Posted on 11/14/2018 11:49:30 AM PST by Salvation
There is an old saying, “Stop telling God how big your storm is and start telling the storm how big your God is.” In other words, we often need to shift our focus, building up our trust and confidence. Because we are so wired for fear, we tend to overestimate the power and shrewdness of demons, or of our enemies, or of whatever it is we fear. At the same time, we tend to underestimate the power of God, the power of our own resources, the strength that God gives us, and the perduring quality of what is good and true.
I see a lot of this in deliverance ministry, where so many people come to us more fearful of the power of demons than they are trusting in the power of God. Part of the solution must be that they make a journey in faith, coming to realize that demons are not all-powerful; God and His angels are more powerful. Even if God mysteriously allows demons some access to our lives, it is only to act as a snare for the evil one and to unlock greater blessings for us who call out in faith.
There is a remarkable passage in the Second Book of Kings that draws back the curtain for a moment and shows us a world we seldom see. The passage centers on the prophet Elisha and the King of Syria’s attempt to capture and kill him. Elisha is not worried, but his young assistant (or servant) is quite dismayed by the approaching Syrian army:
When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw: And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha (2 Kings 6:15-17).
Yes, for just a moment the mystical curtain is drawn back, and the young servant of Elisha sees that we are not alone in this battle. Indeed, myriad angels, saints, and God Himself engage the battle for us. Elisha reminds us, Those who are with us are more than those who are with them. God’s power far surpasses whatever foolishness of the devil is making the rounds. At times, the city seems surrounded (as Elisha’s servant saw), but Elisha isn’t worried because he sees something else, something far greater and more glorious; he knows where to focus.
To be sure, there is a battle to be fought, but we do not fight it alone. There are a multitude of angels and saints and behold, chariots of fire round about. Lord open our eyes that we may see and understand that we are not alone. Give us the courage to engage the battle with the sword of your word, of your truth! Fix our focus on You, not on the storms of life.
This song in the video below says,
When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father you are king over the flood
I will be still and know you are God
Find rest my soul
In Christ alone
Know his power
In quietness and trust
Monsignor Pope Ping!
Say not, 'The stuggle nought availeth;
The labour and the wounds are vain;
The enemy faints not nor faileth,
And as things have been, they remain.'
If hopes were dupes, fears may be liars:
It may be, in yon smoke concealed,
Your comrades chase even now the fliers,
And, but for you, possess the field.
For while the tired waves, vainly breaking,
Seem here no painful inch to gain,
Far back, through creeks and inlets making,
Comes silent, flooding in, the main.
And not by eastern windows only,
When daylight comes, comes in the light;
In front the sun climbs slow, how slowly!
But westward, look! the land is bright.
Lines quoted by Winston Churchill in a memorable conversation with President Roosevelt, in one of the darker days of the War.
I've been a grateful member of AA for 15 years after spending the two decades before that in an alcoholic haze. I've never seen my journey so succinctly or beautifully summarized in one sentence as Msgr. Pope did above.
Congratulations on your recovery!
Roman Catholics would do well to heed this admonition.
Catholics - not just Roman but also Maronite, Syro-Malabar, Syro-Malankara, Chaldean, Byzantine etc. all hope to rest in Christ alone. you really should learn about what the Church actually teaches as opposed to what you think we believe in — you telling us “no, you believe in this, i don’t care what you think” is akin to the MSM telling conservatives “you are racist, misogynist deviants, I don’t care what you think”
Christians rest in Christ alone. Roman Catholics rest in Mary first then Jesus plus their works plus whatever else Rome says they have to do or believe to have salvation.
is exactly like MSNBC or CNN "reporters" saying we conservatives believe in racism, anti-migrants, and are anti-women.
Namely it's bull saying "no, you believe in this, I don't care what you say"
We Catholic do not believe in whatever fantasy picture you're making up. Seriously, head into a Church for real instead of reading what other people say other people say we Catholics believe
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