THOSE WHO ARE WITH US ARE MORE THAN THOSE WHO ARE WITH OUR ENEMY
2 KINGS 6: 8 Now the king of Aram (Syrian) was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, “I will set up my camp in such and such a place.” 9 The man of God (Elisha) sent word to the king of Israel: “Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there.” 10 So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places. 11 This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, “Tell me! Which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?” 12 “None of us, my lord the king,” said one of his officers, “but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.” 13 “Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.” 14 Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city. 15 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 no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. 16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that 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. 18 As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike this army with blindness.” So God struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.
INTRO: THOSE WHO ARE WITH US ARE MORE THAN THOSE WHO ARE WITH THEM.
We Welcome You All Tonight To This Crossing Over Into 2019. Illustration: The 1st War Against Iraq & Saddam Hussein Sometimes Codenamed “Operation Desert Shield, Persian Gulf War, 1st Gulf War, Kuwait War, 1st Iraq War” came about because Iraq invaded and occupied Kuwait in August 1990. It was met with international condemnation and in January of 1991 lead to a counter-attack by America (under Pres. George H. W. Bush) and 35 allied nations in defense of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. The 2nd Iraq War Codenamed “Operation Iraqi Freedom” was launched by America against Iraq in March of 2003 under 2nd Pres. George W. Bush because it was believed that Iraq had Weapons of Mass Destruction. It was 21 days of major combat operations with combined troops from America, England, Australia & Poland. The interesting note here is that Saddam Hussein threatened that if America attacked Iraq, it would be the “Mother Of All Battles.”
But Saddam Hussein Was Wrong. A Scripture that describes the "Mother of All Battles" is Ephesians 6:12: "For our struggle is not against flesh & blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world & against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This is everyone’s battle – for our very soul. As we leave 2018 to enter into 2019, Satan’s warfare against us will intensify, not cease. The devil & his demons move with and await us in 2019.
1. John 10:10: The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
2. 1 Peter 5:8-9: Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.
3. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5: For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ."
4. James 4:7: Submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
5. 1 John 4:4: You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater…
6. Isaiah 54:17 No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their vindication is from Me," declares the Lord."
7. Zechariah 4:6: Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' says the Lord of hosts.
8. Luke 10:19: Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you.
9. Deuteronomy 28:7: The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before you. They shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.
10. 1 John 3:8: …the reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.
11. Psalm 44:5 Through You we will push back our adversaries, through Your name we will trample down those who rise up against us.
12. Matthew 18:18: Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
As We Enter 2019, Let Us Revisit Another War In The Middle East as recorded in 2 Kings 6. In that account we see God’s invisible army working miraculously to overcome the enemy on our behalf. Most importantly, let’s see that (2 Kings 6:16) "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them".
CONTRASTS BETWEEN ELIJAH & ELISHA
Elijah & Elisha are two different persons. Elijah Anoints Elisha To Be His Replacement. 1 Kings 19: Elisha is found plowing with 12 yokes of oxen. He is from a balanced family, not a recluse (loner) like Elijah. Elisha is relational. When called into ministry, he wants to kiss his family goodbye. From very wealthy family. He is not coming to Elijah to get material things. He wants anointing only - the spirit of intercession & multiplication. He wanted to transform the thought process of the people of Israel on how to be successful without depending on Jezebel. Everyone depended on Jezebel to succeed. Elisha will be different. He tells us that God is enough. Elijah Faces 1 Famine. Elisha Faces 3 Famines. Elijah does 16 miracles and Elisha does 32 depending on what you count. Elisha’s last miracle in Israel came after his death 2 Kings 13 - Moabites invaded Israel. Buried a man in Elisha’s grave. Dead came to life and stood on his feet.
ABOUT THE PASSAGE 2 KINGS 6: HOW GOD PROTECTED US IN 2018 INTO 2019.
