Wed, 25 October, 2006: Today’s Bible readings.

2 Kings 6:8-19

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.” ⁹ 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.” ¹⁰ 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.

¹¹ 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?” ¹² 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.” ¹³ 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.” ¹⁴ So he sent there horses and chariots and a great army, and they came by night and surrounded the city.

¹⁵ 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?” ¹⁶ He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” ¹⁷ 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. ¹⁸ And when the Syrians came down against him, Elisha prayed to the LORD and said, “Please strike this people with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness in accordance with the prayer of Elisha. ¹⁹ And Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” And he led them to Samaria.

This section of 2 Kings gives us snapshots from the life of Elisha. God used Elisha in a marvelous way, and God displayed His power through Elisha in many unique ways. In today’s chapter, Elisha is “trapped” in a city, surrounded by a hostile army intent on taking him prisoner. Elisha’s servant clearly saw the threat, and he asked in dismay to know what they were going to do since they were in such danger.

Elisha remained calm in the crisis, not because he did not see the threat, but because he was able to see God’s perspective on the situation. Elisha was surrounded by God’s protection, and in fact was in no danger at all.

What do we learn from this?

It is easy for us to get caught up in our circumstances and to become afraid or worried. We can clearly see the threats and the problems. They are real. They are right in front of us. We can’t miss them.

But we miss what is happening spiritually. God is with us. God is protecting us. God is guiding the circumstances for our good and His glory. We can’t see that. The only way we know the spiritual side is because scripture tells us it is so. The Bible proclaims God’s providence in all situations, and we know that He is a gracious and loving Father. He has promised to work our salvation through everything that He brings into our lives. And so, even though our eyes can’t see the hosts of heaven surrounding us, protecting us from the enemies we can see, we know that God is working everything for the good of those who love Him.

It is important that we learn this lesson well when we are not suffering, because being grounded in this doctrine will be an anchor for us the times of pain. If you don’t know this beforehand, in your suffering, you will question God’s actions, motives, character, and even His existence. If there is a loving God, how could He allow this to happen to me?

The answer is that God is there with you in your pain. He is working to bring you through the suffering. And the end result will be for your good and His glory. He is working salvation in His people, even if it means that they must experience pain.

Where is Christ in this passage?

Where is Christ in your suffering? He is there with you. You might not feel His presence. You might feel alone with your pain. You might see nothing other than the problems. But there is a greater one with you, even if you don’t feel His presence. If you have come to Him in faith, He is there with you, working in your life to bring about your salvation.