June 24
2 Kings 6:1-7:20 | PS 142:1-7 | Prov 17:24-25 | Acts 15:36-16:15
It is so hard to see the truth. The truth is, our God is so real. Our God is bigger and more powerful than anything and anyone. However, our God can’t be seen or touched. So only those with faith (Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen”) actually realize that God is present to help us in our current circumstances. Even those of us with faith only get a glimpse of Him. We read in 1 Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.” So in our struggles in life we often fail to realize the most powerful Ally that we have. Not only do we fail to realize our ally, but we incorrectly see our adversary. We often make things and people our enemies. Many view certain diseases as their enemy. Many see various parts of our government or bureaucratic entities as our enemy. These enemies seem too vast, too organized to fight against. But our true enemy is Satan. We read in Ephesians 6:12, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Once we realize the two sides clearly, no matter how big our obstacles and enemies might seem, our God is infinitely bigger. This realization only comforts those who are in a true relationship with God and spend time abiding with Him frequently.
In 2 Kings we come to an amazing example of God’s supernatural protection. The king of Syria is getting increasingly frustrated. He seeks to attack Israel, but each time it is apparent that the armies of Israel had been warned. It eventually is told the king that it is not due to a traitor in his army, but due to Elisha, the prophet of God. We pick up in the story in 2 Kings 6:14-17, “Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then 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.” God’s angelic forces had been deployed. Not only do we often fail to see, but we also fail to comprehend. In Luke 24, after the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, two disciples on the road to Emmaus are walking away from Jerusalem when Jesus comes alongside them. We read in 24:16, “But their eyes were restrained, so that they did not know Him.” The two are despondent and relay to Jesus the events of the days and events surrounding Jesus’ death. Jesus then said In 24:25-27, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?” And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.”
How often we go through life paralyzed in fear as we size up our opponents and fail to seek our God. Like the young servant of Elisha, we often suffer spiritual blindness. Like the disciples on the road to Emmaus, we are often slow to comprehend. God is real. He is not playing hide and seek with us. The question is are we seeking Him? Are we relying on Him? Do we see Him as the source of our strength and the One who can fight our battles? He is all present, all powerful, and all knowing. As God’s children, may we remember the promise in Isaiah 54:17, “No weapon formed against you shall prosper, And every tongue which rises against you in judgment You shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And their righteousness is from Me,” Says the Lord.”
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: