Passion: The Bright Light Of Glory By Louie GiglioSample

Surrounded

When the messenger came to the prophet Elisha and informed him that the army of a rival king had surrounded the city where he was staying, Elisha gave a bold response. Elisha said, “Don’t be afraid, those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 2 Kings 6:16. How amazing to know that no matter what the circumstance, our God is sovereign over all and greater than all.

Notice that Elisha didn’t say, “Oh, man, there’s not an army out there. We’re not surrounded. There’s nothing to worry about.” He wasn’t in denial, and God doesn’t want you to be in denial either.

Instead, Elisha knew that he was in fact surrounded by the army of the King of Aram. But, Elisha was confident that the King’s army was surrounded by a superior force. I’m sure Elisha’s servant was more than a little perplexed, and Elisha’s faith didn’t go too far in making him feel secure. So Elisha prayed: “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” 2 Kings 6:17.

Once his eyes were opened, the servant saw the angel army on the hills, God’s army surrounding His prophet. Soon, God delivered Elisha from his attackers and sent them into confusion.

So what are you facing today? What is surrounding you? Whatever it is, don’t deny it. Yet, however big your challenge, don’t stop believing that God is bigger still.

You are loved by the God of the universe and you are secure in Christ. He is for you and His purposes will prevail. Nothing can separate you from His love.

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?”

Paul continues: “No, 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 8:31-39.