We Read That Benhadad, King Of Syria, Was At War With Israel & Often sent his army to attack towns along the Israeli border. But Israel had an early warning system in the person of Elisha, a prophet of God. God revealed to Elisha everything Benhadad planned to do in his war against Israel. Then Elisha would warn Jehoram, the king of Israel, "Send reinforcements there." Or, "Avoid that place because the Syrians are plotting an ambush there." This happened so often that it nearly drove Benhadad crazy. He called a special meeting of his military council & demanded, "Will you not tell me which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?" One soldier told him: "None of us, my Lord the king. ...but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom." Benhadad is enraged. He puts Elisha on a "hit" list & ordered his men: "Find him. I don't care how you find him, but when you find him, get him!" A spy later reports that Elisha is staying in Dothan about 9 miles north of Samaria, Israel’s capital. Let’s Begin From There…
SOME THINGS TO LOOK AT AS WE ENTER 2019
1. The Overwhelming Army
Observe The Overwhelming Army, “Special Ops Troop” Sent To Get Elisha in 2 Kings 6:14: “Benhadad sent horses & chariots & a strong force there. They went by night & surrounded the city" just to capture one man. The devil will spend anything to get one soul. Just as angels in Heaven rejoice when one soul comes to repentance, the devil will do anything to get you. The Amplified Bible says that Benhadad sent a "great army" to Dothan. Things looked very bad for the prophet Elisha.
At Times Things Look Rather Bad For You, For Me, For The Church. It seems like we will not get out of this one. We're surrounded by haters, drug dealers, gossipers, liars, negative people, under-minders, Satan’s threats, disappointments, frustrations, etc. We're surrounded by atheists & humanists who do not believe in the God we serve. We're surrounded by weak-minded senators & congressmen. Paul felt this way in 2 Cor. 4:8: "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."
The ‘Great Host’ Sent To Capture Elisha Shows The Terror Which He Had Inspired, and the importance attached to getting possession of him. When people hate you, they get stupid. The king should have known that the same man who knew what was going on in his bedroom would also know he was sending a troop to capture him. How can you send chariots and horses against a man who has Heaven to back him? Dothan lay on an isolated hill in a wide plain, and could easily be surrounded.
The People In Dothan Were Asleep. Some people have no idea what is happening. The devil can be taking things from under their noses and they are blind. But God would surround the enemy. You May Be Outnumbered, But If You Count God & His Army, You Are In The Majority. Without God we cannot win. With God we cannot lose. One man plus God makes a majority.
2. Heaven Is On Surveillance For You.
God Opened The Eyes Of The Man Of God To See Inside The Camp Of The Enemy’s Plans. Your God is on surveillance for you. God set an ambush around their ambush. You know, the Holy Spirit can warn us of approaching dangers too, if we stay in communion with God! Psalm 34:7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. In 2 Kings 19:35: One angel killed 185,000 Assyrian soldiers. In this, a whole hillside is covered – the prophet is surrounded by angels.
Jehoram, Israel’s king, was a stubborn and sinful king. Strange he would listen to the Elisha’s Warnings Of Invasion, but not his warnings about the danger of his sin! Be careful you don’t pick and choose which parts of the Word you obey! At a Cabinet meeting, the King of Aram asked, "...which of you is for the King of Israel? Shocking revelation: Elisha "tells the King of Israel what you speak in your bedroom." Today they have Modern technology that is very intrusive - drones fly around our houses; satellites photograph us; Google Street View takes street-side shots of everything and puts it on the internet! But God does better. He listens in on your enemies and their plots.
3. When The Enemy Attacks You, He Has Overstepped His Boundaries – He Has Crossed The Red Line. You Mess With God’s People, You Mess With Yourself.
a) 2 Kings 6:14 Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.
b) Romans 8:31 “…If God is for us, who can be against us?”
c) Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.
d) 2 Corinthians 10:4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.
Some People Are So Familiar With Us That They Don’t Respect Us. They think they can kick you around. They don’t realize that God has said: “Touch not my anointed…” God told Jehoshaphat in 2 Chronicles 20:15: This is what the Lord says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. He told Moses: Exodus 14:3: Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord. The Egyptians you see today, you will see them no more forever.
4. The Trembling Servant Of God With Closed Eyes.
Now We Can Take One Of Two Approaches To This Situation. We can either take the fearful approach of the servant or the positive approach of Elisha. 2 Kings 6:15-16 tells us "When the servant of the man of God got up & went out early the next morning, an army with horses & 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.'" Elisha was still asleep – no nightmare, jumping in his sleep, etc. God was in control. Psalm 127:2 In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat-- for he grants sleep to those he loves.
How Could That Possibly Be True? A Syrian army, overwhelming in size, was surrounding them. So for the sake of a trembling servant, Elisha prayed - 2 Kings 6:17 "O Lord, open his eyes so he may see." Now notice the answer to Elisha's prayer. The Knox Bible Version says: "The Lord opened the servant's eyes and clear sight came to him: all at once he saw the whole mountainside beset with flaming horses and chariots."
