Syria was against Samaria, yet when Naaman, the commander of the army, heard via a captured Israeli girl that there was prophet there who could heal his leprosy, he told his king about it. Through a series events, Naaman ended up being healed by the Lord via His prophet Elisha. [1]
Later, the King of Syria sent his army to capture Elisha. Why? He was giving the King of Israel intel by the Spirit of the Lord as to the Syrian army’s plans…
“Therefore, the heart of the king of Syria was greatly troubled by this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, ‘Will you not show me which of us is for the king of Israel?’ And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.” [2]
Elisha was not intimidated by an enemy army coming after him. He told his servant, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” [3]
Elisha prayed to the Lord to open the eyes of his servant so he could see the army of the Lord. The Lord answered Elisha’s prayer. The servant saw the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. And Elisha prayed to the Lord, and said, “Strike this people, I pray, with blindness.” And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.” [4]
The enemy did not capture Elisha. He captured them. He brought these blinded soldiers into the city of Samaria, asked his king to feed them and afterwards, he sent them away seeing. [5]
Twice, he showed the enemies of the Lord kindness, but still they came again to attack Samaria. The Syrians surrounded Samaria. They cut off their food supply. Elisha prophesied that all would be well to his King. What happened?
“The Lord had caused the army of the Syrians to hear the noise of chariots and the noise of horses—the noise of a great army; so, they said to one another, ‘Look, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Egyptians to attack us!’ Therefore, they arose and fled at twilight, and left the camp intact—their tents, their horses, and their donkeys—and they fled for their lives.” [6] The people Samaria collected ample food and supplies afterwards.
The Lord is well able to take care of the enemies of His people, and to do it with grace, thus, Jesus says to you and to me…
“Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore, you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” [7]
Be like our Heavenly Father to them! Realize that God is bigger than their anger and hatred. Who has ever shown them what the Heavenly Father is like?
Saul of Tarsus was a man who “made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison.” [8]
The people of God prayed for him, and rather than kill him, God converted him. Thanks to Jesus, Saul of Tarsus was transformed into the Apostle Paul. Paul became a prolific writer and speaker for Jesus Christ.
Now, let us love and pray for our enemies, and believe that God will do miracles among them that will change their perspective of both God and us. “Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” [9]
[1] 2 Kings 5:1-14
[2] 2 Kings 6:11-12
[3] 2 Kings 6:16
[4] 2 Kings 6:17-18
[5] 2 Kings 6:19-23
[6] 2 Kings 7:6-7
[7] Matthew 5:44-48
[8] Acts 8:3
[9] Psalm 124:8
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