TEXT:* 2 KINGS 6:8-23
Key Verse: “And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” (2 Kings 6:16)
The prophets of God were useful to the kings and leaders of Israel in various ways. They confronted and exposed idolatry and helped to create a conducive environment for the people to freely and publicly worship the Almighty God. They demonstrated confidence in God when their situations demanded worry and anxiety.
Elisha was one of the outstanding prophets in the Bible days. He demonstrated his confidence in God when it appeared there was no hope. The Bible records eighteen encounters between him and needy people. Each time, he expressed his confidence in the power of God.
In our text, the king of Syria was in a fix. Time after time, his military aggression against Israel had ended up in woeful defeat as they tried to fight Israel. The Syrian king then suspected there was a traitor among his soldiers. Informed that the ‘traitor’ was Elisha who was revealing his strategies, he sent soldiers, with chariots and horses to trap and kill the prophet at Dothan.
Elisha’s servant was alarmed when he saw the physical army, chariots and horses of Syria. But Elisha was not moved. He believed in the power of God. God’s answer to Elisha’s prayer opened his servant’s eyes to see the mighty army of heaven. His confidence was re-kindled.
When we face difficulties that look seemingly insurmountable, we should not forget the myriad of spiritual resources and forces God has put at our disposal even though we may not see them with our physical eyes. As believers, we must always walk by faith and not by sight. We should resolve to look away from difficulties, however challenging and, instead, look up unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:* There is a great reward for our confidence in God.
COVER to COVER:* PSALMS 89; 96; 100; 101; 105; 132.
PONDER:
- National victories through the ministrations of a prophet v9-10. Never ignore the ministry of a true and gifted prophet of God.
- The enemy can penetrate God's territory and use their spiritual gadgets to identify locate anyone they intend to harm v12,13.
- The enemy can decide to destroy a whole city because of a single target v13-14.
- Fear not, they that be with the saints are more:
in number Revelation says only 1/3 of angelic beings are demons. To every demons fighting a child of God are two angels fighting for him.
in power the enemy used physical horses and chariots v15. God used spiritual and invincible horses and chariots of fire which are not even at the disposal of Satan v17.
in strategy the horses and chariots of the enemies are visible but those fighting for us are invisible. v17.
So fear not - Elijah commanded fire to devour hundreds of his enemies 2Kings 1:10-13. Elisha did not used that method. He fed his enemies v18-23. Which method is more effective?
- Paul also copied Elisha by using temporary blindness to handle BarJesus (check for the passage), the enemy of the gospel. In dealing with your enemy, who do you want to follow? Elisha or Elijah and why? Luke 9:54-56.
HYMN: If God be for us
1 Rejoice in the Lord! O let His mercy, cheer,
He sunders the bands that enthral;
Redeemed by His blood, why should we ever fear,
Since Jesus is our “all in all?”
Refrain:
“If God be for us, if God be for us,
If God be for us,
Who can be against us,
Who, who, who?
Who can be against us, against us?”
2 Be strong in the Lord! Rejoicing in His might,
Be loyal and true day by day;
When evils assail, be valiant for the right,
And He will be our strength, our stay. [Refrain]
3 Confide in His Word, His promises so sure;
In Christ they are “yea, and amen”;
Tho’ earth pass away, they ever shall endure,
‘Tis written o’er and o’er again. [Refrain]
4 Abide in the Lord, secure in His control,
‘Tis life everlasting begun;
To pluck from His hand the weakest, trembling soul,
It never, never can be done! [Refrain]
PRAYER POINTS:
- Lord, I praise you because of your sure protection over my life. I say no to all forms of fear in my life.
- Lord, I command blindness on all my adversaries so that they will not be able to locate or monitor me in the spirit world.
- Lord, expose, judge and destroy all the gadgets and the strategies of the adversaries against my divinely ordained destiny.
- Lord, raise up more of your true prophets in the Church.