Seeing trouble from God’s perspective

You may not feel safe, but that doesn’t mean you’re in danger. You’re only in danger if God has left the room, and if you’re His child, He won’t do that.

“Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” Then Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire. (2 Kings 6:16-17)

When was the last time you were in trouble? I mean, real trouble. Trouble so bad you didn’t know how you were going to get out of it.

Those times have been few and far between in my life, thankfully. I’ve experienced them, sure, but usually they happened in the interior of Mexico or on horseback in the Guatemalan jungle. But that’s me. And I’ve never faced anything like what Elisha and his servant encountered in this Bible story in 2 Kings 6:8-23.

The full story is kind of entertaining, actually. The king of Aram kept having all his incursions into Israel waylaid. None of his attacks were working, because whatever plans he’d make, Elisha would know about. God would tell Elisha what the king of Aram was planning, and Elisha would tell the king of Israel. And the attack would fail.

So the king of Aram got it in his head that he’d go and smash this meddlesome little bald prophet (yes, Elisha was bald), and he was excessive about it. He sent a huge army to dispatch this one guy.

Poor Elisha’s servant, I think his name was Gehazi. He didn’t know what to do. He looked out the back porch doors and saw a giant enemy army with chariots and swords bearing down on them, and he freaked.

But what was Elisha doing? Well, Elisha was chilling. He wasn’t worried. And eventually we find out why, because God opens Gehazi’s eyes to see the angel army standing ready all around them. With God’s army in place, no human army could touch them.

I’m not sure where Christians get the idea that life will be trouble free once we choose to follow Jesus. The Bible never says that. Jesus Himself actually tells us to expect trouble—more than trouble, persecution and hatred simply because we follow Him.

Trouble is a constant, and if you are at all engaged in following Jesus intentionally I’d be willing to bet that you simply live from one season of trouble to the next.

But here’s what we need to discern about trouble: We aren’t facing it alone. No matter what trouble comes at you, God has angels in place to protect you, to help you, to keep you safe. You may not feel safe, but that doesn’t mean you’re in danger. You’re only in danger if God has left the room, and if you’re His child, He won’t do that.

So the next time trouble comes at you, remember Elisha. Remember Gehazi. Remember the angel army surrounding them. And don’t let the trouble you’re facing get you down. Ask God to open your eyes so that you can see your trouble from His perspective.

Your trouble isn’t too much for God.

Questions for Reflection

How often do you find yourself in trouble?

When was the last time God helped you get out of trouble?

What is something in your life right now that is too heavy for you to carry? Can you trust God to carry it for you?

Weekly Memory Verse

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