Discover His heart: He surrounds us with His army of protection
Spies, counterspies and espionage – all ingredients for a great story, at least in my mind. I love spy stuff and really enjoyed visiting the Spy Museum in Washington, D.C. a few years ago. The inventory of spy gear, listening and recording devices and weapons developed over the years boasts of a well-developed spy industry around the world. The Museum tells the story of many notorious spies dating back to early Roman times and even offers the visitors the opportunity to adopt spy profiles and memorize their covers. Fun stuff.
Most spies through the ages had one goal in mind and that was to secure classified information from enemy territory for their king, country or company, and they used many different tools to accomplish it. However, one spy in history never had to infiltrate enemy territory, never used spy gear and was always right on the money. What government wouldn’t pay big bucks to sign up the prophet Elisha! Unfortunately, his services have been terminated…but not his Source.
@ 2 Kings 6
The King of Aram was at war with Israel, but every strategic move he planned fell into the hands of his enemy, Israel. Certain that there was a spy within his ranks, he questioned them and soon learned that the prophet Elisha was the culprit. “It’s not us, my lord the king,’ one of the officers replied. ‘Elisha…tells the king of Israel even the words you speak in the privacy of your bedroom!’” (12) Obviously, Elisha had supernatural help.
The king sent a large army to capture the threat to his kingdom, but they were no match for this humble prophet. When the mighty army surrounded Elisha, his servant cried out, “Oh sir, what will we do now?”(15) More calm, cool and collected than 007, Elisha replied, “Don’t be afraid!… For there are more on our side than on theirs!’ Then Elisha prayed, ‘O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!’ The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.”(16-17)
In the battles we face against our enemy, there is a dimension beyond what we see in the natural, a Source not limited by spy paraphernalia. He knows the enemy’s strategy and is never taken by surprise. We may be tempted to cry out in the heat of battle, “What will we do now?” But that is when, like Elijah, we should pray, “O Lord, open my eyes and let me see.” And at that moment, we will see through eyes of faith the invisible and know that we are not alone for there are more horses and chariots of fire on our side than any number of enemies we may face
“The angel of the Lord is a guard: he surrounds and defends all who fear him.” (Psalm 34:7) He was with Daniel in the lion’s den, the Hebrew children in the fiery furnace, Peter in the prison cell and He is with us in whatever battle we are facing. “If God is for us, who can ever be against us.” (Romans 8:31) When we pray, He will open our spiritual eyes to see His hand, His army, His whatever that is needed to bring victory to our lives, and we will not be afraid!
Moving Forward: I will move forward this day with the confidence that my Source already knows the enemy’s strategy and has surrounded me with an invincible defense.
Tomorrow @ Psalm 81-83
Phyllis Benigas 