Spiritual Warfare: Supernatural Intelligence
2 Kings 6:16-17 (NIVUK)
“When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. ‘Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?’ the servant asked. ‘Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.' And Elisha prayed, ‘Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all round Elisha.”
John 14:26 (NIVUK)
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
The Oxford Dictionary defines one meaning of 'intelligence' as follows: ‘The collection of information of military or political value.’ A crucial piece of intelligence, information that is not otherwise widely known, can alter the course of a police investigation or a military battle. The King of Aram was enraged as he was told that the prophet Elisha had inside information that detailed, ‘the very words you speak in your bedroom’ (2 Kings 6 :12). The king sent out the Aramean army to advance against the people of Israel, and Elisha’s servant exclaims, ‘Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?’
The sheer panic in that statement is something many of us have experienced at some point. When reading this story, I have often focused on how frightened Elisha’s servant must have been, but it has recently occurred to me that the King of Aram was likely petrified when he sent that army out: intimidated and fearful. Not only did God give Elisha key information that gave the people of Israel a military advantage, but there was also much more taking place. As the servant’s eyes are opened, he has a completely new perspective, and surely his fear of the Arameans turned to faith that God would lead Israel to victory. When feeling overwhelmed, I often pray that God will open my eyes so that my perspective is changed.
I also love Jesus’ promise to the disciples that the Holy Spirit will remind them of everything that he has said. As Christians, we have the Holy Spirit living inside us and ‘he will guide you into all the truth’ (John 16:13). Thankfully, we don’t have to try and figure out whatever comes our way by ourselves. We have supernatural intelligence from God himself, through his word and the Holy Spirit to help us in every area of our lives.
Prayer — Lord, thank you that you still speak to us today. Help me to listen to what you are saying to me and open my eyes so that I see things as you see them. I pray that any fear will be turned to faith in you.