Elisha, “Oh, my master, what can we do?”
Elisha said, “Don’t be afraid. The army that fights for us is
larger than the one against us.”
Then Elisha prayed, “LORD, open my servant’s eyes. Let him see.”
The LORD opened the eyes of the young man. And he saw that the
mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
As the enemy came down toward Elisha, he prayed to the LORD. He
said, “Make these people blind.” So the LORD made the Syrian army
blind, as Elisha had asked.
Elisha said to them, “This is not the right road. This is not the
right city. Follow me. I’ll take you to the man you are looking
for.” Then Elisha led them to Samaria.
After they entered Samaria, Elisha said, “LORD, open these men’s
eyes so they can see.” So the LORD opened their eyes. And the Syrian
army saw that they were inside the city of Samaria!
The king of Israel saw the Syrian army. He said to Elisha, “My
father, should I kill them? Should I kill them?”
Elisha answered, “Don’t kill them. You wouldn’t kill people whom you
captured with your sword and bow. Give them food and water. And let
them eat and drink. Then let them go home to their master.”
So he prepared a great feast for the Syrian army. They ate and
drank. Then the king sent them away. They went home to their master.
The soldiers of Syria did not come anymore into the land of Israel.
Very often, when we look at our troubles, problems and
circumstances around us, we think that we are overwhelmed and
surrounded. We feel lost and distressed as we are no longer able to
be in control as we focus our attention fully on these
difficulties rather than on God!
But when our eyes begin to open and see God, we will realize that
those with us are more than those against us. In news and social
media today, many people have become biased. Very often, they will
shift towards the dark side of fake news and lies instead of the
truths.
Standing almost alone, it is easy to feel discouraged and
depressed. But the hope in us lingers and shines even in the darkest
hours of our lives! When we begin to see God, we will know that with
God on our side, we are the majority!
God can blind our enemies, and even give them sight again! We can
even prepare a feast for our enemies. We can love our enemies! God
can prepare a table for us in the midst of our enemies, problems and
troubles! His ways are always higher
than ours! His plans are better than ours! And love never fails!
Psalm 27:1-3
An Exuberant Declaration of Faith
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the strength of my life;
Of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked came against me
To eat up my flesh,
My enemies and foes,
They stumbled and fell.
3 Though an army may encamp against me,
My heart shall not fear;
Though war may rise against me,
In this I will be confident.
Truly, the LORD is our light and the One who saves us. So why
should we be fearful of any person or thing? The LORD protects and preserves us. So why
should we be afraid?
Evil people may try to destroy our homes and families. Our
enemies and those who hate us attack us. But they will be overcome
and defeated.
If an army surrounds us, we will not be afraid. If war breaks
out, we will still trust the LORD.
We are confident that He is with us always. Emmanuel!
If interested, please view this song:
The LORD Is My Salvation
Written on:
29 November 2023