Proverbs 15:3 “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good” “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. 1 Corinthians 4:5 “The Lord will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men’s hearts.”
God Needs To Open Our Eyes Because The Enemy Comes In Many Disguises. Sometimes like an Angel of Light and sometimes in his ugly form. But no matter the form, the Lord knows him. Spiritual sight isn’t just about seeing angels. It’s about recognizing the enemy opposing us by temptations, subtle thoughts, inferiority complexes, depressions, difficult circumstances, etc. Elisha could have just told the servant everything would be alright. But Elisha wanted him to have a "first-hand" experience. God wants you too to have a personal experience of the supernatural. This vision caused the man to no longer be afraid of the besieging army.
5. We Have Invisible Protectors At Our Disposal.
We Serve A God Who Is All-Powerful! Many times the Enemy has tried to bring down the people of God, but God always frustrates his efforts. Those who have a great God frequently see God do spectacular things. Spiritual vision is important. Why? Because Spiritual Vision Can Determine: a. Your success or failure as a Christian; b. The scope of the work you'll do for the Lord; c. Whether you'll be a Giant in the land of Pygmies or a Pygmy in the land of Giants!
The Young Servant Of Elisha, Believed To Be Gehazi, had a host of angels & chariots of fire ready to help him, & he didn't even know it. Yet the Bible says that we have these same angels available to help us, too. Hebrews 1:14 "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" "O Lord, open our eyes" & help us see that angels are around us. That they do minister to us in our times of need. Whether it was the apostle Paul in a storm, or you walking alone into 2019, the Lord will minister to you. Psalms 34:7: "The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, & He delivers them." "Lord, open our eyes". Whether it is an angel standing before the father for little children, Lord open our eyes. Whether it is Daniel in the Lions’ Den or the 3 Hebrew Boys in the fiery flame, Lord open our eyes to see your protection. “Lord, Open Our Eyes" to the fact that angels may even destroy the enemies of God, whether it was Pharaoh's chariots in the Red Sea, or Haman and his cohorts in Persia. God still protects.
Illustration: We were at the Site of the 6-Day War in Israel at the Golan Heights where God brought a mist that cover the army of the invading forces and shielded Israel.
May God’s angel usher you into 2019. Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
6. God Can Open Eyes, And Close Them.
There Is More Than One Kind Of Blindness… There is one where you cannot see physically. There is another, that you cannot see what you do not wish to see. And there is another where you cannot see what God doesn’t wish for you to see. The soldiers are not the only ones to be blind in this story – the servant was before they were! God’s people can still be blind to his great power, and what he is really doing. 2 Kings 6:19 Elisha told them, "This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for." And he led them to Samaria. 2 Kings 6:20 After they entered the city, Elisha said, "Lord, open the eyes of these men so they can see." Then the Lord opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria. The watchmen on the Tower saw a force of this size coming way in advance, and saw Elisha leading them. The military was marshaled in a hurry. The military had them completely surrounded when they walked in. These men were shocked when they “woke up” and God allowed them to see where they were. God will lead your enemies in unfamiliar territories to protect you.
7. Look At This Courageous Man Of God Called Elisha.
Notice The Courageous Man Of God. 2 Kings 6:18: "As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord. 'Lord, strike these people with blindness.' So the Lord struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.'" The Lord did what Elisha asked Him to do. James 4:2: "You do not have, because you do not ask God." And the Lord is able to do "much more than we ask or think."
Here Is Where The Humorous Part Begins In This Bible Story. God closes the eyes of the entire army! And Elisha, the man they had come to capture, goes out & leads them to Samaria, the capitol of Israel. They trail behind him like sheep following the shepherd. Once they are inside the gates, Elisha prays a second time for their sight to be restored. And the first thing the Syrian soldiers see is the King of Israel. He is begging Elisha: "Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?" Elisha say: "'Do not kill them,' he answered. Set food & water before them so that they may eat & drink & then go back to their master.'" 2 Kings 6:23 Then Elisha prepared a great feast for them. The Septuagint Version says, "a great entertainment." "And after they had finished eating & drinking, he sent them away, & they returned to their master."
WE ARE AT WAR PEOPLE.
