SCRIP-BITS

2 Chronicles 32:7.   Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him.
 
Oh Friends, the ole fella’s in a bit of a mess this morning. The flesh refused to let me get up, then when I finally did arise, it continued provoking me with allergic reactions and arthritic pain. But just as neither sleet, snow nor rain stops the mail from going out, likewise, piddling fleshly matters cannot stop God’s Word from being promoted. It can be late though. (smile) Now let’s see if I can write something sensible dealing with God’s Word. And why not, since it’s His Holy Spirit that’s leading and guiding me into all truth. And it seems that the Lord once again wants us to focus on developing courage and strength in His faithfulness, as our Bit so aptly declares. ‘Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him.’ And today we’ll focus on that time when the Syrians decided to come against Israel, but the prophet Elisha warned the king of Israel not to pass in certain places where the Syrians planned to camp. ‘And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there (he was watchful), not (just) once nor twice.’ (2 Kin.6:10) Yes Friends, God will always find ways to protect His faithful servants! Now seeing that the Israelites were always aware of the Syrians movements, the Syrian king could only suppose that there was a spy amongst them. But one of his servants informed him otherwise. ‘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.’ (2 Kin.6:12) Now how did that servant know about Elisha and his doings eh? I wouldn’t be surprised if the Lord placed that in his heart as a part of His ultimate plan. That also means my brethren, that we all have to be careful of what we say, for the Lord has ears and eyes all over. With that new info in hand, the Syrian king sent a large host to the city of Dothan, where Elisha was residing and surrounded it during the night. So when Elisha’s servant looked outside the next morning, the city was totally surrounded by the besieging forces of the Syrians. In fear, he turned to Elisha and asked what they were going to do? And I just adore Elisha’s answer. ”Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.’ (2 Kin.6:16) The same words that King Hezekiah spoke in our Bit. The same feeling of empowerment from the God of his fathers that Bruh David felt when he went out to fight Goliath. Oh my brethren, it’s that same feeling of empowerment that we will feel if and when we truly walk obedient to God’s will and faithfully call on Him when trouble befalls us. So, having told his servant not to fear because their army was bigger than the Syrian’s, Elisha prayed: ‘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.’ (2 Kin.6:17) Wow! What a mighty God we serve my people! Why can’t we truly accept this fact eh? I wish that plenty more of us would do so, and thus walk true to His Word, so that He can faithfully react the way He reacted in olden times. But unfortunately that calls for strong courage, belief and much faith, which too few of us seem to really have in these modern times. Anyway, after that, Elisha prayed for the Lord to smite the Syrian host with blindness, which He faithfully did. Then Elisha led the blinded Syrians into the midst of Samaria, where the Lord opened their eyes. Can you imagine their fearful reaction to suddenly finding themselves deep in enemy territory? And Friends, this is one of those times when the wise, wonderful and mysterious movements of our amazing God shines forth. The king of Israel asked Elisha if he should smite the scared Syrians? Now listen closely to Elisha’s answer my people. ‘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.’ (2 Kin.6:22) The Israelite king obeyed Elisha’s direction, prepared a huge feast for the Syrians, then sent them home. The result: ‘So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.’ (2 Kin.6:23) In our terminology Friends, they killed them with kindness. And as the scholars’ so rightly point out; ‘Elisha’s kindness to his enemies is like Jesus’ own injunctions in Matt.5:43-47.’ That’s where He advised us to LOVE our enemies and be kind to them. Oh my brethren, there’s not much more I can say to convince us that when we walk obediently with the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, He will direct our paths in peace and safety. So I’ll just have to hope and pray that our wonderful and merciful God will eventually get through to all those hearts of stone that exist in our fallen world, and LOVINGLY replace them with hearts of flesh, as He has promised. (Ezek.11:19, 36:26) In closing though, let’s listen to Bruh David, as he declares his total trust in the Lord. ‘As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me. Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with (against) me.’ (Ps.55:16-18) Yes Friends, when we fight our battle under the Lord’s banner, there are always more with us, than be with our enemies. For as Bruh Paul says in these immortal, true and wise words: What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?’ (Rom.8:31) And that’s the gospel truth mih people! Much LOVE!…and we shall walk with Him…and talk with Him…and He shall be our guide and protector…from this day till forever more…