Lent Day 19 - A Man Walks to the Door
When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. 2 Sam. 6:15
When was the last time you breathed a sigh of relief so heartfelt that it was audible? There is a nature reserve near me, and I often like to walk there with the dog. There is a winding path up through the shady forest, past an old, ruined manor house, and out onto the chalky summit where there are views up and down the coast for miles. On this particular occasion, I had parked in the car park, instead of on the road, as I usually do. Starting from this different location, I had a cursory glance at the map and information board and took the nearest path. This proved to be a bad move. The path was unfamiliar, and within half an hour I was spectacularly lost. I tried again and again to find my way out, either up or down, without success. Finally, I met a fellow walker, who saw my rather frazzled expression, and directed me to the main pathway, with strict instructions not to deviate from it until I saw somewhere familiar. When I finally did, almost an hour and a half after my walk had begun, I breathed a sigh of relief.
In today’s story, Elisha the prophet and his servant are in trouble. They have angered the king of Aram, and during the night he has sent his army to surround them. When morning comes, we read that the prophet’s servant ‘got up and went out’ only to be confronted by the terrifying sight of the army bent on their capture. This is where the miracle comes, and the moment where that man’s early morning walk got transformed. Elisha prayed that his eyes would be opened, and beyond the king’s army he suddenly saw God’s army, arrayed across the hillside in chariots of fire. The relief must have been palpable. Needless to say, Elisha and his servant escaped unharmed. I wonder whether that man’s first walk out of the front door every morning was ever the same again?
It is important to note that the miracle here is not God sending the army, but rather the servant seeing them. The hosts of God were already there to protect his servants, it’s just that they had not seen them before. Presumably they had been there all through Elisha’s previous adventures and encounters with those who opposed him. There they were, ready to march at heaven’s bidding, even when they could not be seen.
Stories like this make me wonder quite how spiritually unobservant I am. Do I go through each day unaware of how close heaven’s armies may be? Do I walk through each day’s journey, unaware of the angels with whom I rub shoulders, and the business of heaven, which God is transacting all the time? If I do, then I am sure I am not the only one.
As you get ready for a walk today, why not ask that God would part the curtain just a little to afford you a glimpse of the greater things going on around you? To be honest, it is probably best if he does not show you a sky full of chariots of fire, especially while crossing a busy road! If you could come back from your walk just a little more aware of his hand at work, though, wouldn’t that be something?
Taken from In Step With God by Richard Littledale
In Step with God will inspire you to put on your walking boots and join Richard Littledale on 101 devotional 'walks' through the Bible!
From Noah to Elijah through to the Magi and the disciples, the Bible is full of stories of people who have made long or short walks that have had an impact on themselves and others.
Richard Littledale unpacks these often overlooked 'walking' stories and encourages you to take your own physical walk as you ponder their deep truths and apply them to your day.
In Step With God gives you 101 thought-provoking biblical reflections and prayers that will encourage you on your own spiritual and physical journey.
Prayer
Dear God, I thank you for this story, and for those magnificent chariots of fire to assure your servants that all was well. As I walk today, please give me the tiniest glimpse of how you are at work, I pray. Amen.