Feeling alone is scary. When the Old Testament prophet Elisha and his servant were surrounded by an enemy army, the servant cried out, “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” (2 Kings 6:15). Have you ever found yourself in a situation where it seemed like you were all alone? Maybe not surrounded by an army, but there likely have been situations where you felt the loneliness of Elisha’s servant and cried, “What do I do?”

“Don’t be afraid,” Elisha said. “‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ Elisha prayed, ‘Open his eyes, Lord’” (2 Kings 6:16,17). The Lord opened the servant’s eyes to see the hills full of horses and chariots of fiery angels surrounding the city! What about our lonely battles? Lord, open our eyes!

Jesus told his disciple Peter, “Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?” (Matthew 26:53). Imagine. There were 72,000 mighty spirits chomping at the bit to intervene in Jesus’ defense. But the legions were idle. You can almost picture them at the cross, straining to come to Jesus’ aid, but the Father’s hand held them back. 

Why? Why did the Father do that? He did it so that his care for you would never be held back. He did it so you would never be alone. No matter the battle, those who are with you are more than those who are with them.

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About the Author

Pastor Dave Scharf

Dave Scharf grew up in West Allis, Wisconsin, and served as pastor in Greenville, Wisconsin, from 2005 to 2016. He is currently a professor of theology at Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota, where he lives with his wife, Beth, and their six children. “‘The LORD's right hand is lifted high; the LORD’s right hand has done mighty things!’ I will not die but live, and will proclaim what the LORD has done” (Psalm 118:16,17).

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