Years ago, I read one or two of Frank Peretti’s novels. I know for sure I read This Present Darkness and I may have read Piercing the Darkness. While I know there are lots of people who read Mr. Peretti’s work, I have to tell you, they scare me.

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you probably recall how my mind works. I see an image, I read a description, I hear a sound and then my mind blows it way out of proportion. I have trouble sleeping. I have nightmares. I get pretty worked up.

So I try really hard to follow closely to Philippians 4:8 (NIV). “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Now I know there is spiritual warfare going on all around me. I know it. I just don’t know that I want to see it.

I was reminded of a situation Elisha and his servant was in from 2 Kings 6. The prophets of old were amazing men of God. They listened to God. God listened to them. They helped to defeat the enemies of Israel. There are some pretty cool accounts in the Old Testament involving the prophets of God. This is just a glimpse into their lives.

The king of Aram wanted to defeat Israel. At every turn however, Israel would have the upper hand. The Aramean king knew there had to be a traitor among his men, but as the men were questioned, no traitor was found. But one of the officers had heard that Elisha the prophet was able to tell the king of Israel everything that the king of Aram said, including in his private bedchamber.

The king of Aram found Elisha and had his army surround the city of Dothan.

As morning broke, Elisha’s servant went outside and saw the Aramean army surrounding the city. Frightened, he ran to Elisha and asked what they should do.

Elisha asked God to allow the servant to see with spiritual eyes. Once the servant could see with unveiled eyes, this is what he saw. “…he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” (2 Kings 6:17 – NIV)

I wonder if this was what God’s prophets saw all the time. Were their eyes always in “spiritual eyes” mode? Did they always see the protection God provided them? Oh, it gives me goosebumps just thinking about it.

What if you or I could see these protectors around us as well? Would that change how we think or act or work for God? Maybe. But then again, if we could see these warriors, how might our faith be affected? If faith is the assurance of things unseen, what would be left to have faith in?

I don’t know the answer to any of these questions. I just know that I don’t see the warriors and protectors around me, but I know they are there. They are fighting for what is good. They are fighting for the souls of mankind. They are fighting for me.

Elisha must have had a sense of humor. His next move was brilliant. He prayed that God would blind the Aramean army and God did as Elisha asked. Then Elisha tells the army that he isn’t who they’re looking for. That the guy they want is in another city and that he would lead them to him.

Of course, Elisha takes the entire Aramean army to Samaria where the Israelite army was camped. Inside the walls of Samaria, Elisha asks for their eyes to be opened. What a frightened group of men this must have been.

The account ends with the Aramean army being fed and sent back to their king. The Aram attacks against Israel stopped.

I don’t know about you, but I’m glad to be on God’s side. Actually, I’m more than glad. I am filled with an inexpressible joy knowing that God is at work around me. I pray that you know and are filled with joy as I am.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna