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I used to ask God to show me himself.  He never did.  I can’t help but think my faith would be stronger if an army of angels appeared to me as they did to Elisha’s servant.

If you recall the story, you know it illustrates God’s existence in a parallel dimension. King, Ben-Haddad of Aram was engaged in a war with the godless King Ahab of Israel. After a series of military setbacks Ben-Haddad discovered Elisha knew his battle plans in advance and was passing them along to King Ahab. Seeking to kill the prophet, Ben-Haddad sent an army to Dothan, Elisha’s hometown.

That’s why when Elisha’s servant awoke and walked outside he saw an army of horsemen and chariots surrounding the city. Terrified, he asked his master, “What shall we do?” (2 Kings 6:15).  Not a bad question considering the hopelessness of the situation.

As cool as an icicle Elijah said, “Don’t be afraid.  Those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (2 Kings 6:16).

I don’t think the servant bought into the prophet’s conclusion. His twenty-twenty vision told him a massive army surrounded the two of them. He may have rubbed his eyes and looked again but the odds looked bad.

Sensing his servant’s fear, Elisha prayed, “O LORD, open his eyes so he may see” (2 Kings 6:17).

As quickly as the servant could do a double-take, God did a miracle. He allowed him to see into the spiritual dimension. The text says, “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” (2 Kings 6:17).

I wonder, did Elisha see the angels all along, or did he simply believe they were there?  In either case, he lived with an acute awareness of God’s presence. I believe if God “opened our eyes” so we could see into the parallel spiritual dimension, we would see the Lord at our side along with a host of his angels.

Such a statement rests on biblical revelation. Jesus himself promised, “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever” (John 14:16).  The author of Hebrews reminds us that God promised, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).  Elsewhere he asked, are not angels, “ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” (Hebrews 1:14).

The source of your spiritual power isn’t across the room, down the street, or on the other side of town. He is within you and beside you.  He is closer than your shadow. All you need do is cry out.  He’ll hear your call and release his power through you.

When your outnumbered remember the enemy doesn’t fear you, he fears your God. The moment you call on him, the evil one will flee and you’ll be energized.

The God who is present waits for you to trust in him, rather than yourself.

The warrior within you is awakened by the Lord of Hosts and energized by the God of creation.

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