God is A Protector

2 Kings 6:8–23 (ESV)

8 Once when the king of Syria was warring against Israel, he took counsel with his servants, saying, “At such and such a place shall be my camp.” 9 But the man of God sent word to the king of Israel, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are going down there.” 10 And the king of Israel sent to the place about which the man of God told him. Thus he used to warn him, so that he saved himself there more than once or twice. 11 And the mind of the king of Syria was greatly troubled because of this thing, and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me who of us is for the king of Israel?” 12 And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.” 13 And he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and seize him.” It was told him, “Behold, he is in Dothan.” 14 So he sent there horses and chariots and a great army, and they came by night and surrounded the city. 15 When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16 He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 18 And when the Syrians came down against him, Elisha prayed to the Lord and said, “Please strike this people with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness in accordance with the prayer of Elisha. 19 And Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” And he led them to Samaria. 20 As soon as they entered Samaria, Elisha said, “O Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” So the Lord opened their eyes and they saw, and behold, they were in the midst of Samaria. 21 As soon as the king of Israel saw them, he said to Elisha, “My father, shall I strike them down? Shall I strike them down?” 22 He answered, “You shall not strike them down. Would you strike down those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master.” 23 So he prepared for them a great feast, and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the Syrians did not come again on raids into the land of Israel.

Introduction:

One of the significant details we must acknowledge about Elisha’s story is that the main premise declares God as the one true God. All idols and false gods were not real and could not do for Israel what the One true God could do.

Elisha always glorified God and ensured that those He encountered knew that God is real.

Even in the text we have today, we can recognize Elisha’s dependance upon God and shows the king of Samaria (Israel) that God is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. That is God is all powerful, God knows all, and God is everywhere.

You and I can be encouraged today to know that God, today, is the same God that Elisha served.

When our lives are facing challenges and those challenges seem insurmountable, we can trust God. When we face danger, harm, and fears we can rely on the divine protection of God. Today, our lesson will help us to see that God is a protector from every kind of hurt harm and danger in our lives.

DT: Children of God have the benefit of God’s unwavering protection from those who seek to harm them.

Transition: The first way we see God’s hand of protection shown in the text is. . .

God Navigates Us Away from Harm (vv.8-12)

8 Once when the king of Syria was warring against Israel, he took counsel with his servants, saying, “At such and such a place shall be my camp.” 9 But the man of God sent word to the king of Israel, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are going down there.” 10 And the king of Israel sent to the place about which the man of God told him. Thus he used to warn him, so that he saved himself there more than once or twice. 11 And the mind of the king of Syria was greatly troubled because of this thing, and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me who of us is for the king of Israel?” 12 And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.”

The king of Syria was certain that there was a spy in his realm. Every time he made plans to attack Samaria the moved in a different direction or setup camp elsewhere. One of his subject said, “Naw king that’s not it! There is a man named Elisha who tells the king of Israel what you talking about in your bedroom.

God sees and hears the plots and schemes of our enemies

God guides us around the traps

Application: Trusting God is being able to know that He will guide your steps. This does not mean we will never have obstacles and problems but it does mean that God will keep us and guide us away from our troubles.

Proverbs 3:5–7 “5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.”

Seek the direction of God in every moment and detail in your life. God already knows the way around the situation. He knows where the traps are laid. He has heard the schemes and the plans. Trust God to lead you away from it. Take your hands off of it and trust the power of God.

Transition: Secondly, the text demonstrates that. . .

God Guards Us from Harm (vv. 13-17)

13 And he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and seize him.” It was told him, “Behold, he is in Dothan.” 14 So he sent there horses and chariots and a great army, and they came by night and surrounded the city. 15 When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16 He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

The king of Syria has sent his army to seize Elisha. They have surrounded Elisha and Elisha’s servant is afraid. Elisha prays and his servant sees that God has an army surrounding the army of the king of Syria. look at verse 16, “16 He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

Application: There is nothing or no one bigger than God. God can control the outcome of every attack. God is undefeated!! See the good news for you and I is that God really does have angels assigned to help us and protect us. Psalm 91:11 “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.”

Did you see that? Do not live in fear of any one. Do not live in fear of anything. The truth is with God, you have more going for you than you have against you!

Transition: Lastly, the protection of God is accessible for each of us especially those who are His children. The text advises . . .

God Answers Our Prayers When We Face Harm (vv. 18-23)

18 And when the Syrians came down against him, Elisha prayed to the Lord and said, “Please strike this people with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness in accordance with the prayer of Elisha. 19 And Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” And he led them to Samaria. 20 As soon as they entered Samaria, Elisha said, “O Lord, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” So the Lord opened their eyes and they saw, and behold, they were in the midst of Samaria. 21 As soon as the king of Israel saw them, he said to Elisha, “My father, shall I strike them down? Shall I strike them down?” 22 He answered, “You shall not strike them down. Would you strike down those whom you have taken captive with your sword and with your bow? Set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master.” 23 So he prepared for them a great feast, and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the Syrians did not come again on raids into the land of Israel.

Notice that each time Elisha makes a move he prays. When he needs an answer from God he prays. When he needs God to open the eyes of his servant he prays. When he needs God to blind his enemies he prays. When he needs God to reopen their eyes he prays.

Every step of Elisha includes prayer. He is not attempting to do it on his own. He is consulting the Lord .

Application: Make prayer the center of your life. God answers those who seek Him.

The goal of prayer is the ear of God.

Charles Spurgeon

No man can do a great and enduring work for God who is not a man of prayer, and no man can be a man of prayer who does not give much time to praying.

Edward McKendree Bounds

You cannot do anything on your own. You need the Lord! You need God!

Conclusion

Today I want you to leave this place confident in what God can do in your life. I want you to feel secure that God has got your back. You are not alone and He is not busy.

Be not dismayed whate'er betide God will take care of you Beneath His wings of love abide God will take care of you

God will take care of you Through every day, o'er all the way He will take care of you God will take care of you

No matter what may be the test God will take care of you Lean, weary one, upon His breast God will take care of you

God will take care of you Through every day, o'er all the way He will take care of you God will take care of you

He will take care of you God will take care of yo