2 Kmgs vi. 15, 16. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master ! how shall we do ? And he ansivered. Fear not ; for they that he with us are more than they that he tvith them.
IT has been justly said, that a servant of God is immortal, till his work is done. He will indeed be
exposed to many dangers ; and probably to more, in proportion as his zeal is exercised in the service of his Lord: but the promise made to Jeremiah is ful- filled to every faithful champion ; " They shall fight against thee ; but they shall not prevail against thee." The prophet Elisha eminently experienced this blessed truth. He had been enabled by God on different occasions to reveal to the king of Israel the plans which the king of Syria had laid for his destruction. The king of Syria at first thought that his plans were all betrayed by some confidential servant of his own: but when he learned that they were revealed by God to the prophet Elisha, he determined to destroy the prophet; and for that end he sent not a small band, such as had failed in apprehending Elijah, but a large army to besiege the city wherein he was. This was effected with such rapidity, that the city was encompassed before any one suspected that an army was near : and Elisha's servant, conceiving that the enmity of the king of Syria was chiefly directed against his master, was filled with despondency ; taking for granted now that no possible method of escape for him remained. But Elisha knew that God was his protector, and therefore bade him dismiss his fears, assured that, whilst he had the Creator on his side, he need not feel the smallest anxiety, though the whole creation should be against him.
Now from this answer of Elisha we shall take occasion to shew you the excellency and efficacy of faith, in its discoveries, its consolations, its triumphs. Let us consider,
L Its discoveries —
[The affrighted servant saw nothing but the invading army : but Elisha saw that there were invisible hosts of angels engaged in his defence : and he begged of God to open the servant's eyes, that he might have ocular demonstration of that fact, which he had beheld by faith.
Now this is the proper effect of faith ^: it discerns God as every where present to succour and support his people by his
a Heh. xi. 27.