Those who are with us are more than those who are with them

"Don't be afraid", the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." 2 Kings 6:16

Don't be afraid - The prophet Elisha was speaking to his servant. The king of Syria had sent his army to the city of Dothan during the night because he wanted to capture Elisha. (Read verses 8 - 23.) The prophet's servant rose early the next morning and looked from the city walls to see that an army had surrounded the city. That meant only one thing: this was an enemy, and the people of Dothan were doomed. Terror filled his heart, and he hastened to tell his master. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" The prophet reassured his servant. There was no need to fear. There were more on their side than on the enemy's. From purely a physical aspect the servant wondered how could this be? Looking down from the city walls he could see that the occupants of the city were outnumbered. But then Elisha prayed to God to open his servant's eyes so he may see. God opened the man's eyes, and when he looked, the hills were full of horses and chariots of fire. Guess who came to their rescue? God sent His forces to surround the surrounding enemy. Can you hear the servant exclaiming, "Wow!", as he looks to the hills.

So it is with you and me. God's forces, though unseen, are around us each day. If you are surrounded by an army today, whether an army of fear, or worry, or a pile of bills that need to be paid, or sickness, or rejection, or loneliness, or loss - remember: those who are with us are more than those who are with them. The enemy is outnumbered. Ask God to open your spiritual eyes to see His forces surrounding you. Their presence assures us that victory is certain!

Let us not become weary in doing good

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9

Today's verse is written by the apostle Paul as part of his letter to the church at Galatia. He reminds them of their hope in Christ, and encourages them not to turn back to their old lives.

Let us not become weary - Paul includes himself, as he uses the word "us." This advice is for the ministry, as well as for the laity. We're a team. The word "weary" is translated from the Greek as "to fail in heart." Paul's advice is aimed at our spiritual and mental stamina, rather than physical stamina. And yet, to become weary is natural. If you feel weary in any way, there's regenerating power in Isaiah 40:29. Read it.

in doing good - We've been put on this earth to do good. Doing good usually doesn't lie within us. The natural person doesn't go around doing good. We are far too selfish to do that. It takes a daily anointing with God's Spirit to place us in a position to do good. Jesus set the example: "…how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him." (Acts 10:38)

for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up - The farmer sows the seed, but has to wait for the harvest. He has no control over the growth of the plant. It's all about patient endurance. Reaping is the reward for all the hard work of crop farming. In this fast-paced world patience is a declining commodity. Where does patience come from? Obviously not from within us, or we'd be able to generate it as needed. Paul lists it as one of the fruits of the Spirit, in Galatians 5:22. Patience is a gift from God.

We will be among the reapers if we endure and don't give up. How's your endurance level?

Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it

"I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt; open your mouth wide, and I will fill it." Psalm 81:10

I am the LORD your God - The first time we encounter the "I am" of the Bible is in Genesis, where He appears to Abram, and says, Don't be afraid, I am your shield. (Gen. 15:1). Notice that, first of all, He's the LORD. When capitalized this way, God's name is translated from the Hebrew to mean Jehovah, the self-existent or eternal One. Then the verse goes on to say He's "your God". We discover a theme that recurs throughout the Bible: God wants to be personal. He wants to be your God.

Who brought you out - a picture of deliverance. God is pictured many times in scripture as the One who brings us out, who delivers. I once went caving. There are several rules that apply to caving: you need to either know the cave well, or have a guide with you. Each person needs to carry an extra flashlight. If you go as a group of people, the group must not be large, and you must stay together. We had traveled fairly deep into the cave. When it was time to turn around, the group sat down and turned out all the flashlights. The darkness was enveloping! We sat there for several minutes, discussing what it would be like if we had to find our way out of the cave without a light. There were several who expressed fear, as they remembered the vertical tunnels we had encountered in the pathway on the way in. Then we turned our lights on, and our guide brought us out. Two things were apparent as we exited the cave: we were grateful for our guide, and it was a relief to see daylight again. God reminds us that He is our Deliverer, the One who brought us out.

of the land of Egypt - after more than 400 years of slavery, the descendants of Jacob, who would later become the nation of Israel, were delivered from the bondage of Egypt. The word "Egypt" was loathed! It was equated with everything that had stripped them of freedom. We, too, have had our "land of Egypt" experiences. But we don't have to remain enslaved.

Open your mouth wide - the picture is of someone being fed. Have you watched an infant being fed? Until they can handle a spoon well enough to nourish themselves, they are dependent on the one feeding them. All they need to do is open their mouth each time the spoon arrives. It demonstrates trust. This is our part.

And I will fill it - this is God's part. Notice that He fills the open mouth. I will not lack anything; I will have abundance! With what will He fill your mouth? With food. Whatever food you need, He will supply. He says, "I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me." (Rev. 3:20)

We've got to recognize who God is, and what He's done for us in delivering us from the slavery of sin. Once we do that, then we can trust Him, and He fills our mouths.

Today, are you content with just the aroma of food? Do you want only a taste of food? Or do you want a mouth full of food? God is waiting, spoon-in-hand.

