#140: More in Position
So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then 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.
II Kings 6:16-17 NKJV
In December 1862, the Army of Virginia was arrayed on high ground behind stone walls outside of Fredericksburg, Virginia. Marching against them was the Army of the Potomac, nearly double their size, with many artillery batteries and machines of war at their disposal. The Army of the Potomac was more in number and more in power than the Army of Virginia. It should have been a significant Northern victory that would have led to a quick end to the war. Instead, the Army of Virginia on the high and protected ground, held off the Army of the Potomac in one of the most lopsided battles in Civil War history. Power and numbers are extremely important but if the position is weak, the mighty and powerful army can be defeated.
Is it possible that the Christian and the Church are like the Army of the Potomac at Fredericksburg – more in number and more in power but weaker in position and therefore prone to defeat at any moment? We can look around and see great fractures among evangelicals. Many different denominations exist and through division more will likely come about. In number, there may be more churches in the world than ever before in history but how many of them are even open for public worship and prayer? Christian martyrs of old used to boldly confess that “To live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21) as they visited the sick and dying and stood boldly for the glorious name of Jesus Christ even as war, plague, and persecution were all around them. Where is such zeal for the Lord today? Will the weaker enemy be successful in combining their forces and overwhelming the Christian and the Church who is more in number and power?
As we look around us the enemy seems to be concentrating all her strength against the Church. With little concern, discussion, or opposition, churches around the world have locked their doors for nearly a year. Rather than hold to God’s Word, “Come before his presence with singing,” (Psalm 100:2) many churches have exchanged it for the government’s word to refrain from singing. Living in great fear, the Christian church, greater in number and power than those against us, is acting as if its position is one of weakness and futility. Is our position weak?
Back in Dothan, Elisha comforted his servant by telling him that there were more in number and power with them than those against them. When Elisha prayed for the eyes of his servant to be opened the Lord revealed the horses and chariots of fire on the mountains all around Elisha.
Consider the military positions in verses 15-17. Elisha and his servant were in Dothan. Surrounding the city were the Syrians. But surrounding the Syrians were the armies of the Lord of hosts. The encircling enemy was itself encircled by the Lord’s army. Ruled by fear, the servant saw only the immediate danger. With eyes opened by the Lord, he saw with Elisha that his enemy was on the brink of utter ruin. God’s armies surrounded the Syrian armies.
The armies of the Lord were not in a defensive position. They were not inside Dothan with Elisha bracing for the attack. They were so large and so powerful they were outside Dothan, all around the city on the mountains and hills, preparing to overrun the Syrians. The horses and chariots of fire had the upper hand in numbers, power, and position.
The same is the case for the Christian and the Church. We may appear outmaneuvered, outnumbered, or overpowered. But the reality is far different. Those who are with us are more in position, power, and number than those who are with them. We cannot shrink back in fear when the battle is raging, for the Lord is at work and continues to have the victory. Let us boldly serve the king with all of our heart, soul, strength, and mind, for He is the conqueror, He is conquering, and in a little time, all of His enemies will be once and for all defeated and His Church will stand victorious. Those who are with us have a better position than those who are with them!
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