Chariots of Fire

We read of an account when “the king of Aram was warring against Israel” and Elisha and his servant were surrounded by a vast enemy army (2Ki 6:8–23).1 When you feel threatened, outnumbered, or surrounded, and therefore you are worried or anxious about what might ensue, or things look or seem lost and hopeless, remember this story of Elisha and his servant—and the “chariots of fire all around”—and know that the Lord is with us all the time. He is with us every second of every day until the end of time (Mat 28:20; Psa 23:4).

Moreover, we do not see what God sees, and we do not know what God knows (Isa 55:8–9; Rom 11:33; 1Co 2:14, 16a; Psa 25:4). God knows and sees all things at all times, especially regarding those who call on the name of the Lord (2Ch 16:9; Psa 34:15; Pro 5:21; 15:3; 22:12; 34:18; 145:18; Isa 40:31). Nothing whatsoever happens to a Christian by accident or chance (Rom 8:28–29; cf. Php 1:12). Remember also that He gives His angels as ministering spirits to help us, even in ways we do not know, see, or understand at times (Mat 18:10; Heb 1:14; 13:2; Psa 91:11–12).

Let us, therefore, look forward in full confidence, conviction, courage, boldness, “assurance” (Heb 3:14; 6:11; 10:22; 11:1; cf. Rom 4:16–21), and hope, not only to today but also to Jesus’ glorious return (Act 1:11; 22:6, 11; 26:13; Mat 16:27; 25:31–46; 1Th 3:13; 4:16–17; 2Th 1:6–10; 2:1, 8; Jud 14–15, 24–25; Joh 14:3, 23; Heb 9:28; 1Jn 3:2; 1Ti 6:16; Tit 2:13; Rev 1:7; 8:1; 15:8; 22:12, 20), which will also be the “last day”2 (Joh 6:39–40, 44, 54; 11:24; 12:48; cf. Mat 16:27; 24:36–51; 25:31–46; 1Co 1:7–8; 15:22–25, 50–55; Php 1:10; 1Th 3:13; 4:15; 5:2, 23; 2Th 1:6–10; 2:1; 2Pe 3:7–13; Jud 14; Dan 7:9–11; Rev 1:7; 21:5; 22:20), the climax of human history, and the very end of time itself, which ushers in eternity.

That is also “the day of judgment” (2Pe 3:7; Mat 10:15; 11:22, 24; 12:36; 2Pe 2:9; 1Jn 4:17; cf. Mat 25:31–46; 2Th 1:6–10; 2Pe 3:1–13; Rom 2:5–10; 14:10–12; Rev 20:11–15; 22:12; Col 3:25; Gal 6:7–8; 1Co 4:5; 2Co 5:10), when God has promised to “[make] all things new” (Rev 21:5), eradicate all sin and sinful things from His creation (Psa 50:3; 97:3; Heb 10:26–31; 12:29; cf. 1Jn 2:17; Exo 24:17; Mal 3:2), and restore it and all those who chose to obey Him3^, 4 to “glory”5 (2Ti 2:10; Php 3:20–21). Heaven will be where God and “righteousness dwells” (see Rev 21:3–4; 22:3; 2Pe 3:11–13) and where there is no more corruption, sin, suffering, or death (1Co 15:26, 35–57; Heb 2:14–15; Rev 7:16–17; 20:14; 21:1–22:21; cf. Php 3:20–21; 1Jn 2:25; 3:2; Col 3:4; Jud 21; 2Pe 1:4; Joh 17:24; Rom 8:18, 29; 2Co 4:17; 5:1–8; Rev 1:18; 19:20; 20:10; 2Ti 1:10; Isa 25:8; Hos 13:14).6

CHAPTER PRAYER

Abba! Father! Open my eyes to see and know that Your will is being done! Help me remember that Jesus is right now, at this very instant, ruling and reigning and in charge of His kingdom, and that I am a fellow partaker and worker in that kingdom with Him and with other saints. Yes, even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death here in this fallen world, I know that Jesus is right here with me. Help me also to put on the full armor of God so I can fight the good fight of faith, resist the devil and temptation, and stand firm in the faith to which I was called. In Jesus’ most holy and righteous name, the name above all names. Amen.