How do you feel when you do the right thing and you develop opposition against you? The scripture bleow tells us how Elisha dealt with it.
“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 young man, and he saw. And behold the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” 2Kings 6:15-17
Elisha did what was right in the Lord’s eyes by warning Israel’s king about the plans of the Syrian king. When you do what is right in the Lord’s eyes, the enemy is not happy about it, and as a matter of fact he will try to stop you from doing the right thing. In this case, the Syrian king sends horses and chariots and a great army (v.14) to capture Elisha who prophetically had been speaking to his king. He had not been spying on the Syrian king. When Elisha’s servant saw the great army and the chariots, he was frightened and asked Elisha what they should do. Elisha, as usual, seeing in the realm of the spirit told his servant that there are more with them than there was with the king’s army.
When we are persecuted for doing the right thing, we may be bold momentarily, but as soon as opposition arises against us, we start feeling like Elisha’s servant. Sometimes the opposition may even come from our own brothers and sisters in Christ. That makes it even more challenging. It gives a greater chance for us to doubt ourselves. Elisha prayed for his servant to see in the spirit realm that there were more with them than those against them. This should be our posture as well. Ask God to open your eyes to see in the spirit and not get stuck with what you see in the natural realm. God opened the servant’s eyes, and he saw the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
The Bible tells us that the Lord is a shield for those who trust in Him (Psalm 18:30b). It also says that He contends with those who contend with us (Isaiah 49:25). Those are important scriptures to remember in time of persecution or accusation. We should always allow the Holy Spirit to examine us in case we have committed any willful or ignorant sin. Once that’s settled then we bow in humility and confidently rest in Him. The Lord will fight for His interests in our lives. When we represent Him, He will back us up.
The Syrian army lost because God sent blindness, but Elisha told Israel’s king not to kill them. Instead he asked the king to prepare a great feast for them (v22) which is a reminder of Psalm 23:5, ”He prepares a table for me in the presence of my enemies…”. Praise God!! His ways are not our ways, and He fights His battles so differently than the way the world does. Even in fighting, He is a redeeming God. His desire is for none to perish but come to repentance. Praise Him!!!!
What battle are you fighting today? Is it a relational battle? Is there a friction between you and a sister or brother in the Lord? Is it a financial difficulty or maybe a health issue?
Pray as Elisha prayed that God would open your eyes that you may see. If we walk obediently with God, we have protection from the enemy and the Lord fights our battles. We need to get our fighting instructions from Him, and then follow the orders. We know that we are on the winning team, and nothing shall separate us from the Love of Christ. “If God is for us who can be against us?” Take courage in your heavenly father today.