Finding God's Presence ~ When Peace Stood Like a Sentinel

by Nan Jones   @NanJonesAuthor

King David often encouraged himself in the Lord. This morning I found myself doing the same thing. I felt anxious about some health concerns and an impending doctor's appointment. As I asked the Lord to settle my mind and stir His Spirit within me, I read through previous Morning Glory posts.

I came upon this one, written March 7, 2013. It's message of the awesomeness of our God rang true once more. Through the reminder of Elisha's faith the Lord strengthened me, opened my eyes to see, and bathed me in peace.

I pray it resonates with you too ...


Elisha's servant stretched in the soft morning light. He rubbed his eyes, grabbed his cloak and stepped out into the chilly dawn. In the distance a horse neighed. Then another. He heard the clank of metal and turned abruptly towards the sounds. His eyes bugged out at the sight. There on the mountainside hundreds of horses and chariots - a great army of the Syrian king - surrounded the city.

The servant raced to alert Elisha, "Master! Master! They've found you. The Syrians are here. They are mighty in number. Master! What shall we do?"

Elisha lay on his bed. He had been awake for some time, seeking God, entreating Him for the sake of Israel. Though impending danger stood on the horizon, peace stood like a sentinel upon his heart. So Elisha answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them."

The servant raised his eyebrows, scrunched his face and bit his tongue. He knew what he had seen. He knew they were surrounded by a great army. And he knew that, no matter what Elisha said, there were a lot more of them than there were of him and Elisha. This he knew. He might be a servant, but he was no dummy.

Elisha rose from his bed. He wrapped his arm around the young man's shoulder. "Come with me," Elisha said." Together, they walked out into the morning. Elisha prayed, "Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see."

Elisha touched the servant's cheek and gently turned his face toward the mountainside. "Behold," Elisha said. Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. ~ 2 Kings 6:8-17, Nan's Version

What are the crucial words here?  "Elisha prayed..."

We know he prayed at this moment, but we must assume that he had been in prayer long before the battle arrived. Like David, Elisha was a man after God's heart. He knew God well and he trusted in His sovereignty. 

When the battle came, peace stood like a sentinel over Elisha's heart.

In an exhortation to the Church at Phillipi, Paul said,

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let  your requests be made known to God; and the PEACE of God, which surpasses all understanding, will GUARD your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus" ~ Philippians 4:6,7

Guard. Phrourea (froo-reh-oh) meaning to keep; a military term picturing a sentry standing guard as protection against the enemy. (commentary, Spirit Filled Life Bible)

When everything is brought to God in prayer - in earnest, fully transferring the burden into God's hands kind of prayer AND with thanksgiving -  His peace will guard our hearts. 

Elisha stood strong, full of peace, in the face of his enemies.
 
We, too, have the right as children of God to stand strong, full of peace, in the face of our enemies knowing that the God of Angel Armies is by our side.

Lord, open our eyes to see.

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Tweetables to Encourage Others

Where is God when I'm afraid? @NanJonesAuthor offers a glimpse. (Click to Tweet)

Who is this God of Angel Armies? @NanJonesAuthor sees thru the eyes of Elisha. (Click to Tweet)



If you received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory page for an opportunity to declare your faith through a song of praise. I'm featuring Christ Tomlin singing, "God of Angel Armies". It sure to give you strength for the journey.