"And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.” 2 Kings 6:16
The servant of Elisha scaled the wall of Jerusalem to look out upon the armies surrounding them and was afraid. He saw everything that you and I would have seen that day: an opposing and powerful foe with a lock on the situation. Elisha prayed that this servant would get a glimpse into the spiritual world that we do not normally see. That prayer was answered, and he saw still another army encircling the first that filled the mountains round about with horses and chariots of fire. Fear of the enemy turned to pity for the enemy who unknowingly stood in the grip of the God of the universe.
We have traveled through another school year together. Together, we have experienced joys and sorrows, triumph and travail, laughter and some tears. The joy is not to be overlooked but celebrated, cherished, as one who finds a polished stone or a lost coin. It is a rejoicing that we share together as one person’s joy should lift all our hearts. The pain that some of you bear and have borne is also something that we must equally share as we sojourn along in common paths. It is my distinct honor to have known some of the suffering that many families have experienced this year. I have felt the load you carry, seen the worry in your eyes, and heard the strain in your voice. And yet, you go on in faith and confidence that this is the right course and that there is a God in heaven who knows and sees and has you in His view.
I have scaled the walls of our limited vision with you, and as we look out, there is cause for uncertainty and even fear. But even though there are many obstacles ringed about us, we must press through with eyes of faith to see the bigger picture. “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” is the heartbeat of our God toward us. He is there in the midst of all our besieging problems with spiritual forces that out weigh and out number anything our enemy is able to throw against us. And not just with token sentiments or wishful thinking. We are talking “chariots of fire” stuff here. He “is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.” His power is unlimited. How easily we forget that.
We still walk through valleys, however, experience pain, and suffer loss. It is our lot. But even in this, we somehow walk away the winners. I was struck by a phrase used to describe Franklin Roosevelt’s political comeback after several very dark years where he fought the crippling effects of polio with everything he had. It is said he returned to the political scene “cleansed, purified, and illumined” by the pain he had experienced. He re-emerged into the world of politics with a depth to his character that was not there before. I pray that all of us can embrace our trials as something that will cleanse our souls from the stains of this world’s tripe that would otherwise rock us so gently to sleep in ease and comfort. We, too, can rise stronger and lift up a life message that will honor our God with a banner of wisdom and truth and light the way for others to follow.
It has been my privilege to experience the reality of God’s presence as I have seen it through your lives this year. Thank you. I admit, it is a bit of an unusual postscript to write – “thanks for sharing your pain.” Yet it is the memory which burns clearest as we call this year to a close. I trust we will all be faithful to lift up one another’s arms as we go through times of spiritual warfare together. And may we receive occasional glimpses into the realm of the spiritual to see the other reality swirling around us everyday. We have walked and do continue to walk … on holy ground.
We have traveled through another school year together. Together, we have experienced joys and sorrows, triumph and travail, laughter and some tears. The joy is not to be overlooked but celebrated, cherished, as one who finds a polished stone or a lost coin. It is a rejoicing that we share together as one person’s joy should lift all our hearts. The pain that some of you bear and have borne is also something that we must equally share as we sojourn along in common paths. It is my distinct honor to have known some of the suffering that many families have experienced this year. I have felt the load you carry, seen the worry in your eyes, and heard the strain in your voice. And yet, you go on in faith and confidence that this is the right course and that there is a God in heaven who knows and sees and has you in His view.
I have scaled the walls of our limited vision with you, and as we look out, there is cause for uncertainty and even fear. But even though there are many obstacles ringed about us, we must press through with eyes of faith to see the bigger picture. “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” is the heartbeat of our God toward us. He is there in the midst of all our besieging problems with spiritual forces that out weigh and out number anything our enemy is able to throw against us. And not just with token sentiments or wishful thinking. We are talking “chariots of fire” stuff here. He “is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.” His power is unlimited. How easily we forget that.
We still walk through valleys, however, experience pain, and suffer loss. It is our lot. But even in this, we somehow walk away the winners. I was struck by a phrase used to describe Franklin Roosevelt’s political comeback after several very dark years where he fought the crippling effects of polio with everything he had. It is said he returned to the political scene “cleansed, purified, and illumined” by the pain he had experienced. He re-emerged into the world of politics with a depth to his character that was not there before. I pray that all of us can embrace our trials as something that will cleanse our souls from the stains of this world’s tripe that would otherwise rock us so gently to sleep in ease and comfort. We, too, can rise stronger and lift up a life message that will honor our God with a banner of wisdom and truth and light the way for others to follow.
It has been my privilege to experience the reality of God’s presence as I have seen it through your lives this year. Thank you. I admit, it is a bit of an unusual postscript to write – “thanks for sharing your pain.” Yet it is the memory which burns clearest as we call this year to a close. I trust we will all be faithful to lift up one another’s arms as we go through times of spiritual warfare together. And may we receive occasional glimpses into the realm of the spiritual to see the other reality swirling around us everyday. We have walked and do continue to walk … on holy ground.
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