Do You See What I See?

I was rereading 2 Kings 6 where Elisha reveals to his servant the army of angels on the hill as the enemy was coming for them. Instead of just starting there I went to the beginning getting the full grasp of events. There are several things worth noting that happen before the great revelation of God’s army.

God sends warnings of the enemy’s plan.

The Arameans were at war with Israel. The king of Aram would set up his strategy meetings to lay out their next attack on Israel. However each time they would pick a point of attack, God would reveal the plan to Elisha. Elisha would warn the King of Israel. It happened so frequently, that the king of Aram accused his own men of turning on him.

God often warns us or I should say prepares us for a coming attack. There have been times that I just can’t shake a verse of scripture or a song. It’s like it’s set on constant repeat. Those are times that should alert us. If there is a constant pull or draw to these things, there is a reason. When we received bad news recently I had been in the same portion of scripture for 2 weeks. When the news came (the enemy’s attack) those scriptures carried me through.

God doesn’t leave us out there floundering. He wants to equip His children with what they need for when they need it. There is no accident that God’s word is called a two edged sword. (Heb 4:12) Swords are used for battle. As Christians we will battle. We have a real living enemy that doesn’t want us to succeed in life or advance with God. If God is laying specific scriptures, songs, or even phrases in your heart, don’t ignore it, embrace it. Because God loves us, He wants to prepare us. Pick up your sword (bible) and prepare.

Stand your ground before your enemy

As I was continuing to read 2 Kings 6 I realized something I totally missed before and revealed some unbiblical thinking I held onto. Verse 10 says “So the King of Israel would send word to the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he would be on high alert there.” The army of Israel did not flee from the impending attack. As I thought on this, my initial response was if they knew the enemy was coming why wait around? Why not leave that area? And to the deeper root, “Why not avoid the enemy?”

God has not called us to be wimps! God has not called us to be retreaters. He has not called us to be in a constant state of hiding or avoidance of our problems. This is a crucial concept to grasp. The bible is full of verses telling us to stand our ground. Often when people fled in the bible, it was a result of being out of His will in the first place.

Ephesians 6:13 says “ Therefore put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will be standing firm.” God not only wants us to be equipped to fight, He doesn’t want us to run. We fight our enemy and then we stand firm maintaining our ground. When territory is won in battle it still needs to be maintained to avoid it being recaptured. God has us play offense and defense, but He does not call us to retreat. Stand your ground before the enemy and watch him flee when he realizes you can’t be overtaken.

When satan came after Jesus in the wilderness Jesus fought back with scripture. (Matt 4) Jesus was already at a weakened physical state. He had been fasting for 40 days, but He still had the resolve to fight. Why? Even though His physical needs weren’t met, He had been building Himself up spiritually. Fasting is dying to self, but building up the inner man. God may be calling some to focus on fasting as their battle strategy.

Personally I hate fasting! Yet I understand the only reason is, because it’s uncomfortable. It’s something that I know is guaranteed to hurt, but it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be done. When a gardener prunes a plant, I imagine that hurts. It wouldn’t be comfortable to be pulled at, snipped and cut, but it’s what’s necessary to grow. It removes the dead things that would cause the plant to stay stagnant and eventually wither all together. Fasting draws out the dead things, the things that stunt our growth so that we can grow in God.

Humorously, times I’ve felt strongest to fast I’ve been pregnant. I couldn’t do a traditional fast of all food. However, I’ve found other things to give up like sugar, social media, pop, and carbs. I’ve given up things that I felt were overtaking me; my time, my thoughts. It wasn’t easy, but every time I did it I had new clarity. It was as if the fog lifted. My enemy wanted me to be so distracted over there by social media, I missed what he was doing over here in my life. The enemy wanted me to be so entranced with sugar, that I had no self control. God has not called us to live without self control. Fasting helps reveal and remove distractions that cause us to miss what the enemy is doing in our lives.

You’re never truly alone

Lastly, I came to the portion in 2 Kings where the army of angels was revealed to Elisha’s servant. The Arameans were advancing on Elisha since they found out he was the one warning Israel. Elisha’s servant is petrified. Verse 16 says “ Don’t be afraid! Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” Elisha prays for his eyes to be open and see what he sees. It’s revealed the hillside is filled with horses and chariots of fire. Although God’s army is there, they aren’t used. Instead Elisha prays to blind the army and leads them to a different city, making them believe they went the wrong way. He then stops the king of Israel from attacking them and lets the Arameans go. The Arameans are then too scared to attack Israel again.

There may be times when you feel like you are battling alone, but you are never truly alone. 1 John 4:4 says “…because greater is He that is in you, than He that is in the world.” We have God dwelling within us. He is greater than our enemy out there. We are not alone. Romans 8:26-27 says the Holy Spirit helps us and also intercedes for us. I also believe God puts us on other believers hearts and minds to pray. I’ve heard countless testimonies of believers praying for someone right as tragedy struck. We also have God’s word. It's full of believers that have walked difficult paths and how God delivered them. They weren't alone hundreds of years ago and we aren't now either. We are never truly alone and that gives us courage to stand up to our enemy.

2 Kings 6 is a very rich text. It is filled with truths we can apply that give us encouragement and hope as we face difficult times. God sends us warnings. We can stand our ground. We are never alone. Let these thoughts encourage you today and also breathe new determination in you. A new determination that the enemy will not and can not defeat you. A new mindset that the Jesus living in you is greater than the devil in the world.