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and ADVERSAR IES by DR. VANCE HAVNER with us are more than they that be with them.” We are reminded of the words of Hezekiah under similar circumstances: “ 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: with him is the arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles” (II Chron. 32:7, 8). Elisha’s servant looked around and beheld soldiers to the right of him, soldiers to the left of him, soldiers everywhere. Elisha looked up and saw angels to the right of him, angels to the left of him, angels everywhere, for the angel of the Lord encamped round about him that feared Him to deliver him. Elisha prayed for his servant, “Lord, I pray Thee, open his eyes, that he may see.” We read, “ 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.” There are two “beholds” in this account. First the servant looked and “be hold an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots.” The second time he looked and “be hold . . . horses and chariots of fire.” It is a matter of having one’s eyes opened whether we see the visible or the invisible host. 13
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“Fear not: for they that he with us are more than they that he with them” (II Kings 6:16). p r o p h e t E l i s h a was a good man to have ■ around. He was equal to any emergency. If the food was poisoned, he could make it fit to eat. He could sweeten bitter waters and recover lost axe-heads. If a widow happened to be in financial straits, he could put her in the oil business at a handsome profit. Mighty men like Naaman came to him with their troubles. Kings respected his counsel. If death struck, he could raise the dead. He was never at a loss as to what to do, be the issue trivial or tremendous. He was a thorn in the side to all the enemies of God and Israel. The King of Syria made war but all his military secrets leaked out. In despera tion, he summoned his servants to locate the spy who was informing the Israelites of his every move. He learned that Elisha was responsible so he sent chariots and horses and soldiers to capture the prophet who was spoiling all his plans. Elisha’s servant was alarmed one morning to find an army encamped on the premises. His cry is typically human: “Alas, my master! how shall we do?” But Elisha was not taken by surprise. Neither lost axe-heads not large armies could upset the equilibrium of the old seer who walked with God. His answer is classic: “ Fear not; for they that be A P R IL, 1968 t h e
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