2 Kings 6:15-16
When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city.
“Oh, my lord, what shall we do?” the servant asked.
“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
It has been justly said, that a servant of God is immortal, until his work is done. He will indeed be exposed to many dangers; and probably to more, in proportion as his zeal is exercised in the service of his Lord; but the promise made to Jeremiah is fulfilled to every faithful champion, “They shall fight against you; but they shall not prevail against you.”
The prophet Elisha eminently experienced this blessed truth. He had been enabled by God on different occasions to reveal to the king of Israel the plans which the king of Syria had laid for his destruction. The king of Syria at first thought that his plans were all betrayed by some confidential servant of his own; but when he learned that they were revealed by God to the prophet Elisha, he determined to kill the prophet; and for that end he sent a large army to besiege the city wherein Elisha was. This was effected with such rapidity, that the city was encompassed before anyone suspected that an army was near; and Elisha’s servant, conceiving that the enmity of the king of Syria was chiefly directed against his master, was filled with despondency; taking for granted now that no possible method of escape for him remained.
But Elisha knew that God was his protector, and therefore bade his servant to dismiss his fears, assured that, while he had the Creator on his side, he need not feel the smallest anxiety, though the whole creation should be against him.
Now from this answer of Elisha we shall take occasion to show you the excellency and efficacy of faith in:
its discoveries,
its consolations,
its triumphs.
Let us consider,
I. The excellency and efficacy of faith in its discoveries.
The affrighted servant saw nothing but the invading army; but Elisha saw that there were invisible hosts of angels engaged in his defense; and he begged of God to open the servant’s eyes, that he might have visual demonstration of that fact, which he had beheld by faith.
Now this is the proper effect of faith—it discerns God as everywhere present to support his people by his providence and grace, Hebrews 11:27. Faith beholds myriads of angels also waiting upon God, and flying at his command to execute his will, and to minister to his people. The chariots of fire and horses of fire were not more visible to the eye of sense, when God withdrew from the servant’s face the veil that concealed them, than they were to Elisha by the eye of faith. If we could only conceive aright of Elisha’s views at that moment, we would have a perfect idea of the proper office of faith, and of the high privilege which belongs to every believer.
From the discoveries of faith we may judge of,
II. The excellency and efficacy of faith in its consolations.
The servant was full of fear and terror, “Alas, my master! what shall we do?” But Elisha was as composed as if no enemy had been near. Thus it is that faith uniformly operates.
However we are threatened by persecutors, faith keeps us tranquil, Psalm 3:6; Psalm 27:3 and 1 Peter 3:14-15.
However exposed we are to troubles of any kind, faith preserves us in a peaceful state, Isaiah 26:3.
How calm were Daniel and the three Hebrew youths, when threatened with the most cruel death! It assures us that though the waves and billows rise ever so high, there is at the helm a Pilot, who can guide our vessel in safety to the desired haven. The language of the heart on such occasions is, “If God is for me, then who can be against me?” Or, “Who is he who shall harm me, if I am a follower of that which is good?”
Those who in conflicts experience the consolations of faith, shall after their conflicts enjoy also,
III. The excellency and efficacy of faith in its triumphs.
While the servant was yielding to despair, the master was deriding the vain efforts of his enemies, and laughing them to scorn. In this light we must understand his address to them—it was not a solemn assertion, but a derisive banter; ‘You have come here to seek the prophet, but you are all under a mistake; come all of you with me; I will show you the man whom you are seeking after.’ Thus did he, alone and unarmed, lead captive, as it were, the armed hosts that came to apprehend him.
Innumerable are the instances in holy writ where faith has triumphed in like manner, even before the conflict has been begun! How gloriously did:
Moses exult over the Egyptians, Exodus 14:13-14;
David exult over Goliath, 1 Samuel 17:45-47;
Jehoshaphat exult over three confederate armies, 2 Chronicles 20:17; 2 Chronicles 20:20;
Hezekiah exult over the proud Sennacherib 2 Kings 19:21;
Paul exult over all the enemies of his salvation, Romans 8:34-39.
Thus it is our privilege also to “know in whom we have believed,” and to be assured that we shall be “more than conquerors through Him who loved us! In confirmation of this, see Isaiah 8:12-14; Isaiah 26:20.”
From this subject we may learn,
1. Our chief danger.
The agency of spiritual beings is here confirmed beyond all doubt; and, if holy angels are active in our preservation, we may be well assured that evil angels are active in seeking our destruction. The truth is, that we are more in danger from the agency of evil spirits than from all other causes whatever; because of their malice, their subtlety, and their power. Were our eyes opened as those of Elisha’s servant were, we would see ourselves surrounded with myriads of those malignant foes, all acting in concert with each other under Beelzebub their head, and combining their efforts to destroy us.
Let us remember how they are “working in all the children of disobedience,” and actually “leading the whole world captive at their will!”
Let us particularly call to mind also the power which Satan exerted over Judas, Ananias, and even the Apostle Peter himself.
et us, under a sense of our insufficiency to withstand him—cry mightily to God, “to arm us for the combat, to strengthen us with might, and to bruise him under our feet! Ephesians 6:10-18; Isaiah 41:10; Romans 16:20.”
2. Our great security.
Of ourselves we have no sufficiency for the smallest thing—all our sufficiency is of God! Let us beg of God then to “hold us up, that we may be safe.” Let our eyes be directed to him in every danger, temporal and spiritual! Let us “commit the keeping of our souls to him in well-doing.” Then, however numerous and powerful and deceitful our enemies may be, “we shall not be ashamed or confounded world without end.” He will not leave us in the hands of any enemy, but will “keep us by his power through faith unto everlasting salvation!”
Charles Simeon