"How will we?"

"And he that ministered unto the man of God arose early, and went forth: and behold, an army surrounded the city, and horses, and chariots.

And his young man said to him, "Alas! My lord, how shall we do? And he said, Fear not; Because those who are with us are more in number than those who are with them. "Read 2 Kings 6. 8-23

Relationship of forces

The verses quoted relate one of the battles that Ben-Hadad, king of Syria and sworn enemy of Israel, persists in delivering against the people of God.

This time, his goal is to capture one man, Elisha. Ben-Hadad sends an imposing army deploying at night around the city. In the morning, the servant of Elisha sees the enemy army encircle the city. He's terrified!

"How will we?"

To the natural uneasiness of those who walk by sight, Elisha answers with the assurance of those who walk by faith: "Do not be afraid." Elisha having prayed to God to open the eyes of the servant, he then discerned not only the army of Ben-Hadad, but "those who are with them", that is, "the powers of wickedness"; They are much less numerous than "those who are with us," that is, "the angels, greater in strength and power" (Ephesians 6: 12;

This narrative illustrates practically the doctrinal exposition of the Apostle Paul concerning the struggle of the Christian who "is not against flesh and blood but against the principalities ... in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6: 10-20) .

Proof of this is the humiliating failure of the Syrian army captive in Samaria. Let us note the grace enjoyed by the Syrian soldiers: besides the life saved, they receive "bread and water", figures of the Lord Himself and of the Holy Spirit (Col. 2: 15; 37-39).

Let us be aware that the enemies of Christians are not men, but the "powers" who enslaved and used them to harm us.

And let us know, after the example of Elisha, to be gracious to these men and to proclaim Christ and his salvation (Jude 23).

Against these "powers" we have "the complete armor of God" (Ephesians 6: 10-17). It must have been clothed before the attack. And above all, we know and believe that Christ has stripped these powers, "triumphing over them in the cross" and "if God is for us, who will be against us?" (Col. 31)