Frozen With Fear

“FROZEN WITH FEAR”

INTRODUCTION:

Romans 8:31 - "31What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"

2 Kings 6:8-23 - " 8Now the king of Syria was making war against Israel; and he consulted with his servants, saying, “My camp will be in such and such a place.” 9And the man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are coming down there.” 10Then the king of Israel sent someone to the place of which the man of God had told him. Thus he warned him, and he was watchful there, not just once or twice. 11Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was greatly troubled by this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me which of us is for the king of Israel?” 12And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.” 13So he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and get him.” And it was told him, saying, “Surely he is in Dothan.” 14Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. 15And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” 16So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 18So when the Syrians came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, and said, “Strike this people, I pray, with blindness.” And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. 19Now Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, nor is this the city. Follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” But he led them to Samaria. 20So it was, when they had come to Samaria, that Elisha said, “LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.” And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and there they were, inside Samaria! 21Now when the king of Israel saw them, he said to Elisha, “My father, shall I kill them? Shall I kill them?” 22But he answered, “You shall not kill them. Would you kill those whom you have taken captive with your sword and your bow? Set food and water before them, that they may eat and drink and go to their master.” 23Then he prepared a great feast for them; and after they ate and drank, he sent them away and they went to their master. So the bands of Syrian raiders came no more into the land of Israel."

BACKGROUND:

A. The "United" Kingdom Of Israel Stands No More;

1. It’s now the "divided" kingdom

2. Our text today deals with the Northern kingdom

3. The Northern kingdom has had nine kings since the split

4. Not one king has been a good king

5. Bible say’s they all did "...evil in the sight of God "

6. The king referred to in ours text is none other than King Jehoram

7. He’s the ninth king of Israel

B. In The Midst Of It All God Still Has A Shepherd Over His People;

1. He is none other than the prophet Elisha

2. Now Elisha is truly a man of God

3. He is a great man of God

4. His predecessor was ELIJAH

5. As a matter of fact - just 4 chapters back that we find Elijah caught up by God into Heaven and Elisha carrying on in Elijah’s stead – a powerful story in and of itself

C. It Is A Time When Israel Has Many Enemies;

1. Among them are the SYRIANS

2. The Syrians are a great power to be reckoned with

3. A great military force the which none can stand before

4. Another name for them would be the ASSYRIANS

5. Enough cannot be said about their great military power

D. The King Of The SYRIANS Is None Other Than BEN-HADAD;

1. BENHADAD is at best ungodly, ruthless and just all around a bad man to have as your enemy

2. His very name would strike terror into the hearts of men