2 Kings 6:8-17

8 Now the king of Aram 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 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.

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Problems are real and God is able guide you past them

• The way we deal with difficulty is to find a distraction from it. God’s way is the opposite. Acknowledge that the enemy is great, but understand that God’s love is greater
• Both unbelievers and believers lack faith in God’s goodness. Unbelievers walk away from God and believers worry
• The proof of God is not that problems disappear, but that God has kept you surrounded
• The servant thought he was surrounded by the enemy but the enemy was surrounded by God

What God sees is more real than what we see

• We don’t walk by sight, we walk by faith (2 Cor 5:7). To be at peace we have to remember the unseen realm
• We can’t visibly see angels, God, what he’s up to, or his plan. But when it seems he’s absent, is when He’s doing the most. Joseph & Dothan
• What do you think of God vs what does God think of you?
• Problems of adoption: parents + God

We can trust God’s love for us

• Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3). You may feel you’re in the fire but the good news is you’re not in there by yourself. The 4th man is there with you
• The goal of a lecture is information, of motivational speech is inspiration, and of a sermon is that you leave worshiping and the way you worship is you see God
• People need to see God, which leaves pastors in a dilemma, because no preacher can create spiritual sight