Sometimes in life, we can spiritually, mentally, or physically feel as if we are surrounded by evil. Just as Elisha found himself that morning when the king Aram's army had surrounded his city Dothan for the sole purpose of capturing him. We have two examples of a response. One spiritual and one worldly. Elisha's servant had an immediate response of panic and fear. The worldly example is so often what many of us can relate to.
When the wolf is at the door and you feel caught off guard. What is your immediate response? Fear? Worry? Panic?
Or is it of Elisha who looked beyond the situation and saw that even when the odds look unfavorable, our God is still in control and evil has nothing on God when God chooses to move against it. Elisha the man of God wasn't taken off guard as his closeness with God provided the steadfastness needed to respond without hesitation.
The Lord's army surrounded the army of Arash and immediately the army was struck with blindness. Miracles in battle are not just within scripture but during the American Revolutionary war, it was by no accident that the people felt the war had been won by divine intervention and Providence as the miracles shifted in favor of the Patriots quite often. For example,
During the early spring of 1776, with the British in control of Boston, Washington ordered cannons brought through the snow from Fort Ticonderoga (some 300 miles away) to fortify Dorchester Heights overlooking Boston harbor. Seeing the danger, British General Howe ordered an amphibious assault on the American position. However, the night before the assault was to begin, “a hurrycane or terrible storm… a southeaster of gale proportions” hit the Boston area and disrupted Howe’s plans, so he called off his attack on the American position due to “the badness of the weather.” As a result of the sudden storm and the strength of the American position commanding movement in and out of Boston harbor, General Howe ordered the British troops to evacuate Boston (see The Weather Factor, Ludlum, pp. 33–34). Washington again wrote to his brother, “this remarkable Interposition of Providence is for some wise purpose, I have not a doubt” (Miracles in American History, p. 41).
These moments are the very memories that even Benjamin Franklin could not ignore. During the Constitutional Convention of 1787. There was a harsh debate for 3 days on creating a new constitution to replace the failing Articles of Confederation. From May through September in a small building with no AC. Tempers were hot and it was Benjamin Franklin who stood up and said this portion below.
”In this situation of this Assembly, groping as it were in the dark to find political truth, and scarce able to distinguish it when presented to us, how has it happened, Sir, that we have not hitherto once thought of humbly applying to the Father of lights to illuminate our understandings?
In the beginning of the Contest with G. Britain, when we were sensible of danger we had daily prayer in this room for the divine protection. ”Our prayers, Sir, were heard, and they were graciously answered. All of us who were engaged in the struggle must have observed frequent instances of a Superintending providence in our favor. To that kind providence we owe this happy opportunity of consulting in peace on the means of establishing our future national felicity.
And have we now forgotten that powerful friend? I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth- that God governs in the affairs of men. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid?
We have been assured, Sir, in the sacred writings, that “except the Lord build the House they labour in vain that build it.” I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall succeed in this political building no better than the Builders of Babel: We shall be divided by our little partial local interests; our projects will be confounded, and we ourselves shall become a reproach and bye word down to future ages.
And what is worse, mankind may hereafter from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing Governments be Human Wisdom and leave it to chance, war and conquest.
I therefore beg leave to move, that henceforth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business, and that one or more of the Clergy of the City be requested to officiate in that service.”
If we are to face the wolf we must know where we stand and have full confidence in that we stand on truth and in God's favor. This is exactly what we saw when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego stood against the evil of their day.
Daniel 3:16-18 English Standard Version (ESV)
16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”
They knew what was right and wrong and didn't have to ponder the thought of obeying man rather than God. It was already decided in their heart. No man shall bow before another except for God Almighty. Even if God chose not to save them, they would have died doing what was right. Of course, God does save them and really shakes up ole Neb.
In these events, the people would look back and remember how God moved when the people of faith truly had their hearts and mind on God. We must do the same. Focus on how God has moved in our lives, our ancestor's history, and the promises of God as He will not forsake you.
Stand in confidence. The wolf isn't prepared for the God we serve.
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