|
About nine hundred years before Christ, Elisha warned
the king of Israel of the Arameans' plan to attack,
which enraged the king of Aram.
The Arameans' Plot To Kill Elisha
Realizing what had happened, the king of Aram called
his servants together and asked which of them was for
the king of Israel.
One of the king's servants said that Elisha, the prophet
in Israel, told the king of Israel his plan.
Then the king of Aram sent horses, chariots, and a
great army to take Elisha, surrounding the city at night.
The Lord's Army
The next morning, Elisha's attendant saw an army with
horses and chariots circling the city, and asked, "Alas,
my master! What shall we do" (2 Ki. 6:15)?
Elisha tells him not to fear, and prays that God would
open his eyes.
The Lord grants Elisha's request and opens the servant's
eyes, letting him see the mountain full of horses and
chariots of fire all around Elisha.
Today, Christians Are Fighting in the Lord's Army
Today, the Lord's army is still fighting.
As a matter of fact, we are fighting in His army.
- Every Christian is a soldier in the Lord's army
(Phil. 2:25; Ph'm. 2:1).
- We are fighting the good fight (1 Tim. 1:18; 6:12).
- We are fighting a spiritual battle against Satan,
his angels, his ministering servants, and demons (2
Cor. 11:15; 1 Tim. 4:1; Eph. 6:10-12; Rev. 12:9).
We also get a glimpse of the Lord's angelic army in
the New Testament.
John, in Revelation, foretells of the time when Jesus
would come with His army to destroy Rome for its persecution
of the saints (Rev. 19).
And Paul tells us of Jesus' coming at the end of time,
when angels will return with Him to deal out retribution
to those who do not know God, and do not obey the gospel
of Christ (2 Th. 1:8).
Then at the time of the judgment, Satan will be thrown
into the lake of fire and brimstone, and be tormented
day and night forever (Rev. 20:10).
As soldiers in the Lord's army, it's imperative that
we put on the whole armor of God and fight, standing
firm against the schemes of the devil, as we struggle
against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly
places.
- "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength
of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that
you will be able to stand firm against the schemes
of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh
and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers,
against the world forces of this darkness, against
the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly
places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God,
so that you will be able to resist in the evil day,
and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm
therefore, having girded your loins with truth,
and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
and having shod your feet with the preparation of
the gospel of peace; in addition to all, taking
up the shield of faith with which you will
be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the
evil one. And take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word
of God" (Eph. 6:10-17).
Do Not Fear
When the Lord opened the servant's eyes so he could
see the Lord's army, Elisha said, "Do not fear . . ."
(2 Ki. 6:16).
Though we can't see the Lord's army today, we know
it's working and active, accomplishing the Lord's will
among the nations of men.
And just like David, we know the battle belongs to
the Lord, and the victory is sure (1 Sam. 17:47).
So we do not fear men, but God alone (Matt. 10:28).
We valiantly run to the battle line and fight against
Satan and his ministers, as we proclaim the truth from
God's word.
More Are For Us Than Against Us
Elisha told his servant not to fear, and said, "for
those who are with us are more than those who are with
them" (2 Ki. 6:16).
The Lord's army vastly outnumbered the Arameans' army
in the days of Elisha, and it outnumbers all the armies
that rise up against the Lord today.
Though we are in the minority when only counting the
men and women who are for the Lord, we are in the majority
when adding all the heavenly hosts to that number.
We know the battle belongs to the Lord, and the victory
is sure. We know we are fighting with a great multitude,
and we're never fighting alone.
The Question
The question is not who will win the battle, or which
army is larger, but only whether we'll fight as a member
of the Lord's army or Satan's army.
Jesus says, "He who is not with Me is against Me;
and he who does not gather with Me scatters" (Matt.
12:30).
Whose army are you in?
|
