There Are More Of Us
“There are more of us than there are of them.” This phrase gets used a lot and it is almost exclusively used in times when people feel alone or in the minority only to find out that a huge crowd has gathered to support them. But this is another saying, like “go the extra mile,” that originates from Scripture and it does not refer to people.
“‘Go, find out where he is,’ the king ordered, ‘so I can send men and capture him.’ The report came back: “He is in Dothan.” Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.” (2 Kings 6:13-14)
The king of Aram was at war with Israel, but Elisha, God’s prophet at the time, continually warned the king of Israel of the Arameans’ positions. Israel was always prepared because of Elisha’s divine warnings. This made the king of Aram very mad, so he wanted to find out where Elisha was, and once he did he surrounded the city where Elisha was staying. This frightened some, but not Elisha.
“When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. ‘Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?’ the servant asked.” (2 Kings 6:15)
Elisha’s servant saw that the city was surrounded and assumed this was bad news. It would reasonably frighten anyone if they woke up to find their city surrounded. But not Elisha.
“‘Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’” (2 Kings 6:16)
How could Elisha be so calm? To whom was Elisha referring? Who were with them that out numbered the enemy? If this was a modern day story playing out in a movie, there would be a massive army of people from the city, rising up to fight the enemy. But Elisha was not referring to people.
“And 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)
Elisha could see the heavenly forces, God’s army, horses and chariots of fire surrounding the hillside—no wonder he wasn’t afraid! But Elisha didn’t call upon the Lord’s army to massacre the enemy; he asked the Lord for the opposite of what he just prayed for, for his servant.
“As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, ‘Strike this army with blindness.’ So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.” (2 Kings 6:18)
Just after God opened the eyes of Elisha’s servant, He closed the eyes of the enemy. Elisha was then able to lead them to Samaria where the king of Israel prepared a great feast for them.
“So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel’s territory.” (2 Kings 6:23)
There are more of us than there are of them and because of that, we can show grace and mercy. There is no bloody battle, no lives lost, just food and water given. Because of the mercy and kindness of the king of Israel, the enemy changed. That’s our story too: because of the mercy and kindness of the King, we don’t have to be enemies of Him any longer.
“For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.” (Romans 5:10)
Remember, there are more of us than there are of them. Never forget about heaven’s armies, that God is on your side and because of that we can show grace, mercy, and kindness.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
