2 Kings 6:8 Once when the king of Syria was warring against Israel, he took counsel with his servants, saying, “At such and such a place shall be my camp.” But the man of God sent word to the king of Israel, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are going down there.” And the king of Israel sent to the place about which the man of God told him. Thus he used to warn him, so that he saved himself there more than once or twice.
And the mind of the king of Syria was greatly troubled because of this thing, and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me who of us is for the king of Israel?” 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.” And he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and seize him.” It was told him, “Behold, he is in Dothan.” So he sent there horses and chariots and a great army, and they came by night and surrounded the city.
When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around 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.
2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.
2 Chronicles 32:7-8 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
Isaiah 8:10 Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing; speak a word, but it will not stand, for God is with us.
Matthew 26:53 Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?
Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
I am always intrigued when I read this account of Elisha and one of his servants when surrounded by the Syrian army. Two against a powerful army. Elisha was so matter of fact. “Do not be afraid for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And then to add to this statement he prayed that the Lord would open his servant’s eyes so he should see those God had supplied. “The mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” “If God is for us who can be against us?” “for God is with us”, “but with us is the LORD our God, to help us “.
Has God changed? Is His protection ever far from us? No God has not changed and He is never far from us. He is always present. So why does it feel like He is not close and not helping? Is it because we are not close to Him? Have we strayed from Him? Have we come to love this world and what it has to offer more than humbly serving God and following and obeying Him? Have we become blind in our faith and deaf to the knowledge of Him? Are we like Elisha’s servant who says “what should we do”?
We stray from God when we neglect His word. We stray away when living for Him has been replaced by so many other things that keep us busy thinking about everything but Him. Busyness is not an excuse – it is a choice. We can choose to be close to Him, honoring Him, serving Him, relying on Him, following Him, obeying Him, and trusting in Him – ALL OF THE TIME!!! Not just when it is convenient or fits our schedule.
Choose to be close to Him, stay in His word each day, seek His leading, and listen for His direction.