…the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. – 2 Kings 6:17, KJV

How would you feel if you walked out of your home one morning, sipped on your coffee, wiped the sleep out of your eyes, and then noticed a small band of armed men surrounding your home with their guns pointed at you? I’d scream like a little girl, but no one would be able to hear my screams over the noise of my knocking knees! Perhaps with a little less drama, this is how the servant of Elisha reacted when, upon waking one morning, he discovered the Syrian army surrounding not only his and Elisha’s dwelling place, but the entire city. They were there for one reason – to seize Elisha and take him to the king of Syria.

I can just see the servant’s face full of terror! I can also see his terror transform into awe and wonder as, at the prayer of Elisha, God opened his eyes to witness a heavenly army filling the mountain. Outnumbering and outmuscling the feeble Syrian host, the presence of God’s army replaced the servant’s fear with confidence.

This world can be a fearful place. When faced with fearful circumstances, we need only remember that God is our protector. God fulfilled His role of protector in a dramatic way before the eyes of Elisha’s servant, and He does the same for us each day. Will we have the privilege of seeing God’s mighty host fill the mountain? Probably not. Will God always protect us in the manner we want to be protected? Again, probably not. But we can trust without a shadow of a doubt that God protects us in the way that is best for us, whether we see His army or not.

When our eyes are opened to the reality of God’s power, then we will come to understand what Elisha knew so well: God our protector is stronger than any threat that can confront us. What have we to fear?