The Presence of God
September 1, 2010

I used to ask God to show himself to me. He never did. I can't help but think my faith would be stronger if an angel, or angels, would appear to me as they did to Elisha's servant.

If you recall the story, then you know it's an impressive illustration of God's existence in a parallel dimension. The king of Aram was engaged in a war with the king of Israel. After a series of military setbacks the Aramean king discovered that Elisha was finding out his battle plans in advance and passing them along to the king of Israel. Seeking to kill the prophet, he sent an army to Dothan, Elisha's hometown.   When the prophet's servant awoke and went outside he saw the city surrounded by an army of horses and chariots. Terrified, he asked his master, "What shall we do?" (2 Kings 6:15). Not a bad question considering the apparent hopelessness of the situation.

 The prophet calmly said, "Don't be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them" (2 Kings 6:16).  I don't think Elisha's servant bought into the prophet's evaluation. His twenty-twenty vision told him a massive army surrounded the two of them. He may have rubbed his eyes and looked again but the odds did not appear to be in their favor.

Sensing his servant's fear, Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see" (2 Kings 6:17). Immediately, a miracle occurred. God allowed Elisha's servant to see into the spiritual dimension. The text says, "Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha" (2 Kings 6:17).   I wonder, did Elisha see the angels all along, or did he simply believe they were there? In either case, he lived with an acute awareness of God's presence. I believe if God "opened our eyes" so we could see into the parallel spiritual dimension, we would see God at our side along with a host of his angels.

Such a statement rests on biblical revelation. Jesus himself promised, "I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever" (John 14:16). The author of Hebrews reminds us that God promised, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5). Elsewhere he asked, are not angels, "ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" (Hebrews 1:14). The source of your spiritual power isn't across the room, down the street, or on the other side of town. He is within you and beside you. He is closer than your shadow. All you need to do is cry out. He'll hear your call and release his power through you.

You must never forget that the enemy doesn't fear you, he fears your God. The moment you call on him, the evil one will flee and your spirit will be energized. The God who is present waits for you to trust in him, rather than yourself. The warrior within you is awakened by the Lord of Hosts and energized by the God of creation.

February 19 , 2009: Learn to Move a 100-Car Train

I've always been fascinated by trains. I used to lay in bed at night, before falling asleep, and imagine climbing into a freight car and traveling across the country. Even now when I hear a faraway train whistle from the deck of my house it stirs up an urge to travel.

November 6, 2005: The Value of Secrets

It may surprise you to discover that there is nothing you can do to endear yourself to others more than opening up and being vulnerable. If you’ll build more windows and fewer walls, you’ll have more shoulder to shoulder friends. We all need at least one person to whom we can tell everything.

October 24, 2005: Finding Success That Matters

Brothers, I urge you to join me in investing our lives into endeavors that truly matter, into things that are of eternal consequence. The crowns that the world bestows on us wither away all too quickly. But long after the accolades are gone and the light fades on our careers, we can wear a crown that lasts forever if we yield our time, treasures and talents to God.