Who Is with You?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to 2 Kings 2-7 and a lesson titled “There Is a Prophet in Israel.” The following information introduced the lesson material. 

A prophet’s main mission is to teach and testify of the Savior Jesus Christ. Our record of the prophet Elisha, however, doesn’t include much of his teaching or testifying. What the record does include is the miracles Elisha performed, including raising a child from the dead (see 2 Kings 4:18-37), feeding a multitude with just a little food (see 2 Kings 4:42-44), and healing a leper (see 2 Kings 5:1-14). So while we don’t have Elisha’s words about Christ, we do have Elisha’s ministry and miracles, which do testify of Christ. They are powerful manifestations of the Lord’s life-giving, nourishing, and healing power. Miracles happen more often in our lives than we sometimes realize. To see them, we need to seek the faith Elisha had when he prayed on behalf of his fearful young servant: “Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see” (2 Kings 6:17).

The scripture block for this week teaches four main principles, including the following: (1) God can work miracles in my life (2 Kings 2-6); (2) The Lord will fulfill His words given through His prophets (2 Kings 4:8-17; 7:1-16); (3) As I am humble and obedient, Jesus Christ can heal me

(2 Kings 5); (4) “They that be with us are more than they that be with them” (2 Kings 6:8-23). This essay will discuss the last principle about those who are with us being more. First, we will study the scripture verses (2 Kings 6:8-18).

8 ¶ Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp.

9 And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down.

10 And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice.

11 Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing; and he called his servants, and said unto them, Will ye not shew me which of us is for the king of Israel?

12 And one of his servants said, None, my lord, O king: but Elisha, the prophet that is in Israel, telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.

13 ¶ And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan.

14 Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host: and they came by night, and compassed the city about.

15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?

16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.

17 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.

18 And when they came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the Lord, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.

Even though I try to follow Christ, there are times in my life when I feel outnumbered and fearful, much like the young servant of Elisha. I remember this experience of Elisha and his young servant, and I try to stay faithful in difficult circumstances. Sometimes it helps to make a list of those people who are in my life and support me. It helps to remember that God has probably placed me in the lives of other people to help them.

President Henry B. Eyring taught the following about this scripture story: “Like that servant of Elisha, there are more with you than those you can see opposed to you. Some who are with you will be invisible to your mortal eyes. The Lord will bear you up and will at times do it by calling others to stand with you” (“O Ye That Embark,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 58). 

In Doctrine and Covenants 84:88, the Lord describes the support that He offers to us: “And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.” Consider times when you felt the Lord supporting you. You might also consider this question: What does God want me to see?

Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles referred to the story in 2 Kings 6:8-23 when he said the following:

We may or may not have chariots of fire sent to dispel our fears and conquer our demons, but the lesson is clear. The Lord is with us, mindful of us and blessing us in ways only He can do. Prayer can call down the strength and the revelation that we need to center our thoughts on Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice. The Lord knew that at times we would feel fear. I have been there and so have you. … In this Church we may be few in number by the way the world counts influence, but when we open our spiritual eyes, ‘they that be with us are more than they that be with them’ [2 Kings 6:16]” (“Be Not Troubled,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2018, 18, 19). 

Since God has probably placed people within your sphere of influence, how would you use these words to help those who feel anxious or afraid?