Divinely Protected

In 2 Kings 6, the King of Assyria sent an army of horses and chariots to surround the city where Elisha was staying. His aim was to seize Elisha the prophet as he was able to hear his conversations and warn the people of Israel. The king was confounded about his plots against Israel being constantly thwarted and learnt that Elisha was responsible. I am amused that he would send such a great army to seize a single prophet. Nevertheless, he was no match for the armies of God who fought for Elisha. It was Elisha’s servant who was anxious about the great army. Imagine being at the place with God where you are not even moved by a great army?

The army came to seize Elisha yet he was reassuring his servant. “Do not be afraid because there are more with us than are with them.” Many of us would instantly start to question the presence of God at the sight of the army. Some of us would even start to doubt or blame God for allowing the army to come out to kill us. Elisha was not limited by his physical senses but was able to perceive in the spirit. That is what separated Elisha from ordinary people. His ability to see beyond his reach and to see how God sees. He also prayed for his servant to see what he was seeing.

“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 Kings 6:17). Once the servant could see what Elisha had seen, he was also reassured. Elisha then prayed for the Lord to strike the army with physical blindness. He led them into Samaria before asking God to open their eyes again. Elisha didn’t allow the King of Israel to kill the soldiers but fed them and sent them away. They never came to raid Israel after this encounter with Elisha.

Elisha was very confident in God because he had spiritual sight and he knew that he was divinely protected. If we could only glimpse into the realms of the spirit, then we would see the host of armies that are defending and protecting us. “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them” (Psalm 34:7). As long as we fear God and remain close to him, then nothing shall by any means harm us. The weapons will be formed against us, but they will not prosper. Keep your eyes on Jesus so that you can see Him fighting your battles.

“A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you” (Psalm 91:7).

A.P.-Y.