The King of Syria was worried. He planned to invade the land of Israel and had chosen what he thought was the perfect place to camp in order to carry out his plan…but somebody gave his plan away. Figuring that one of his own had become a traitor, he called his servants together and asked them, “Will you not show me which of us is for the king of Israel?”
One of the servants spoke up and said, “None of us, but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel tells the king of Israel the words you speak in the privacy of your own bedroom!”
The King then sent spies to find this man of God and they found out he was in a city called Dothan. He then sent horses and chariots along with an army of soldiers by night and they surrounded the city where Elisha was.
When Elisha’s servant woke early and saw the soldiers with horses and chariots he was alarmed and asked Elisha, “What shall we do?”
Elisha answered, “Don’t be afraid, for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.”
Elisha then prayed and asked God to open the young man’s eyes that he might see their protection. The Lord opened his eyes and he saw Elisha on top of the mountain and there were horses and chariots of fire all around him, covering the mountain.
When Syria’s army approached, Elisha prayed again and asked God to strike them with blindness…and He did. Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, and neither is this the city. Follow me and I will bring you to the man you seek”… But he led them to Samaria, to the king of Israel.
Elisha prayed for their eyes to be open and they were shocked to find themselves in Samaria. The king was shocked also. “What shall I do? Shall I kill them?” he asked Elisha.
“You shall not kill them,” Elisha told him. “Would you kill those you have taken captive with your sword and bow? Feed them and send them back to their master!”
So that’s what the king did. He had a great meal prepared for them, fed them and sent them back to their King. So the soldiers of Syria came no more into the land of Israel. 2 King 6: 8-23
Can you imagine how the king of Syria reacted when he heard what had happened to his army at the hands of Elisha, the ‘man of God’? At least it kept him from sending them again.
Today we face many evils and some just as powerful, or more, than the Syrian army was. Just as Elisha had an army of protectors around him that were unseen we have the same… His name is Jesus.
We are introduced to Jesus first as a miracle child, born of a virgin, and even the angels rejoice at the news of His birth. Then we see him as 12-year-old child who leaves the company of his parents and spends three days in Jerusalem saying to His mother, “I must be about my Father’s business.”
Later, we see Jesus being baptized by John the Baptist before He starts His ministry to inform the world of God’s love. He performs miracles, heals the sick and raises the dead. He speaks to the people in parables, knowing that only a few, with ears to hear and hearts to understand, will truly receive His message. He teaches things like, be kind, love one another, don’t lie,don’t cheat, don’t steal, don’t kill…and worship no other God but Him, the Father of all creation.
Throughout His ministry, Jesus is mocked, spat on, challenged on every point He makes and treated like an enemy. Finally, He is brought before the court and found guilty…because He claimed to be God. Then He is killed. He knew from the beginning, who He was, exactly what would happen and that His death was the final sacrifice needed to bring understanding of God’s love and forgiveness to a world full of sinners.
Jesus is mentioned many times in the Old Testament such as in Isaiah, then we get to know Him through the first-hand accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John… and Paul who met Him on the road to Demascus. He is depicted as a lamb, a shepherd,a friend, a teacher, a prophet, a spirit… and God’s own Son. He is our rock, our shield, our intercessor, our hope and our promise of eternal salvation.
When you think of Jesus which image of Him do you see? Do you envision Him walking beside you as a friend, hanging on the cross, beaten and seemingly defeated, or in heaven sitting at God’s right hand?
When I am in need of help in what to me seems like an impossible situation, I like to see Him as described in Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True…12 His eyes were as a flame of fire and on his head were many crowns… 13…and his name is called the Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in white linen, white and clean. 16 And he hath on his vesture a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
That’s the Lord we serve: a warrior when needed who will not fail in any battle we ask His help with. A true and loving friend who leads us in the paths of righteousness and sees us through our darkest hours. Who instills in us the faith and conviction we need to overcome any weapon the devil throws at us.
Today as we celebrate the 4th of July and America’s independence and while we honor those who served in our military, let’s not forget the One who saw us through the wars and trials to where we are today. May we remember to always honor Him and say along with Psalm 121 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 2 My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. 3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY
