In the morning when the servant of Elisha awakes and goes out he sees the circumstances, his understanding is not as developed as Elisha’s. He sees they are surrounded by an impressive enemy army.
So what does this servant do? VS 15 Early in the morning a servant of the Holy Man got up and went out. Surprise! Horses and chariots surrounding the city! The young man exclaimed, "Oh, master! What shall we do?"
He does what anyone who lacks maturity in their walk with God is subject to do. He sees according to his soul and he is at a loss as to what to do as a result. The servant is in training and has not yet reached maturity in his development.
The man of God has been trained in something. He has been trained not to the specific situation, but to the God he is called to serve. Elisha knows his God.
Today we want a workbook on how to turn around economic storms, how to end trouble in your marriage, how to change rebellious children, how to never be sick, etc. We want formulas for success, and formulas for escape.
This story is not about a formula on how to escape in a situation where the enemy has you surrounded.
This story demonstrates two different types of people. One who trusts his God and knows Him intimately and one who is learning his way but because his knowledge of God is limited, his trust is limited.
So what does the man of God do for the panicked servant?
First, he admonishes him not to worry and assures him that they are not alone.
VS 16 He said, "Don’t worry about it—there are more on our side than on their side."
He is saying this to someone who can only see the circumstances. If I were to say to someone in a struggle that they need not worry but know that God is on their side I would be accused of being insensitive and uncaring. Most counseling today is only able to appease mans soul because it is more concerned with sympathy in the moment than helping someone see their God at work.
Finite suggestions lead to finite sources for help. Finite sources offer finite solutions. God is infinite, it only makes sense to look to Him.
About The Author
- Tim Atchley
- Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
- I currently serve as Senior Pastor of Harvest Church in Knoxville, Tn. I was sent out from Trinity Chapel of Knoxville in 1993 accompanied by my wife Sheila our four children Sarah, Hannah, Josiah & Isaac and a handful of bold, brave and committed believers determined to plant our first church. Pioneering is hard work but well worth the journey. That is why we desire to make disciples of Christ who will, like us, also embrace the call to plant churches.
