“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, my lord, what shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 2 Kings 6:15-16

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by your circumstances? That there is no way out? That the odds are against you and there’s no way you can win? It’s easy to feel this way, isn’t it? Though we trust God, it’s easy to be anxious, especially when we forget that in all things God is sovereign. He really does have the whole world in his hands.

Reread the above verses from 2 Kings 6. The next verse says, “And Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes so 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.” And the servant understood that he didn’t need to be afraid.

Hezekiah, king of Judah understood this too. When threatened by a much stronger nation, he encouraged the people with these words: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles. And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.” (2 Chronicles 32:7-8).

If we are faithfully following Jesus we do not need to fear regardless of the challenges we face. As one friend reminded me, “Safety is not in the absence of danger, it’s in the presence of the LORD.”