In my devotional reading I have been working my way through 2 Kings.  2 Kings is not high on many people’s “must read” list, but I have always found it a fascinating book.  Elisha, the lesser-known prophet, is a prominent character, performing many miraculous works because of the double spirit of the Lord on him (2 Kings 2:9).  He has to live in Israel, which is a place hostile to prophets of God because of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel.

In 2 Kings 6, the King of Aram goes to war with the King of Israel, Ahab’s son Joram.  Joram is a good king, as kings of Israel go, because he has gotten rid of Baal worship in Israel.  He listens to Elisha and asks his advice.  When the King of Aram surrounds Samaria, the capital of Israel, Elisha tells the king not to worry.  Even though the city is surrounded by horses and chariots and a strong army, Elisha says, “Don’t be afraid.  Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (2 Kings 6:16).  The army of Aram is surrounded by a heavenly army so that the hills are full of horses and chariots of fire. The army of Aram is struck by blindness and Elisha leads them straight into Samaria.

Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.

Sometimes as Christians, we feel surrounded by a world at war.  We feel overwhelmed by the powers of darkness.  We wonder how we can ever be victorious or even stand strong against these odds.  We need to remember that we do not fight our battles alone.  When we seek the will of God, he stands with us and gives us his strength and power.  We may not be able to see them.  We may feel alone.  But those who are with us are more than those who are with them.

Psalm 34:7 says, “The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.”

We may feel defeated.  We may feel like hosts are encamped against us.  We may feel like the burden of the battle is too heavy to carry.  But the angel of the Lord encamps around us and that more than evens the odds – it means that we will ultimately be victorious.