The king of Aram kept setting traps to attack Israel, but God revealed each secret plan to Elisha, who passed it on to the king of Israel so that they escaped time after time. Furious, the king of Aram sent a great army by night and surrounded Dothan where Elisha lived. In the morning, Elisha's young servant opened the door and froze in terror. Gently Elisha said, "Do not be afraid — those who are with us are more than those who are with them." Elisha prayed, and God opened the servant's eyes, and he saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding Elisha. Then Elisha prayed again, and God struck the Aramean army with confused blindness. Elisha led them himself into the city of Samaria. Inside the city Elisha asked God to open their eyes, and the king of Israel wanted to strike them down — but Elisha said, "Do not strike them. Set bread and water before them." The army ate and drank and was sent home in peace, and the Aramean raiders no more came into the land of Israel.
The young servant saw only the Aramean army and was paralyzed by fear; Elisha saw the fiery horses and chariots that God had sent to protect them. God's protection is far greater than what our eyes can see — those who are with us are more than those who are with them. Let us learn to lean on God's keeping rather than judging by sight, and like Elisha to treat enemies with mercy and kindness, offering bread and water instead of the sword, so that love overcomes hatred.
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