Irvin Wasswa, Tylertown Campus Pastor LHBC
2 Kings 6:8-20
8 Once when the king of Syria was warring against Israel, he took counsel with his servants, saying, “At such and such a place shall be my camp.” 9 But the man of God sent word to the king of Israel, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are going down there.” 10 And the king of Israel sent to the place about which the man of God told him. Thus he used to warn him, so that he saved himself there more than once or twice.
11 And the mind of the king of Syria was greatly troubled because of this thing, and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me who of us is for the king of Israel?” 12 And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.” 13 And he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and seize him.” It was told him, “Behold, he is in Dothan.” 14 So he sent there horses and chariots and a great army, and they came by night and surrounded the city.
15 When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16 He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So 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. 18 And when the Syrians came down against him, Elisha prayed to the Lord and said, “Please strike this people with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness in accordance with the prayer of Elisha. 19 And Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” And he led them to Samaria. 20 As soon as they entered Samaria, Elisha said, “O Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” So the Lord opened their eyes and they saw, and behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.
One of my favorite movies of all time is the great sports film Remember the Titans.The movie takes place in Virginia during the early 70’s involving a local football team which was one of the first to be racially integrated in the area. As you know that was a major deal considering how racially charged the country was during the time. Two of the main characters, Julius Campbell and Gary Bertier were the two best players on the team but could not stand one another due to their racial differences (Julius was black and Gary was white). Over time they bonded and ended up becoming best friends as they led their team to one of the best records in the state. After one of the last games of the year, Gary was involved in a terrible car accident, paralyzing him from the waist down. When Julius found out, he rushed to the hospital to learn that he was the only one Gary wanted to see. As he walked to the door, the nurse mentioned “only kin allowed in here”, to Gary’s response: “Nurse, are you blind? Can’t you see that he is my brother?” The nurse only saw that Julius was black, but didn’t see the fact that in spite of their skin differences because of their bond and friendship, they were as close as brothers. What the nurse needed at that moment was some real vision to see past the skin color and look at the heart to see their bond!
In the same way in 2 Kings 6 we see a man who displays true vision. The context of the passage is that the Syrians are at war with the people of Israel. The King of Syria was upset because it seemed as though the Syrians were always one step behind the israelite army. Every tactical move they made the Israelites had countered. The reason being was that Elisha the prophet of God was informing the king of Israel of every move the enemy was going to make. The Syrians in response decided to retaliate by surrounding the Israelite people and wait for them to attack when they woke up. The servant of Elisha responds frantically to the army, whereas Elisha responds in faith because he had real vision.
Imagine the servant of Elisha at this moment. You wake up and look out to see hundreds of thousands of soldiers surrounding you. You then report it back to your leader just to hear him sit up and say: “Relax! We have way more soldiers out there then they do”. I would have thought that he was crazy! Maybe if you were being honest you understand exactly what the servant of Elisha is feeling. You look out and around your life and you see nothing but chaos surrounding you. Perhaps it was the grim news about the love one who is sick. Perhaps it is that vice that has creeped back into your life looking to devour you again. It seems as though trouble has you surrounded on every side; that the storm just won’t end.
Can I encourage you today that though trouble has surrounded you, the One who is over your trouble is still in control and on your side? Psalm 3 tells us that the Lord is a shield for us in times of trouble. Psalm 27 tells us that the Lord is our light and our salvation. Psalm 62 tells us that the Lord is a refuge in times of trouble. Deuteronomy 31:8 tells us that the Lord has gone before us and that He is with us in the trouble. Though trouble surrounds you, God is greater! Praise God. I encourage you today to look to Him when trouble comes. Listen, when it is difficult to see Him, pray for God to give you real vision to see Him and remember His promises!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Dear Heavenly Father Lord, thank you for walking with me in every season of life. I thank you for Your promises that I find in Your word as I go through tough times. Give me eyes to see You even when life can become difficult and to choose to rest in You. Amen!
MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK:
Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.