2 Kings 6: 16 & 17
“Don’t be afraid!” Elisha told him. “For there are more on our side than on theirs!” Then Elisha prayed. “O Lord, open his eyes and let him see!” The Lord opened the young mans eyes and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire.
Imagine what a sight!
In our world, there is the natural realm (everything that we can see, touch, feel) and then there is the spiritual realm (that which we cannot see, touch and feel) and they both exist right alongside one another. Just because we can’t see the spiritual does not mean that it isn’t there.
I have always been interested or rather greatly intrigued by the spiritual realm. In fact, years ago, it came up as one of my areas of gifting. It is not a gift that I have pursued, because it comes with great responsibility, but in my Christian walk, I am often (when I am in the right place spiritually) pulled across into the spiritual real and I experience something that is totally out of this world. Something that catapults me into a far greater faith in God. And for the ‘season’ that follows, it is as if I am walking alongside an imaginary curtain and every now and again I am pulled across to the other aside, to reinforce the existence, the peace and the power that is there within our grasp.
I once heard the testimony of an ex-Satanist who had converted to Christianity. I remember thinking that if everyone had a chance to hear about the world of Satanism, they would surely believe in God, who is the Almighty victor over all and the only one who can overcome satan and his demons. When I grasped an understanding of the power that the satanists call on and the forces that they employ in their attempt to bring destruction and even death upon their enemies (the people of God), my eyes were ‘faith-fully’ opened to the spiritual realm. I say faith because it takes absolute faith to believe and take hold (as one takes hold of a weapon) of the incredible truth that God has complete and utter victory over satan.
God is the creator and satan is the created – a fallen angel who was thrown out of heaven and sent to reside on earth. This is where he has raised up his own legions of fallen angels, in his continued in his attempt to overthrow God.
A few weeks back, I was unexpectedly launched into a spiritual attack which completely changed my understanding of the spiritual realm and propelled my faith to a whole new level. We need to remember that God knows every detail of our lives, and therefore he prepared me for this very occasion.
I had been away for a weekend with my forum girls. It was spiritually charged weekend, where we felt so enveloped in God’s presence and love, that it was difficult to come back to the real world, which in contrast is harsh and rather distracted from God. But, if it had not been for this time away, I would never have been prepared for what lay ahead.
I received a phone call out of the blue and immediately had a sense of a demonic stronghold. I ran out of the house declaring Gods presence and power to go before me. Never once did I feel fearful or alone but I had a sense that a huge battle lay ahead.
What I encountered was in no way ‘of this world’. It was a terrible evil. I have never been trained to deal with demonic possession but the spirit of the Lord was with me and every word I prayed brought Gods power and presence into that place. The battle went on for at least an hour. And at the end, a great victory was won. The enemy could not overcome the power of the Lord.
There is such power in the name of Jesus.
It left all of us who had been there to witness it, totally charged with faith and a vivid realization that God can overcome all things.
We had truly seen God’s power in action.
The other thing that we became infinitely aware of, is that if you are not for God, you are against Him. Any power that is not of God is of Satan.
There are so many beliefs, cults, cultures, religions, creeds and sects in this world, but the truth is the truth. There is only one God and if we are not worshiping father God, creator of the whole universe, we are worshiping Satan.
We also need to constantly protect ourselves against the power of the enemy. It is a spiritual battle, so our tactics are metaphorical rather than tangible.
The bible gives us a very clear instruction
Ephesians 6:10-18
10 Last of all I want to remind you that your strength must come from the Lord’s mighty power within you. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand safe against all strategies and tricks of Satan. 12 For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies—the evil rulers of the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule this world; and against huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world.
13 Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]. 14 So stand firm and hold your ground, having tightened the wide band of truth (personal integrity, moral courage) around your waist and having put on the breastplate of righteousness (an upright heart), 15 and having strapped on your feet the gospel of peace in preparation [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news]. 16 Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.
8 Pray all the time. Ask God for anything in line with the Holy Spirit’s wishes. Plead with him, reminding him of your needs, and keep praying earnestly for all Christians everywhere.
And that really says it all!!!