“Don’t be afraid,”
the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are
more than those who
are with them.”
II Kings 6:16 (NIV)
My five-year-old
grandson was excited about starting pre-school but nervous about not doing well
on his entrance exam. His mother had prepared him with encouragement and a hug.
“Just do your best and you will be
fine,” she told him, as they walked into the school.
Jude sat down on
the tiny chair in the classroom and waited quietly for the pre-school teacher
to start the screening. The first question appeared to be an easy one: “Jude,
what would you do if you walked into a dark room?” she asked. He never
hesitated for one second as he replied “Panic!”
We see a similar
response from the servant of Elisha the prophet in today’s Scripture. The king
of Aram was at war with Israel but he was unable to inflict damage
because every time he made a decision, Elisha would let the king of Israel
This enraged
Aram’s king to the point that he decided to send a huge army in the darkness of
night to surround the city where Elisha and his servant were staying so he
could capture them.
Elisha’s servant
woke up to chariots, horses and men surrounding the city. The servant knew the
odds were not good at all and he was ready to panic. In fear he asked Elisha
“Oh, my lord, what shall we do?”
But Elisha
calmed his servant by telling him that “Those who are with us are more than
those who are with them.” He then asked the Lord to open the eyes of his
servant so he could see the host of angels with chariots and horses, waiting to
obey God’s command.
Can you imagine
the expression on his servant’s face as he looked around and saw the huge holy
army ready to do battle? Panic would instantly be replaced by calm.
What about you? What
“dark room” are you entering today? In what “city” are you surrounded by an
army positioned to attack? Are you afraid because of a situation at work that
threatens to overtake you? Does a problem in your life appear hopeless?
Please do not
panic! Do not count out the warrior Jesus Christ. Just as He sent reinforcements
to Elisha, Jesus stands ready to do battle for us, His children. He is beside
us, protecting, directing, defending and doing battle on our behalf.
Never forget
that the One who is with us is more powerful than those situations that are
against us. Trust Him as He battles on our behalf.
Father, thank you for your protection of my
family and me. I praise you for doing battle for us against the enemy. Help me
to not panic and be fearful but to trust in you. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
R.A.P. it up . . .
Reflect
- Have
you ever faced a situation that did not appear to have a good outcome?
- Was
your first response to panic or to pray? Why?
Apply
- Carry
today’s power verses on note cards in your purse or pocket.
- When
fear and panic threaten to attack, pull out your cards and thank the Lord
for the promise and encouragement in each verse.
Power
- II
Kings 6:16 (NIV) “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are
with us are more than those who are with them.”
- Psalm
56:3 (NIV) “When I am afraid, I will trust in you . . .”
- Hebrews
13:6 (NIV): “So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will
not be afraid. What can man do to me?”
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