Never Outnumbered

​As a believer in Christ, in an unbelieving world, do you ever feel outnumbered?
 
Of course you and I do. Honestly, we can easily feel surrounded and overwhelmed by enemies of our faith if we forget about the real world behind the world we live in.
 
Pull back what I call the cosmic curtain and see what is really going on.
 
There is a war taking place in heavenly places. Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6:12 that our “struggle (wrestling match) is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
 
 Lucifer, a beautiful angelic being, instigated the spiritual war a long, long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. Puffed up with pride, he rebelled against the Most High God (Isaiah 14:12-14). God booted the arrogant, unrepentant rebel and one third of the angels who sided with Lucifer out of heaven (Revelation 12:4). The Son of the Dawn became Satan, the prince of darkness.
 
The spiritual war is on and goes on. The Devil and his demonic forces battle against God’s heavenly host of angelic warriors. The fight is for the souls of men.
 
Here is the good news. Doing the math, God’s good guys outnumber the Devil’s bad guys two to one!
 
Even greater news is this: Jesus crushed and destroyed the works of the devil.
 
“The Son of God appeared for this very purpose, that He might destroy the works of the devil (I John 3:8). Hebrews 2:14 reads “that through death, He (Jesus Christ) might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is the devil.” And John reminds us “Greater is He (Jesus) who is in you, than he (Satan) who is in the world.”  (I John 4:4)
 
God’s side has won and wins!
 
The devil has been defeated and will soon be chained in hell for eternity (Revelation 20:10). Being a sore loser, he still prowls around trying to pick off people who do not stand firm in faith in Jesus Christ. (I Peter 5:8-9).
 
So, in these tumultuous, troublesome times of 2021, what should Christians do? Remember that cosmic curtain? God’s Word pulls the curtain back for us in II Kings 6:8-23 to encourage us in the spiritual warfare we are engaged in.
           
Scenario.  Elisha and his servant wake up one morning to find themselves surrounded by and vastly outnumbered the army of the King of Aram. In a state of personal panic, the servant runs to his master and asks “Alas, my master, what shall we do.” The calm, cool, collected, and confident prophet responds” Do not fear for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (Verse 16).
           
Elisha, are you kidding! Did you bump your head getting out of bed this morning? Look outside sir. Enemy soldiers are everywhere. Positioned and poised to attack. We are outnumbered, outmanned and outgunned. Looks like curtains to me.
 
Elisha knew something his servant did not. After declaring his faith, Elisha prayed and asked the Lord to “OPEN HIS EYES THAT HE MAY SEE!” See what? What is really going on out there!
 
The servant’s eyes were opened, and what a show! "The mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” WOW!
           
God’s elite spiritual troops had amassed and surrounded the enemy. Aram was out-numbered, out-manned and out-gunned! The Lord was in position to take care of Elisha and his servant.  Read the rest of the story to see what God did on Elisha’s behalf.
 
Observations About the Chariots of Fire Scenario
 

• Elisha’s situation was serious. Aram’s army was real. Something had to give.
• Panic overwhelmed the servant. Faith possessed the prophet.
• The natural eyes of the servant produced fear. Elisha’s spiritual sight produced faith.
• Note: “chariots of fire all around Elisha”. The prophet was covered from every angle. God’s army protected him and his servant from Aram’s army.
• Man’s wood chariots are no match for God’s chariots of fire!
• Elisha’s spiritual eyes were open. His servant’s weren’t and had to be. 

 
If you are going through a tough time just now, and feel surrounded by the enemy, OPEN YOUR EYES! Do not fear when you feel outnumbered and overwhelmed.
           
The truth is that in Jesus Christ we are never outnumbered.
 
Two facts you and I need to acknowledge: first, the fight is on and will always be on. Secondly, we are not alone in the fight. The heavenly host surrounds us.  Because of Calvary, the cavalry has arrived. God’s troops are at their post.  The Lord and a whole heavenly host of good guys are on your side to help you overcome the bad guys.
 
No matter what seemingly overwhelming situation you may be facing, the odds of overcoming and triumphing are with you, not against you. As God’s people, we outnumber, outman, and outgun the enemy every single time!  
 
Therefore, focus your faith. Open your spiritual eyes and see the spiritual warfare being waged. Know beyond the shadow of a doubt, THOSE WHO ARE WITH US ARE MORE THAN THOSE WHO ARE AGAINST US!!! Hallelujah!
 
“If God be for us, who can be against us” Romans 8:31.
 
Roll paraphrase: If God be for us, everybody else might as well be!
 
A Word For Your Week: God’s good guys always outnumber Satan’s bad guys.