1. There Is An Enemy. His name is Satan or Lucifer. He is a difficult enemy in that you can’t see him. Even if you could, he masquerades as an Angel of Light, but he is a liar and the father of all lies. He comes but to steal kill and destroy.
2. There Is A Battle. It is waiting for you to enter in. You have a choice. You can fight the battle before the enemy brings it to you or you can wait till it comes to you. You can pull down his strongholds right now by praying.
3. There Is A Battlefield. It is your mind. Your enemy will attack you and try to convince you of things that are not true. You are called to renew your mind and not to be conformed to the patterns of this world (Satan’s stronghold). You have the mind of Christ!
4. There Is A Victory. It is a certain victory, but it is not for those who become weary in the fight and turn tail and run. Jesus spoke in Revelation 2:26: To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations.
Let’s Enter Into The Battle Today. Let’s strike the enemy. He has already been dealt a deathblow when Jesus rose from the dead. It is time to take control and stem the tide of the enemy’s advance. It’s time to stand in the power of God, on the Word of God, in the might of the Holy Spirit, in the Name of Jesus and be a part of the greatest army ever established. Are you ready to do that? Everybody Repeat: We’re not going to let him steal our families. We’re not going to let him affect our health. We’re not going to let him control our finances. Satan, you can’t have our schools. You can’t have our government. You can’t have our church.
NOTE OF CAUTION FROM GOD BEFORE ISRAEL WENT OUT TO WAR.
Deuteronomy 20 1 “When you go out to battle against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up from the land of Egypt. 2 So it shall be, when you are on the verge of battle, that the priest shall approach and speak to the people. 3 And he shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid, and do not tremble or be terrified because of them; 4 for the Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you.’
INTERCESSORY PRAYERS: ELISHA’S WEAPONS IN DEALING WITH ENEMY - 2019
1. Prayer: First Step In Dealing With The Enemy. Elisha did. There is more going on than just what we see. There are chariots of fire doing battle in the spiritual realm. 21-Day Fast & Prayer.
2. Faith: Second Step In Dealing With The Enemy. God reigns and is in control. Elisha utilized faith. The servant utilized sight. The just shall live by faith.
3. Obedience: Third Step Is Obedience. He that hears my Word and does it is like the one who builds his house on the rock and not on the sand. In 2019, build on the rock.
INTERCESSARY PRAYERS FOR 2019: CALL UP PRAISE TEAM
1. Father, I thank you for ushering me into 2019. Thank you for the favor on my life.
2. in 2019, may your Fire from on high fall upon me afresh, in the name of Jesus.
3. Lord, in 2019, arise in your power and restore your original image in me in Jesus name.
4. Lord sanctify me inside and outside completely in the name of Jesus.
5. Every altar of anti-progress in 2018, I come against you in 2019 in Jesus’ name.
6. Holy Ghost, empower me to arise and battles against every altar, in Jesus name.
7. Blood of Jesus save me from sin of my forefathers, in the name of Jesus.
8. Every altar of anti-prosperity, I destroy you by the Power of that is in the Name of Jesus.
9. Every altar of shame provoking afflictions and poverty in my life, I pull you down in Jesus name.
10. Every altar of sudden death waiting to shorten, I rebuke you in Jesus name.
11. Any obstacle, barrier, difficulty, challenge, problem and mountain of this year must not crossover with me into 2019 in the name of Jesus.
12. Whatever that delayed my destiny in 2018 will not hold me captive in 2019 in Jesus’ Name.
13. In 2019, my God shall arise and my glory shall shine, in Jesus name.
14. I decree that as the children of Israelites crossed over to their Promised Land, I will cross over into the 2019 with glory in the name of Jesus.
15. Any power that says I will not move forward this new year, everlasting confusion will be their portion in the name of Jesus.
16. My Father, arise and pursue all my pursuers that do not want me to cross over peacefully in the name of Jesus.
17. Listen to me Satan, because of the blood of Jesus, you have no more power over me, no more place in me, in the name of Jesus.
18. My new year shall be far and more better than last year, in the name of Jesus.
19. In the name of Jesus, I pursue, overtake and recover all, in the name of Jesus.
20. Lord I commit, submit, dedicate, relegate my life and that of my family and connections to you for total protection and control in Jesus’ Name.
21. This year, I shall live out my true identity and move ever closer to my destiny in Jesus’ Name.
