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BY PASTOR BRANDON YOUNG
To perceive means to become aware or conscious of something, and the word protection means a person or thing that prevents someone or something from suffering harm or injury. It is time that we perceive the protection of God. It is easy to perceive the problems, issues, concerns, and troubles in our lives and not see the protection that exists every day. It is simple to see the natural things that surround us and overlook the spiritual realm.
In 2 Kings 6 we see the prophet Elisha surrounded by the Syrian army. Before this time, Elisha informed the King of Israel each time the Syrian army has tried to strike. The Israelites were always ready for battle each time the Syrian army came against them. The Lord told Elisha and he shared the information with the King of Israel to ensure the safety of God’s people. Elisha communed with God and that kept him steps ahead of the enemy. The King of Syria wanted Elisha dead, and he surrounded Elisha in an area called Dothan.
The scripture says in 2 Kings 6 verses 14-17, “Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about. And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?” The servant looked out and realized that he and Elisha were surrounded by a great host of soldiers. He immediately ran back to Elisha to ask what they should do. Instead of praying for God’s help and protection, Elisha prayed these words in verses 16-17, “And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” Elisha already knew the Lord was there and he asked God to open the eyes of his servant so he could see the presence of the Lord. The young servant’s eyes were opened, and he saw a mountain full of horses and chariots of fire round about them. The help that God sent was far greater than those that had initially surrounded them.
We don’t have to pray for God’s protection. We already have it as his children, and we ought to expect him to deliver us from all our fears and trouble. My son has never had to ask me for protection. I will do my best to ensure his safety. I am human and will fail him, but God never fails. He is always with us. God is not like the paramedics, fire department, or police. As wonderful and amazing as they are, once you call 911, you must wait for them to arrive in order to receive help. Help may be 5,10, or 15 minutes away. Elisha did not ask God to show up because he was already there. Do you realize today that the Lord is with you? He will always provide for his children. Paul said this to the church at Rome in Romans 8:31-32, “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” God gave his Son freely for our sins, so should we doubt him to do the small things in our lives?
I came across this story and analogy online while studying this past week. “In May of 1995, Randy Reid, a 34-year-old construction worker, was welding on top of a water tower outside Chicago. Reid unhooked his safety gear to reach for some pipes when a metal cage slipped and bumped the scaffolding he stood on. The scaffolding tipped, and Reid lost his balance. He fell 110 feet, landing face down on a pile of dirt, just missing rocks and construction debris. A fellow worker called 911. Paramedics arrived to find Reid awake, moving, and complaining of a sore back. So, they loaded him up on a backboard. Apparently, the fall didn’t break his sense of humor, because as they carried him to the ambulance, he said, “Don’t drop me.” Amazingly, Reid came away from the accident with just a bruised lung. It’s almost humorous the way we resemble that worker. We’re saved by God from a 110’ fall, but somehow we’re worried about 3-foot heights. The powerful God who saved us from sin and eternity in Hell will help us through the relatively small dangers we’re faced with this week. God wants you to perceive his protection rather than all the troubles and dangers that surround you!
(Brandon Young is pastor of Harmony Free Will Baptist Church, Hampton)