This morning I continue with my meditation on 2 Kings 6 : 8-17, focusing on the following verses:
So he (King of Syria) sent there horses and chariots and a great army, and they came by night and surrounded the city. ...
And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So 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.
What a dramatic story. It depicts the terror of the young man to find in the morning that they’re going to be attacked and it’s unavoidable. A great army with horses & chariots against ordinary people. “What shall we do under such dire situation?”
In contrast, God’s prophet was very calm and undisturbed with what’s going on. Whom you could identify yourselves more with? The fear-stricken young servant or the calm old prophet?
Then the second passage in the New Testament (Acts 23 :23) that talks of similar situation:
Then he called two of the centurions and said, “Get ready two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go as far as Caesarea at the third hour of the night.
The context of the story was a group of Jews were plotting to kill Paul by ambush. Again a very similar situation as happened above. God’s chosen vessel stands in a way of God’s enemies. So they used numbers to overwhelm and subdue. BUT GOD, uses even greater numbers to protect His chosen instrument.
What a turn of events in both accounts. Often times God’s people are outnumbered and outpowered. The enemy like to muster their troops to subdue God’s children through numbers and powers or weapons. But God has the final figure. As Psalmist says:
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.
Psalm 46:1
The safest place is at the center of God’s will. When all you have is God, God is all you need. We’re not saved through horses and chariots, but our helps come from the Lord, the maker of Heaven and Earth.
May life’s challenges and even dangerous moments draw us to God. He is Our Refuge, and He keeps His Promise.