Surrounded...

​“It may look like I’m surrounded but I’m surrounded by You. This is how I fight my battles.”  
            These words are the lyrics to a song sung by Michael W. Smith from his new album. Actually, these are the only words in the song, yet I find these words a powerful reminder of God’s covering and protection over our lives. They bring to mind a story in the Bible in 2 Kings 6:8-17. The king of Syria was making war with Israel. Whatever plans he made, God revealed to the prophet Elisha and Elisha in turn warned the king of Israel. When the king of Syria found out that his plans were being exposed by Elisha he sent an army to surround the city where Elisha was staying. Imagine a whole army for just one man! When Elisha’s servant awoke early the next day and saw the army surrounding the city with horses and chariots he became afraid. Elisha’s response? “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” He prayed for the Lord to open his servant’s eyes and the servant was able to see that the mountain was filled with horses and chariots of fire from the Lord all around Elisha. 
            Many times we feel surrounded by life’s problems. Hopelessness, fear, anxiety may set in and we may feel that it’s all over. All our natural eyes may see is the problem that seems too big for us. We don’t see any way out or through the situation. Defeat seems sure and help seems so far away. Maybe we need to do what Elisha did. He knew His God was protecting them. His servant couldn’t see it so he had to ask the Lord to open his eyes to see the protection that was all around them.
            We too may need to ask God from time to time to open our eyes to see His covering and protection all around us. But note: the enemy may be all around, he may have invaded your space, your territory, where you are, in order to steal from you, to kill you, to destroy your destiny and your future. But be encouraged, God is surrounding you too. The enemy cannot touch you unless God allows it. And once God is surrounding you it means He is surrounding the enemy that is surrounding you. So, God surrounds you to protect you, but He surrounds the enemy to defeat him. Notice I’m using the word “him” and not “them”. We tend to forget that the real enemy is still the devil. He may use people, situations and things to try to destroy us but ultimately he is the mastermind behind it all; he is still the one who comes to steal, kill and destroy.
            So, the next time you feel overwhelmed by the storms, trials, stresses that life seems to sometimes bring your way, remember that you may feel surrounded and trapped by the enemy but God is also surrounding, protecting and keeping you. And by the way, that line of the song that says, “This is how I fight my battles”? That line refers to praise. While you are surrounded, one of the greatest weapons you still have is praise. And praise serves to remind us that we are surrounded by the Lord’s horses and chariots of fire sent by Him to fight for us!