The alarm clock goes off. You walk to the kitchen to begin your normal morning routine and as you look out the window you see the hills surrounding your home filled with enemy horses and chariots. Might you be afraid?

This was the scene as the servant of the prophet Elisha woke up one morning. Surrounding the city of Dothan (the residence of Elisha) were the horses and chariots of the King of Aram. Apparently he didn’t appreciate Elisha helping the people of God defend against his advances, so he sent in a strong force of horses and chariots to kill him. “Don’t Be Afraid!” Elisha said as he also looked on the enemies forces. But Elisha knew and saw more than his servant. To the eye of the man of God was another army ready for battle. But it was not the Israelites. It was the heavenly host, angels equipped with chariots and horses of fire.

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.

¹⁶ “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

¹⁷ And Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes so he may see.” Then 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 6:15-17

God sends his angels to protect and defend his people. Don’t Be Afraid! Most of us are not facing enemies that are equipped for war. Yet many people wake up with fears that seem unconquerable. Some face the fears of simply taking on another day because of pain or depression. Some face enemies who seem to be out to get them. Some feel as if the forces of evil in this world are just too overwhelming. Some are just fighting for another day of God’s grace on this earth. And with all these and more, when we don’t see anything but the enemy, we cry out, “Oh, my lord, what shall we do?” And the answer comes from the Word of our Lord, “Don’t Be Afraid!” You have the promise of the Lord who saved you through his suffering and death and said, “I will not leave you or forsake you.” But you also can be sure as Elisha said, “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” The Lord’s army of angels, the heavenly host, encamp around his people and defend and deliver them.

The fears of this world can be overwhelming for all of us. As Elisha prayed for his servant, pray that the Lord open your eyes to the forces unseen. Pray that the Lord remind you that you are never alone in this world. God and his angels are always at work to keep his people from all harm and bring you safely to heaven. How can we see all that God is doing for us? How do we see the unseen force of God’s providence, strength and deliverance? Open his Word, The Lord has his defenses for you all drawn out.

“Don’t be afraid, Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

Keep Christ First! 

Pastor Chris Christenson