I saw it coming but could do nothing about it. As the car veered toward us, my friend driving tried to steer us out of the way. It was a moment too late. The other vehicle made contact and ran us off the road.
The four of us in my car and the two in the other vehicle survived the ordeal without injury. I know this sounds crazy, but I pictured God’s angels there between us, softening the blow. We were all incredibly grateful as we sat in the grassy median, interstate traffic speeding past.
Reflecting on this reminds me of an instance in the Bible where God protected Elisha and his servant with an invisible army. Elisha was one of the most well-known prophets of Israel, serving in the northern kingdom. He had been anointed by Elijah, the prophet who skipped death when God suddenly picked him up in a chariot of fire and took him to heaven in a whirlwind.
Elisha had seen God do amazing things.
Maybe that’s why he appeared calm and confident when the Syrian army surrounded the city of Dothan.
Elisha’s servant, however, not so much.
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?” He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 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. 2 Kings 6: 15-17 (ESV)
Outnumbered
There really were more with them than those who were in that army. Instead of seeing a threat, this time Elisha’s servant saw the strength and the glory of God’s army. He saw that the army of the Lord outnumbered the Syrian threat. And I bet he was never the same again.
When the Syrians came against them, Elisha captured the army with a bold prayer and trust in his Lord. (See the rest of the chapter for the interesting details.)
Hundreds of years later, the apostle John reminds us of this same concept.
Of course, I don’t know all the behind-the-scenes activity going on as we drove home that night, but I can recognize God’s protection. I can trust the strength of God’s army and know that not only is God with me, but sometimes misfortune just might be the thing that God uses for a greater purpose. Maybe our accident even served as a wake-up call for the person who hit us.
Seen
I’m grateful that God protects and fights our battles even when we are completely unaware.
Remember these two things today.
- As Christians, the One who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world.
- Although we can’t always see it, God is by our side, and we can trust the strength of His army.
Today, I pray that God will open our eyes so we can see His glory, His protection and His good work in our lives.
