Consider the moment when a Syrian king made private plans to overthrow Israel. Each time he issued a command, the armies of Israel countered with an alternate plan. It must have been frustrating for the Syrian generals to move an entire army only to return home without having fought. There were no wins or losses to point to their trouble. The scripture tells us that Elisha knew the plans of the enemy even though the king made those plans in secret. The king of Syria began to think that one of his own men was a traitor so he asked, “Who is for the King of Israel?” The answer came, “None my king. It’s that prophet in Dothan. He hears everything you say in your bedchamber.”
The next scene is somewhat puzzling to me as Syria journeys to capture the very man who knows their every move. The morning of that meeting pictured a frightened servant who saw the Syrian army advancing against them. He rushed to say as much to Elisha. The prophet’s next words entailed a proclamation and a prayer. Elisha said, “There are more that be with us than they which be with them.” Then Elisha prayed that God would open up the eyes of his servant so that he could see. The scripture says that the servant saw the mountain full of horses and chariots of fire. He saw the angelic army of the Lord of Hosts!
Sight can be so restrictive, especially when it comes to the things of God. The human nature takes confidence in what can be seen. However, the spiritual man takes confidence in what can be heard. In fact, the hearing of the Word produces a spiritual sight. What we see with our natural eyes often produces fear, inhibition, and doubt. Our natural sight betrays our true position in Jesus Christ. It is limited and misleading. Paul wrote that: Romans 10:17 “…faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Faith doesn’t come via the physical realm. It never has. Faith is the movement I make knowing that my natural vision cannot be trusted.
The servant of Elisha isn’t so far from any one of us. It just so happens that his words were recorded. Nevertheless, there is another word given and I offer it to whosoever will receive it: They that be with us are more than they which be with them! I pray that God will open your eyes. You are surrounded by the Heavenly host; full of fire and power!
Pastor Jeffrey Harpole
One response to “Faith by Hearing”
Yes, I hear you, if we want something from God, faith, knowledge, insight, healing, as you said last night, we must step forward in faith and God will meet us there. I can testify that it works. After overwhelming prodding from God, I step forward to be baptized. I have not earned such Grace, but God met me there. It instantly washed away all my doubts, fears, concerns, and guilt for leaving my church of over 20 years. As I come out of the water, I could hear your voice saying yes, yes, yes. I knew at that moment, God was saying, this is your Pastor, your Shepherd, your Covering, and a short time later, even your safety net. I don’t know what that last one means, but I except it. Like Elisha’s servant, I do not understand or see all that you can. But I can trust and follow in faith. I have been here a year, l kept asking God why is this taking so long, if I am where I am supposed to be. The answer was step forward in faith, quit sitting on the side of the pool waiting for someone to put you in, and get in the water. This was a great read in preparation for tonight’s prayer meeting. Fasting today to be in one mined and one spirit as we petition God for the church together.