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Today we are going to look at Elisha and the invisible army. Elisha was a prophet. A prophet was a person in the Old Testament who had a special power to be able to tell the people what God wanted them to hear, especially about things that would happen in the future.

Elisha was also given the power to see certain things that others couldn’t. This is a very old story, but let’s look at what all this means for us today.

BIBLE READING

Summary

In the Bible story today we see that Aram and Israel were at war. The King of Israel was after Elisha because he thought he had spies watching him. Elisha always seemed to know the king's plans! But we know why!

So the king decided to get rid of Elisha and sent out many soldiers, horses and chariots to surround and capture him. But God told Elisha this was about to happen. Elisha’s servant was afraid though when he saw this massive army.

But God protected Elisha with an invisible army—a massive army of invisible angels. Elisha asked God to open the eyes of his servant so that he could see that God was taking care of them. When the servant looked he saw that there were many more angels than soldiers. And the servant knew that God was protecting them.

Let’s take a look at how the Bible tells this story:

The king of Aram shook his fist at his army officers. “I want to know who is telling the king of Israel all my secret plans!” he shouted. “Every time we go to attack Israel, their king knows about it!” One of the officers took a deep breath and spoke up. “It is not one of us, sir. The prophet Elisha tells the king of Israel everything you say, even the words you speak in your bedroom.” “Then find out where Elisha is!” the king shouted. The officers hurried to send spies to look for Elisha. Soon they knew where Elisha was. “Elisha is in the city of Dothan,” they told the king. “Go capture him!” the king commanded. “Go tonight, and surround the city.” Early the next morning Elisha’s servant walked down the street. He smiled—until he looked outside the city and saw the army from Aram. The servant’s heart pounded with fear. he turned around and ran back to the house. “Elisha, Elisha!” he cried. “The army of Aram has surrounded the city! What are we going to do?” “Don’t be afraid,” Elisha said. “Come with me.” The two men climbed up high so they could look over the city walls. many horses and chariots, and many, many soldiers surrounded the city. “Do not be afraid,” Elisha said again. “The army that is on our side is bigger than that army.” Then Elisha prayed, “Lord, open my servant’s eyes. Let him see.” The Lord did open the servant’s eyes. What an amazing sight! The hills were covered with horses and chariots of fire! God’s army of angels surrounded the enemy. As the enemy came toward the city, Elisha prayed again. “Strike these men with blindness,” he prayed. Immediately, the enemy soldiers could not see. They fell over one another. When the enemy soldiers told their king what had happened, he decided to stop attacking God’s people. 2 Kings 6:8-20, 23

This may be a children's video but it’s a great illustration of our story. Hope you like it.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

How do you think Elisha’s servant felt when he saw the angels?

Why do you think Elisha asked God to let his servant see the angels?

Do you believe that angels are all around you right now?

I think the greatest words in this story are this, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them” verse 16. Had I been Elisha’s servant, I would have been pretty afraid too. If I couldn’t see God’s army, I probably wouldn’t believe it was there. But Elisha said, no, those we can’t see are far greater than all those around us that we can see.

The truth is, God’s love and protection did not rely on the servant’s ability to see the army. God was with them whether the servant knew it or not.

If we belong to God, it doesn’t mean we will never have troubles or problems. In fact the Bible says that we battle with powers and principalities in this world that we cannot even see. But what we do know with certainty, is that we can trust Him to be with us all of our lives. Remember God is greater than anything this life can throw at us.

Listen to the words of this song. When it looks like the troubles of life surround us, look closer, because we are surrounded by Almighty God.

PRAYER

Lord,

We thank you that when we feel afraid we know that you surround us.

We know that like Elisha your mighty invisible army is with us and is stronger than all our fears.

Thank you for your protection and that you love us so much.

Help us to always trust you.  

Amen