The Invisible Army

We can get very weary when we read the headlines.
We can get discouraged when we watch the news.
It is so easy to focus on the things that are wrong all around us.
But we must remember how limited that perspective truly is.

I love the old mystery movies…when someone or something needs to be hidden.
The person doing the searching always looks under beds or in closets.
But the one place they never tend to look is…UP!

Why do we always look around…or at…or straight through?
Why do we fail to look up?

Every year I read through the Bible.
I do not do that for sheer accomplishment.
I do it for the growth.

I love God’s story.
For me, not to know God’s Word in its entirety would be the worst possible thing.
By studying the whole Scripture, you get a full perspective on God and His love for us.
You begin to see how New Testament understanding hinges so much on knowledge of the Old Testament.

As I was reading in 2 Kings the other morning, I read again a story that encourages my heart tremendously.

The king of Aram was at war with Israel. But the prophet, Elisha, warned the king of Israel time and time again to be on his guard. This infuriated the King of Aram, who discovered that Elisha was indeed the one who was warning Israel’s king. The King of Aram found out where Elisha was and sent men to capture him. Men with horses and chariots surrounded the city.

Elisha had a servant who got up early and saw the army of soldiers surrounding the city and ran to tell Elisha.

“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them. And Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.” The Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:16,17)

I have always loved this story because I need to think with this perspective.
The servant’s eyes were opened so that he could see God’s army…invisible to everyone else.
There is an invisible world of protection all around us.
God’s army far outnumbers the enemy.

That is so like God.
Protecting His people with an army that only the eyes of faith can see.
The servant’s eyes were open to actually see God’s vast army.
But for us…by faith…with certainty…without seeing…we know that it is there.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)

If we only look around…never look up…we will miss the unseen world that surrounds us.
We may never experience it with our eyes the way Elisha’s servant did.
But, we have God’s Word to tell us it is there.

Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. (Psalm 119:105)

When we carry a lantern, there is just enough light to illuminate the path in front of us.
That is what God’s Word does…it illuminates the path before us.
It is not a spotlight or bright stadium lights illuminating a whole area at once.
God’s Word gives enough light so we can take the next step.

I like the truth of that.
If I had stadium lights to light my way, I might trust in myself.
I can see…I can do it…I know where I am going.

But the lantern of God’s Word lights just the path in front of me.
Without that little bit of light, I would stumble.
I cannot maneuver alone.
I can’t see…I can’t do it…I don’t know where I am going.

God needs to light the way.
In the small shaft of light, I look up and see His face.
By faith, I see the army He has stationed all around me.

Do not be afraid of them; the Lord your God Himself will fight for you.
(Deuteronomy 3:22)

We need to remember that those who are with us are more than those who are with them.
Look up…through the eyes of faith…with the lantern of God’s Word.
Be encouraged.