Scripture Reference 2 Kings 6 : 13-17

 ¹³ “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.” ¹⁴ Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city. 

¹⁵ 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. ¹⁶ “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” ¹⁷ 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.

Now then, when the invading enemy found out about Elisha he sent men out to find him so that he could plan to capture him. This is also true of those today who persevere in walking by faith and relying on the leading, prompting and empowering of the Lord! The enemy marks such people for attack. He plans and he schemes as to how, when, and where he will strike his attack with the intent of finding us vulnerable and unprepared. 

However, the man of God was not to be so easily taken captive by the enemy’s schemes. Now hear this, both Elisha and his servant were in the house when the invaders surrounded it. Both were in the house, but each individual was characterized by an entirely different approach to the dilemma as well as perception of it. 

Elisha’s servant was almost paralyzed by fear when he awoke to the apparent entrapment! Elisha however, was in no way alarmed by the threat.  Why the discrepancy? How is it that two believers can have such entirely different reactions to the same concern? This is a reality that confronts each of us in our Christian faith! Elisha was unmoved because of his faith in God! Now don’t race past this point too quickly because it is precisely at this point that most of us fail. Elisha’s faith was far more comprehensive than just religious belief; after all even the demons of hell believe in God and that belief causes these minions of unrighteousness to shudder with fear, James 2:19! It is an incomprehensible fact that demons react with more depth in their belief in God than some Christians! Elisha’s faith was life to him! It took priority over anything and everything else.  The righteous surely do live by faith, Rom. 1:17, Gal. 3:11! Elisha’s faith prepared him for the unexpected attack! Faith is so much more than what we relegate it to in our modern age! Faith is not something we conjure up in a moment of testing. Genuine Faith is a natural outworking of an intimate relationship with God! Faith is not so much what we do as it is who were are in Christ Jesus! However, when the believer ignores that relationship, and is subsequently led by the flesh rather than by the Spirit of God that person is not living by faith nor is he or she living the faith! Faith or faithfulness is just one of the many fruits of the Spirit and faith is also a gift of the Spirit, such as faith that moves mountains however, in either case faith is directly proportionate to the individual’s reliance on and obedience to the leading and empowering of the Holy Spirit! Therefore if I claim to have faith yet do not abide in love I am nothing and my faith is worthless!  Those who live by faith are always prepared for the “surprise” attacks of the enemy! Those who live by faith do not focus on the crisis, their focus remains steadfast on the Christ!