Those Who Are With Us Are More
Kirk Castleman
2/11/98
Those Who Are With Us Are More
Than Those Who Are With Them
One of the great stories in the Bible is found in II Kings 6. It relates that the king of the Arameans was completely at a loss as to how to defeat the army of Israel. He found out that the king of Israel was advised by Elisha how to avoid an attack so he decided to destroy Elisha.
The army of the Arameans surrounded the city where Elisha and his servant were staying and so it seemed like certain defeat! Elisha’s servant went out early in the morning and saw the entire city surrounded by the Aramean army and cried out,
Oh, my lord, what shall we do?
Elisha’s answer is powerful and instructive:
Don’t be afraid, those who are with us are more than those who are with them! Then Elisha prayed,
O Lord, open his eyes so he may see! Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
There are three marvelous lessons
for our learning, and through patience comfort of the Scriptures we might have hope.
• There are many times in our lives, specifically when we have trials, that we are tempted to throw up our hands and say,
Oh, my Lord. What shall we do? Philip and Andrew could not imagine how at least 5,000 people could be adequately fed - there was just no way! We need to learn that we may not see everything and with God
all things are possible!
• We must remember that we are not alone in our Christian lives. We do not have to
fight the battles by ourselves! It may seem as if there is only a small number, and the Bible does say only a
few will be saved, but we also need to remember there is a remnant
who has not bowed the knee to Baal. Heaven will be populated by a great multitude, which no man can number. We have two great intercessors, Christ and the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express... Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. We are not alone! We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses!
• It is possible to be a Christian and not have our spiritual capacities totally enlightened as to the resources that are available to us! Paul prayed for the Ephesians:
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened. Maybe we need to say like David,
Open my eyes that I may see the wonderful things in your law. The army of God was there all the time, but Elisha’s servant simply did not see it! Do we see it?
Maybe one of things we need in our lives is to really see the real possibilities for service and acceptance with God. There is no reason for us to live on the plain of defeat and despair! What will it be for you?
—Kirk Castleman
Humble, TX
