People are more aware of players on the field during a football game than what’s going on outside the stadium. They are focused on the sporting event. These spectators, wearing tee shirts with the name and number of their special player, sit on bleachers in neat rows on staggered multi-levels. The fans cheer for their favorite team led by their top-dog quarterback. They stamp their feet. They jump and shout. Their excitement is deafening. But. It. Is. A. Game. It’s a matter of winning or losing, not life or death.
However, the field I am talking about is a battlefield. A multitude of demonic soldiers led by Satan line up on one side, and a myriad of angel soldiers led by the Lord line up on the other side.
And man is the target of both armies! We find ourselves on a spiritual battlefield.
Satan’s army is out to kill, to steal, and to destroy us (John 10:10). the Lord’s army is fighting to protect, to rescue, and to save our lives (John 10:10).
A wonderful portrayal of what a spiritual battlefield looks like is found in 2 Kings 6:12-20. Syria was at war with Israel and when the king of Syria had discovered that Elisha, a prophet of God, had been telling the king of Israel his battle plans, he was furious and sent horses and chariots and a great army to go by night to surround Dothan where Elisha and his servant stayed.
Picking the story up in verse 15: “When the servant of Elisha rose early in the morning and went out, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” Elisha said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”
Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the servant, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. And when the Syrians came down against him, Elisha prayed to the Lord and said, “Please strike this people with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness in accordance with the prayer of Elisha. And Elisha said to them, “This is not the way, and this is not the city. Follow me and I will bring you to the man whom you seek.” And he led them to Samaria. As soon as they entered Samaria, Elisha said, “O Lord, open the eyes of these men that they may see.” So the Lord opened their eyes, and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria!
Elisha single-handedly led the Syrian Army into captivity in Samaria.
When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “Shall I kill them?”
Then Elisha did a strange thing. “Do not kill them,” he answered. “Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.”
The king of Syria got the message: “DON’T MESS WITH GOD’S PEOPLE!”
Moral of the story to God’s people: “Do not be afraid! I am the Lord your God. I will help you.”
Elisha and his servant serve as an illustration of faith that reveals God is doing more for His people than we can ever realize through sight alone. When we face difficulties that seem insurmountable, we must remember that heavenly spiritual resources are there even if we cannot see them. Trust in God and He will show you His resources.
As far as God’s eyes see from His throne to all of the earth, there is His unmatched power, His unequaled might, His incomprehensible sovereignty, and His rock-solid faithfulness to His people!
The Bible says to put on the full armor of God and follow Him. We are on the battlefield in spiritual warfare. Will there be casualties on the battlefield? Yes, there will be casualties. Charlie Kirk was one of them. Charlie was a courageous man of God who loved the Lord and was obedient to His call to tell others the gospel of Jesus. He was gunned down, but he did not die in defeat. The gospel will be proclaimed and Turning Point USA will be on the front line.