Netherwood Park church of Christ -- Carman's Corner |
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| VOL. 32 | February 6, 2000 | NO. 6 |
| GOD IS IN CONTROL ! |
The King of Aram was at war with Israel. He entered into battle with the greatest of confidence because of the expertise of his army. However, his troops were losing each encounter because someone was telling Israel his battle plans. Time and again the king's efforts were thwarted because Israel knew his plans in advance. There must be a spy in the camp. The king was enraged!
Finally one of his officers informed him that their problem was not a spy in the camp but that the God of Israel was revealling their plans to Elisha, His prophet. "Find out where he is", said the King. "I want to capture him". When the report came back that Elisha was in Dothan, the king sent his mighty army to surround the city by night. One would think that Elisha was in serious trouble!
Early the next morning, the prophet's servant went outside and saw the forces of Aram surrounding the city of Dothan. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do? he asked. Elisha replied, "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." Elisha prayed, "O Lord, open his eyes so he may see." The servant's eyes were opened and he saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding Elisha, the man of God.
As the army of Arameans descended upon the city, the Lord struck them blind. Elisha led them into the city of Samaria and opened their eyes so they could see. The people of Israel wanted to kill their enemies, but instead were commanded to prepare a feast for the armies of Aram. After they finished eating and drinking, they returned to their homeland with meekness and fear. The bands of Aram stopped raiding Israel's territory. You can read about this in 2 Kings 6:1-23.
The lesson is clear. The battle was not going to be decided by the number of men in the army, the quality of their armament, nor by the strategy of the generals. God was the one in control. The victory was in His hands.
The pagan Aramean soldiers felt the sting of Jehovah's mighty power when they were struck blind. When their eyes were opened in the midst of Israel's stronghold, and their lives were spared, they were further impressed by the fact that God was in control. The wonder they must have felt as their enemies fed them a feast instead of striking them with the edge of the sword further persuaded them that a Divine being was sparing their lives. (See Rom 12:20-21)
Is it any wonder these men decided not to raid Israel anymore. They were convinced that God was in control -– and that He favored the Israelites over the Arameans.
In our age, Jesus is the one in charge. He, Himself, said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me," Matthew 28:19. Isn't it nice to know who is in charge? We should have no fear. No wonder the Hebrew writer wrote, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (Heb 13: 6).
The only thing that needs to be determined is, "Which side are we on?" If we are on the Lord's side, we can rest easy. He will bring us the victory!
"In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37-39
-- George Carman
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