The people who sat in darkness saw a great Light

"The people who sat in darkness saw a great Light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned." Matthew 4:16

Our verse today is quoted from Isaiah 9:2, as Matthew writes his account of the life of Jesus, who came and brought light to Capernaum by the sea at the start of His ministry on earth.

The people who sat in darkness - Isaiah renders it "the people who walked in darkness." There's quite a difference between sitting in darkness and walking in darkness. You and I can find ourselves in either condition, and both are quite hopeless, if one stops to think about it. To be sitting in darkness brings to mind a picture of one who has given up entirely. Darkness has swallowed this person up and they have stopped moving - all they can do is sit. To be walking in darkness presents a picture of one who is groping around, feeling their way in the dark, bumping into objects and trying to go somewhere, without success.

Saw a great light - The time before Jesus came was a time of gloom and darkness. It was similar to the state of things at the creation of our world, when all was dark. Then God said, 'Let there be light' and there was light. When Jesus arrives, there's always light. Thank God for the One who brought Light to a sin-darkened world. It is again a time on earth before Jesus returns. There's lots of darkness. People don't have hope, because they don't have Jesus.

If you've been sitting or dwelling in the region of darkness - the shadow of death - lately, look at the eastern horizon: Light has dawned - what a blessing!

May the Light of heaven shine on you and on your path today.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." Psalm 23:6

Remember what we noticed in verse 1 of this Psalm: it is a personal account of what Jesus, the Good Shepherd, has done for His flock - you and me. It's all about Him, and His incredible love for us, demonstrated by what He does for us. With that before us, we conclude the Psalm.

Surely - Not maybe, or perhaps; this is an exclamation of the definite!

Goodness and mercy - these are God's attributes. When Moses asked to see God's glory, the LORD said, "I will make all my goodness pass before you…" Exodus 33:19. And when God passed in front of Moses, He said, "The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, patient and full of goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands … " Exodus 34:6,7. What a God! (Write the words "goodness" and "mercy" on a piece of paper, then put as many meanings to these two attributes of God as you can come up with. You'll be amazed at what you find out about God!)

Shall follow me - The Shepherd walks ahead of His sheep. God's goodness and mercy, like a rear guard, follow the flock. The writer of the Psalm has learned, by experience, to trust God. And so he makes the statement that God's goodness and mercy shall (future) follow him. We have nothing to fear for what lies ahead, because we can look back on everything Jesus has already done for us along life's road.

All the days of my life - my allotted time; for as long as I have breath in my nostrils. It is a sure thing that the goodness and mercy of Jesus will accompany us throughout our earthly journey.

And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever - This is both a hope for the future (by use of the word "forever"), and a conscious decision on our part (will dwell). "Dwell" is an interesting word; it means to live with, remain with - as a continuous presence.

Finally the sheep have a home. No more do they need to experience the shepherd locking them up safely for the night when he goes home. They are with Him forever! And there is no more night!

As a sheep, I anticipate looking out across the flock, to see you there one day - by His grace!

"You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over."

"You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over." Psalm 23:5b

The Psalmist David knew about shepherding sheep. At the end of the day it was customary for the shepherd to station himself at the door of the sheepfold, where he would examine each sheep as it passed. He would especially examine the head for injuries. When he noticed a sheep with an injury on the head, he would pour a little oil on the wound, thus anointing it. The oil had healing properties, and the sheep would soon be well again.

You anoint my head with oil - After the banquet table, mentioned in verse 5a, there's something the Good Shepherd does for the Psalmist - he anoints his head with oil.

Anointing the head was done for prophets, priests and kings, this act symbolizing the setting apart of the individual for special service. So, in a sense, the Psalmist moves from dining at the Lord's table to serving Him in some capacity. David was anointed king several times during his life.

Further, it can be said that the Psalmist receives the oil from the Shepherd to help heal the wounds inflicted by his enemies (the enemies mentioned in verse 5a) - and David had many enemies!

My cup runs over - David receives so many blessings from the hand of the Shepherd that his cup overflows with blessings. It's good to count one's blessings every now and then. Are you counting yours today?

You prepare a table before me

"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies …" Psalm 23:5a

This is the time of rejoicing, after the valley experience. This is when the psalmist walks out of the valley, and into the Light and Sunshine! He starts climbing out of the valley, to the heights of the mountain. It is then that he notices the table!

But it's not just a bare table. This is the banquet scene - the Good Shepherd has prepared a loaded table, to which He invites David. Can you picture it? The tablecloth, the silverware, the plates and dishes, the glasses, the bowls full of delicious food.

The banquet is prepared, and God is the Host - He's the One who does the serving!

This reminds us of another table, later in time, in an upper room in Jerusalem, where Jesus did the serving. First he washed the disciple's feet, even those of Judas, thus teaching His disciples lessons of humility, service, and heaven's gracious love. Then He served the meal.

It's one thing to sit at a table full of good food - but it's quite another to dine in the midst of one's enemies! It's as if God shows the enemy what He's doing for His sheep!

And one day, when our journey on earth is over, we will be ushered in to a banquet hall in heaven, where Jesus again will serve His redeemed people. He said, in the upper room, "But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom." (Matthew 26:29)

Are you making plans today to be at that table?