FEAR NOT: Because God Is
Day 11Beyond What You Can See
Scripture
2 Kings 6:16–17 · · ESV
The king of Syria repeatedly planned attacks against Israel, but God revealed his plans to Elisha, who warned the king of Israel. Once the king discovered Elisha was in Dothan, he dispatched his army under the cover of darkness. Early the next morning, Elisha’s servant went outside and discovered that the city was surrounded.
Syrian horses. Chariots. A great army.
The servant cried out to Elisha, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”
Elisha looked at him.
“Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
The servant looked again at the army. He may have wondered, “More than those? Look at them! What could Elisha possibly mean?”
Elisha knew there was more than the servant could see. He prayed a simple prayer: “O lord, please open his eyes that he may see.”
And God did.
God did not remove the Syrian army.
He revealed a greater reality.
The servant saw the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. He saw that God’s presence and power were there all along.
The circumstances had not changed yet; the servant’s perception had. Before, he could not see a way out of their situation. But God was never trapped.
When the Syrians approached, Elisha prayed, and God struck them with blindness. Elisha then led them to Samaria. Then God opened their eyes to the realization that they were in Samaria. Now they were the ones surrounded!
What seemed obvious was never the whole story.
I’ve been there. I know the feeling of being completely surrounded by problems and seeing absolutely no way out. Illness. Family trouble. Whatever is standing on the hillside. I begin calculating the outcome using only what my eyes can see.
But perhaps faith is not pretending the army isn’t there.
The Syrian army was there. The servant saw correctly. He just did not see completely.
What I can see may be real, but it may not be the whole story.
FEAR NOT when what you see makes you feel outnumbered.
BECAUSE GOD IS present and powerful beyond what you can see.
Looking back, can you remember a time when God was caring for you in ways you didn’t recognize until later?
Prayer
Open my eyes. When I can only see what surrounds me, remind me that my limited sight does not limit Your presence or Your power. Quiet my fear. I may not see the whole picture, but I know You are my God. You have shown me Your love in Your Son, Jesus Christ, and in Him You have given me a hope that reaches beyond what I can see.
Amen.
Amelia