Have you seen God’s Provision for You?
A little background is needed:
The king of Syria warred against the king of Israel. He would set up camp in places where the king of Israel would pass through. In this way he thought to destroy him and take over Israel.
But God had a prophet in Israel, called Elisha. He sent to the king of Israel a warning, many times, about such ambushes.
This frustrated the king of Syria, and at first he thought he was being betrayed by someone in his own court.
But a knowledgeable man in the king’s court told him:
2 Kings 6:12 “And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.”
So the king of Syria, a mighty warrior, with a mighty army; sought to lay hands on this man: Elisha, God’s prophet.
2 Kings 6:13-14 “And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him saying, Behold, he is at Dothan.
Therefore sent he thither horses and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and encompassed the city about.”
Now Elisha was just one man (though he had a servant with him); so sending this large company to get him, seemed like over-kill.
But it was not just meant to take Elisha, but also to scare him. To put him in awe of the might and power of the king of Syria.
Fear comes when we feel that we can not deal with a situation, ourselves.
Or can not get the right help from others, and there is nothing we can do about what is going on.
Then we become afraid.
But surrounded by this great and mighty army, Elisha was not afraid (although his servant was terrified).
2 Kings 6:15 “And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, a host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! How shall we do?”
The servant saw that they were surrounded; this surely was something to be afraid of!
Are not we often the same way?
But Elisha saw nothing to be afraid of; for he saw the provision of God for them.
2 Kings 6:16 “And he (Elisha) answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.”
They say: Seeing is believing.
For Elisha, he already “saw” by faith that the Syrian army that was around the city, was surrounded themselves, by God’s army….His provision for them.
The Syrian army was in more trouble then they were!
But the servant of Elisha needed a little more “sight”. He needed to get his eyes off the enemy, and onto the Lord’s army.
2 Kings 6:17 “Elisha prayed, and said, Lord I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses, and chariots of fire round about Elisha.”
With that much help around them, they could have walked right through the army, or had them destroyed. (That is the way I would have thought about it.)
But God’s ways of dealing with people are different than ours.
God’s help “came down”.
2 Kings 6:18-19 “And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the Lord, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness.
And He smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.
And Elisha said unto them, This is not the way, neither is this the city, follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek. But he led them to Samaria.”
Elisha, instead, prayed that the army of the Syrians would have a blindness. A blindness to where they were.
Then he led them to the city of Samaria, where Israel’s king and army had them completely surrounded.
2 Kings 6:20-21 “And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, Lord, opens the eyes of these men, that they may see.
And the Lord opened their eyes, and they saw; and behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.
And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite them? shall I smite them?”
Elisha told him, no. He told the king to feed them, and send them back to their king.
2 Kings 6:22-23. “And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master.
…So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.“
This saved Israel; for a while.
God’s provision for us is not always horses and chariots of fire.
Most of the time, He provides natural ways of deliverance.
But however He gives us His provision, we need to “see” it, and use it.
Elisha prayed, and sight was given to his servant.
We need to pray and ask God to give us sight, to see what He is, and will provide.
Are you in trouble? In distress? Or just afraid?
Look to Jesus, and seek His provision for you.
Whether simple, natural help is sent. Or heavenly help is sent. He will be found of all those who seek Him.
His answers are there.
Preaching, Teaching, and Notes 