It is critical that we are able to see the activity of God in and around us. One of my favorite examples is that of the prophet Elisha and his servant in 2 Kings 6. Elisha is being hunted by the king of Syria, who is at war with Israel because Elisha has a God-given ability to forewarn the Israelites about the Syrian army’s every move. Overnight a Syrian force has surrounded the city where Elisha and his servant are staying. It would seem there is no escape. Early in the morning the servant got up to make breakfast and he realized they were surrounded by a great army. Terrified, the servant cried out, “Alas, master, what shall we do?” But Elisha saw something much different than what the servant saw and his response was not fear, but confidence in God. He told his servant, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (6:16). Can you imagine what the servant thought: “We don’t stand a chance! This old man is crazy!” Why the big difference in perception? Elisha saw the activity of God, while the servant only saw the activity of men. God is actively at work around us…do you see it? If we learn to walk with Him and we are willing to surrender our lives to His activity, we’ll recognize His activity and live with confidence and hope. The battle rages all around us, as Paul said in Ephesians 6:12, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”
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