Horses and Chariots of Fire (2 Kings 6:17)

2023-04-22

And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. (2 Kings 6:17)

When the Syrians encompassed Dothan, the servant of the man of God expressed fear to Elisha. Elisha reassured his servant, “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them” (2 Kings 6:16). The LORD has His armies around His people to deliver them in the way He sees fit. These armies are more powerful and more numerous than anything in the world.

The LORD has literal horses and chariots of fire. When He shall judge the earth, they will be there. “For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire” (Isaiah 66:15). These were the same who escorted Elijah to heaven. “And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven” (2 Kings 2:11).

What of us? Perhaps there are numerous times when we are protected by the hidden army of the LORD. And better yet, the LORD says to us, “...lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:20).