2 Kings 6:8-23

2 Kings 6:8-23

God is the Answer

I.                    God is the answer to every problem we face; so we must not panic when trouble shows up, we must pray to see Him clearly (Vv. 8-17)

a.       Aram was “warring” against Israel by sending out raiding bands of soldiers along the border to wreak havoc and spread fear among the Israelites. But every time the Aramean king decided on the time and place to carry out these raids, the Israelites were ready and waiting for him. The king naturally assumed he had a spy among his people, but he came to find out, it was the prophet Elisha, whom God was informing of the king’s plans, and who was then informing the Israelites. So the king decided to send his troops to kidnap the prophet, who God allowed to see every plan of the king and every movement of his troops? The plan seems senseless in context, but the Aramean king was completely and hopelessly blind to a reality outside of his own power and strength. So his troops arrived in Dothan at night, and surrounded the city. The next morning when Elisha’s attendant saw the Aramean army, he panicked, and ran to Elisha for help. But Elisha told his servant not be afraid, because the numbers were actually in their favor. Then he prayed for God to open the servant’s eyes so he could see, and he saw that the whole mountain was full of the angelic host on horses and in chariots of fire. Both men were surrounded by the same circumstances. But only one had prepared his heart beforehand for difficulty and fear by seeking the wisdom to see the reality of the omniscient, omnipotent, and omni-present God who faithfully and powerfully sustains those who serve Him. In the eyes of Elisha’s servant, everything had changed, and he had no idea what would happen next. But the angelic forces were there the whole time, and God was in control he whole time, whether he could see it or not. The difference in panicking in fear and walking in peace is communing with God consistently in prayer and His Word, asking to understand who He is more deeply, and asking to see Him and what He’s doing more clearly.    (Vv. 8-17; Deut. 20:3-4; Ps. 27:3; 33:10; 34:7; 56:3-4; 68:17; 91:11; 94:11; 121:4; 125:2; 138:8; 139:1-12; Prov. 1:20-33; 14:26-27; 15:3, 29; Isa. 12:2; Jer. 17:10; Matt. 10:28-31; 26:53; 28:20; Rom. 8:31-39; 2 Cor. 4:3-4, 16-18; 5:7; Eph. 1:18-21; 6:10-18; Phil 1:6, 21; 4:6-7; Heb. 1:14; 11:1, 6, 27; 13:5b; Jas. 1:5-8; 1 John 4:4)

II.                 God is the answer to every problem we face; so we must not trust in our plan when trouble shows up, we must seek Him and trust in His plan (Vv. 18-23)

a.       As the Arameans descended on the two men, God responded to Elisha’s prayed to cloud the soldier’s ability to comprehend their surroundings. Then Elisha told them they were in the wrong place, and volunteered to help find who they’re looking for. Then he led the whole army to Samaria, and into the presence of the king of Israel, where Elisha prayed that God would enable them to comprehend their surroundings. The king’s desire was to kill the Arameans, but instead he asked Elisha what to do, and he called for them to be fed. The king then prepared a feast for them, satisfying their hunger, and sending them home. The sharing of the meal was to enter into a covenant with them, so after the soldiers return, their raids ceased. Only Elisha saw that this whole series of events was God’s plan for peace, because he communed with God in prayer, served God obediently, and faithfully prayed for the others involved to have the proper vision at the proper time, so that God’s plan would be executed. In this tumultuous season in our lives, we must seek to see clearly, and to obediently follow God’s plan. We must commune daily with God through prayer and His Word. We must seek to have clear eyes to see past the circumstances around us which produce fear and uncertainty, and see the reality God’s presence, God’s protection, and God’s provision. God’s plan for us, His plan for peace yesterday, today, and forever, is even more amazing than His plan for the temporary peace He brought between the Arameans and Israelites through Elisha. God is the answer to every problem we face, and He provides all His answers in Christ. God reveals Himself completely through His Son, and He speaks to us today through His Son and His Word. We must seek to serve Him and love others, and trust His plan for each of our lives. Living in fear and panic isn’t a viral problem, an economic problem, or an uncertainty problem, it’s a theological problem. When we believe what God says, believe what God has done through Christ, seek to see clearly in Him, live diligently for Him, and live obediently to His Word, we have no reason to fear anything or anyone. God is the answer to every problem we face!       (Vv. 18-23; Exod. 23:4-5; Ps. 33:11; 46:10-11; 146:8; Prov. 10:12; 16:9; 19:21; 20:24; 21:1; 25:21; Matt. 5:43-45; John 1:12-14, 18; 3:16; 14:27; 16:33; Rom. 12:16-21; Eph. 2:8-10; Gal. 5:22-23; Heb 1:1-3; Jas. 4:13-16; 1 John 5:1-5)