When It Feels Like You’re Surrounded, Look Up! - Kory Beard
“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.
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Platform of Hope submission by: Youth Pastor Kory Beard Promise Land COG
Word of encouragement for both believers and nonbelievers. There’s no question there is a lot going on in our world today. Every time I turn on the news to watch and listen there is always something going on and most of the time negative reports; even social media has become another outlet of people posting worldly news and opinions. It can be a lot to take in and overwhelming at times almost like we’re surrounded but, I have good news for you. There is a God who is on our side and loves us.
I am reminded of a story in 2 Kings 6:15-17
The story starts off with a servant of a man of God who goes outside early in the morning to find himself and the man of God surrounded by an entire army. Okay, could you imagine what was going through the servant’s mind?! This is it; this is where we die! The servant goes back inside and says to the prophet: “We are surrounded Elisha, what do we do now?”
This isn’t Elisha, the prophets first rodeo or encounter with an enemy. What’s fascinating about this text is Elisha’s response. Elisha tells the servant listen; there is more for us than against us. Elisha closes his eyes and prays; Lord, open his eyes that he may see there is more for us than against us. Hold on, Elisha closes his eyes and prays that the servant eyes be open? That’s crazy right? The hidden truth in this text is this: If you don’t see it right you won’t respond right - Seeing things from the right perspective. Elisha says: listen, it’s not what we do but how we see it. To see this from the right perspective so we can make the right decision. Immediately the prophet prayed Lord, open his eyes that he may see. The servant’s eyes were open, and he saw that there were more for them than against them. He saw angels and horses with chariots of fire everywhere he looked.
Today I encourage you to pray Lord, open my eyes that I may see there is more for me than against me. There is a lot going on in our world today. People battling sickness, disease, homelessness, violence in the streets and now Covid-19. It’s easy to feel surrounded by all the noise and chaos going on in our world and community but Gods word gives us peace and hope. God’s word declares in John 16:33 “In this world we will have tribulations. But to take heart; He has overcome the world.”
The hidden truth to how we respond to what’s around us and happening is our perspective. And maybe for some of us the peace we’ve been wanting in the midst of everything going on is your perspective. We have more for us than against us in Jesus name.
I pray this blesses you and even helps someone who feels surrounded by all that is going on. Even when we can’t see it God is still working for our good.