Title: The best secret weapon
Contents
The best secret weapon (2 Kings 6:8-23)
Many people live in fear.
There are two main types of fear that come to humans. The first is the fear of sin, and the second is the fear of not knowing the future. Indeed, it is clear that we live in a world of fear. The fear of dying from a dreadful disease, the fear of losing our most precious people, the fear of losing our job, and as the only divided country in the world, we are gripped by the fear that war might break out. ,
Because of these various fears, the compensation industry has developed in modern society. Medical insurance came into existence out of fear of losing health, car insurance was created out of fear of car accidents, cancer insurance came into existence when people lost their lives due to various cancers, and all at once due to an accident Fire insurance was created out of fear that it might turn to ashes.
In the text we read together today, we can hear Elisha's servant gripping with fear and screaming, 'Ah, my lord, what can we do?' Jesus' disciples also encountered a great storm on their way from Galilee to go to the region of Gerasea.
At this time, the disciples asked Jesus, who was sleeping in fear, saying, "Teacher, do you not see that we are dying..." (Mark 4:38).
Fearful situations are no exception for believers. However, you will see that how you deal with that fear is different depending on your beliefs. Today, focusing on the text, I want to look at people who are in fear and find a way to win through faith even in situations where they have fear.
1. The fear of the king of Syria
The king of Syria mobilized his army to attack Israel, encamped in secret, and tried to achieve complete victory. However, because of the spiritual insight God showed Elisha, he failed over and over again. In order to win the war against Israel, he secretly planned a military operation to attack Israel, but his plan failed as if there was a spy and his plan became known as Israel. So he was 'disturbed in heart' (verse 11). 'Anxiety' means that he was very upset and restless.
His fearful heart immediately summoned his servants to see if there was a spy who had ties to Israel. Then a servant revealed that our failure was not because of the spy, but because of the prophet Elisha. It is that God informed the plan of the Syrian army in advance through Elisha. Elisha knew even the words of the king of Syria in his bedroom. When the king of Syria heard this, he tried to arrest Elisha in order to remove the fear of repeated military operation failures (verse 13). So he sent soldiers, horses, and chariots (verse 14). He relied on military power to dispel his fears. We can see here his folly of trying to block the power of God with the power of an army. They did not fear the power of God, but rather resisted evil and sent an army to capture Elisha. But God destroys those who do not acknowledge Him with a hardened heart and helps His people.
How do we deal with the various fears that come to us?
Do you surrender your fears to God and find peace? Or are you trying to overcome your fears by using my methods, my experiences, and my means? Human means and methods for overcoming fear will inevitably result in greater fear and shame.
2. Servant's Fear
Elisha's servant, who woke up at dawn and looked at the multitude of troops dispatched by the king of Syria, was gripped with an uncontrollable fear. Verse 15 says, “The servant of the man of God got up early and went out and found soldiers, horses and chariots besieging the city. The servant said to Elisha, “Alas, my lord, what shall we do?”
This servant saw only the Syrian army surrounding the city of Dothan. His physical eyes were open, but his unbelieving eyes saw only reality, and only the dangers that befell him.
Everyone!
Those who try to judge everything with human eyes must know that they are at a loss. Truth cannot be judged by the visible world alone. Rather, what you see can prevent you from seeing the truth.
In Numbers 13, 12 spies were selected from Kadesh-Barnea to search the land of Canaan. At this time, 10 spies searched the land of Canaan only with their physical eyes. So they searched for 40 days and came back, saying that the land flows with milk and honey, but the inhabitants are strong and the city is strong (Numbers 13:27-28). Furthermore, they forgot God's promise, saying, "We cannot go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are" (Numbers 13:31). Those who do not have faith only see reality as bigger. Those who do not have faith easily abandon God's promises as if they were devoted partners.
Following the guidance of Moses, Israel, moving toward God's promised Canaan, saw the Egyptian army following them. In front of them is the Red Sea, and behind them is the pursuit of the Egyptian army. When they are in a state where they cannot escape, they are very afraid and cry out to the Lord, and immediately they begin to complain to Moses, saying, "Have you brought us to death in this wilderness because there are no burial places in Egypt?" At this time, Moses boldly said to the people, "Do not be afraid, for the LORD will fight for you, and you must remain still.
Those who do not have faith thought that they could see only the visible things in reality, but the characteristic is that they cannot see the promises of God or the presence of God that appears after the events. To the servant who was trembling with the fear of death before the army of Syria, Elisha said, "Do not be afraid" (verse 16).
3. Elisha's Boldness
Elisha did not tell the fearful servant not to be afraid simply as a trick to calm his mind. Already Elisha saw the army of God through his spirit eyes. Verse 16 says, “They answered, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Elisha saw God's army more than the Syrian army. Those who can see the wonderful power of God with the eyes of faith can live boldly with the power of God who is with him anytime and anywhere. The courage of those who trust in God! This is what Elisha had of faith.
Elisha prayed for the fearful servant. Verse 17 says, “And he prayed and said, “O Lord, I pray that he may open his eyes so that he may see.” And the Lord opened the servant's eyes, and he saw that the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. When I opened my spiritual eyes from my physical eyes, I could see fire horses and fire chariots. It was to see the army of God protecting the saints.
Dear saints!
The world we live in is a world full of fear. This fear is no exception to the saints. But how we deal with that fear will depend on our beliefs. We must believe that the events of fear that come to the saints are not meant to destroy us, but to reveal the existence of God through those difficult events.
A great fear like Goliath can come into our lives. Events of fear may come that surround us like the Arameans. In this crisis, we must have the eyes of faith and see God's hand working to achieve good by going beyond reality and working together behind the scenes. Only those who know this have true peace in their hearts and only victory is guaranteed.