24 november 2024 www.goodnewsfl.org Good news • South Florida edition YOU ASK WHY Thankful for the Master’s Majority “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them” (2 Kings 6:16). As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving this month, I believe I have a word that will be encouraging, empowering and equipping to help us all rise above simply giving thanks and move into living thanks in all circumstances. And that, beloved, includes all those circumstances that are hard, hurtful and even those that argue against all hope, just like the one the prophet Elisha faced. Surrounded The prophet Elisha was in the city of Dothan; the king of Aram sent an army equipped with horses and chariots to capture the prophet of God. They surrounded the city, and Elisha’s servant was gripped with fear. But the prophet could see what his servant could not see, and he spoke today’s God-breathed word of comfort: “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Surrounding those who had encircled the prophet and his servant were horses and chariots of fire sent by the MostHigh God (2 Kings 6:17) for the prophet’s protection and for God’s glory. When Elisha prayed to God to open his servant’s eyes, the servant saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire, and he realized the truth that those who are walking with the Master are protected by a Power that is infinitely greater than any power that can come against them. What was true for Elisha and his servant back then is true for the people of God today, and that includes you: No weapon formed against you shall prevail. The adversaries of God’s people – the world, the flesh and the devil – are many and mighty. But God’s answer to all our adversaries is mightier still. No matter how many unholy horses and corrupt chariots may line up against us to keep us from being all God is calling us to be, they are outnumbered by Omnipotence. Our Master always has the majority. You are protected on all sides, and you will not be overcome by your opposition because “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” You see, God will not always lead his enemies into a watery Red Sea grave or send a Samson to slay them with the jawbone of a donkey. Sometimes God will simply open some eyes and close others, eliminating his enemies without a drop of bloodshed. Sometimes our Lord will simply say, “Quiet! Be still!” and the raging storms of this life will turn to flat calm. Eyes of faith Are the forces of fear arrayed against you? Are there armies of anxiety attacking from all sides? Are the powers of the prince of darkness pursuing you? Fear not! Look with eyes of faith today, and you will see past whatever adversary is approaching and see the Almighty, who stands at the ready to give you victory. Remember, not only is it true that those who are with you are more than those who are with your enemies, but the power that is at work within you is infinitely and eternally greater than any power that will ever come against you. Never forget, the same power that raised Jesus from death to life on that first Easter morning is the same power that is living inside you right now. I love the way the Amplified Bible renders the apostle Paul’s prayer that you and I would understand and know “the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength, which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead” (Ephesians 1:19-20). Christian, the surpassing greatness of God’s power—the immeasurable, unlimited power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead—is at work in you and for you! Think about that for a minute. Do you ever feel as if your life is being blown and tossed by the winds and whimsy of culture and chance? Hardly! As Paul said, “If God is for us, who can be against us? . . . We are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:31, 37). As you make your way through this month of Thanksgiving, never forget that there is more to your life than what you can see. God will show you as much as he wants you to see in order to strengthen your faith. If you could see everything God was up to in your life all the time, you would not need faith and you would not learn to trust God. And so we trust His sovereign, loving, omnipotent hand . . . even when we cannot trace it. To be sure, there will be days when the fighting will be fierce, the battle will be brutal, and the war will wear you down, but the outcome will never be in question, because the One who fights for you fights with a force that simply cannot be overcome. The Master and you always make the majority. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN! Dr. Tommy Boland is senior pastor of Cross Community Church in Deerfield Beach (www.thecrosscc.org). He blogs regularly at tommyboland.com. - Dr. Tommy Boland - Pastor, Cross Community Church
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