First line of Defence

We have entered into 2009 with the threat of all-out war in the Middle East, more doom and gloom predicted for the world economy, the credit crunch still visibly with us, and any lines of defence we may have put in place are now shaky. Without doubt, this is no ordinary New Year! Such dreadful events rarely happen at the same time. So what should we as Christians do, and how should we plan ahead for 2009? What’s more, how do we protect ourselves and our families from the fear and hopelessness that’s being brandished about? As always, we must go to God’s word for the answers.

2 Kings 6:15,16,17 – 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.” 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.

Some background… The king of Syria was making war on Israel, and this seems to have been a sort of guerrilla warfare, carried on by predatory infiltration into different parts of the country. However, through prophetic insight Elisha informed King Jehoram of the secret purposes of the enemy; so, by adopting precautionary measures he was always able to anticipate and defeat their attacks.

The frequency of these disappointments led the Syrian king to suspect some of his servants of carrying on a treacherous correspondence with the enemy. But when pressured they told him about Elisha, and he was therefore determined to capture the prophet at all costs. This resolution was, of course, grounded on the belief that however great the knowledge or insight of Elisha might be, if seized and kept a prisoner, he could no longer give information to the king of Israel.

Hearing that the prophet was in Dothan, a city not far north of Samaria, the Syrian king sent a group of bandits to surround the city – by night. Then, after morning had come Elisha’s servant was terrified when he saw that an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. Note this was a new servant, who had only been with Elisha since Gehazi’s dismissal and consequently had little or no experience of his master’s powers. For this reason, his faith was easily shaken by this sudden threat. Anxious and afraid, he turns to Elisha and asks, “Oh master, what shall we do now?”

This is when the story gets really exciting! Firstly, Elisha consoles his servant by saying, “Don’t be afraid.” Then he makes an astonishing statement, “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” How did he know that? How could he be so sure? Quite simply, he had already seen something! He had already seen what he was about to pray that his servant should also see! Elisha had a vision of the invisible armies of God. The protective “hosts of heaven” sent by God to guard His people – horses and chariots of fire.

Here is the key… In order to believe the impossible one must first see the invisible. In order to dispel the young servant’s panic, his ‘vision’ had to be opened to see the invisible. Notice these two crucial words, “Elisha prayed.” Elisha did not ask God simply to show this young man another miracle; he asked for his servant to see into another dimension! This is our first line of defence in hard times or adverse circumstances. Before we can believe for the impossible we too must see through the ‘eyes of faith’. Looking into the invisible is the key to victorious praying – discerning spiritual issues from God’s perspective rather than our own.

In Jeremiah 33:3 the Lord says, “Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognise, have knowledge of or understand).” When we call on God He lets us see!

Elisha was able to pray the way he prayed only because he had already seen the horses and chariots of fire. You can do the same! Throughout this year you can choose to see through the ‘eyes of faith’ (gazing at the invisible). And every time you do – you will be able to believe for the impossible. Surrounding your situation right now is God’s angelic strike force. Ever ready to leap into action on your behalf! In your battle with the forces of darkness, you have total protection from an omnipotent Ally – God Almighty! He is always defending you and frustrating your enemies, and confusing all their destructive intentions. If God be for you - who can be against you!

Romans 1:20, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” Notice that God’s invisible attributes are in fact His eternal power and divine nature. Things that are clearly seen in His creation.

Hebrews 11:1-3 (Living Translation) reads, “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. Through their faith, the people in days of old earned a good reputation. By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.” The invisible realm is the source of everything that has been formed. Therefore, it should be the first thing we should desire to see. A vision of the eternal power and divine nature of God is where the victory is established. Then, as we pray in line with what we’ve already seen, our prayers become effectual and super-natural!

Every time you see the invisible you have the ability to believe for the impossible! Think about that… What impossibilities are facing you right now? What have you been told can never take place or come about? Who of you needs the miraculous power of God to invade your situation? Well – the invisible (what cannot be seen) has the answers. And like Elisha’s servant, when your eyes are opened you will believe the impossible. Why? Because with God ALL things are possible.

Chris Demetriou, 04/01/2009