031: If God is For You …

Hello and welcome to The Hope Podcast. I’m Aneel Aranha. Today we are going to talk about how little it matters if anybody is against us if God is for us.    

Have you ever felt as though you were under siege? I am sure there are times when we feel as though everything and everyone is coming against us. Nothing seems to be going right; everything is going wrong and terribly so. Well, let us take hope from Paul’s words to the Romans: “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). 

Not convinced? Let me tell you a story that might convince you. The prophet Elisha had incurred the wrath of the king of Aram. The king sent an army to capture Elisha. One of Elisha’s servants saw this massive force of soldiers with horses and chariots and panicked. He asked Elisha, “What shall we do?” “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them. 

The servant was bewildered. Those who are with us!? There was only him and the prophet! What had Elisha been smoking? Then Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” And when the servant looked again, he saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding the army that surrounded Elisha (see 2 Kings 6:8-23)

This is how it is with God. He surrounds what surrounds us! I know the enemy can appear formidable. When we are overwhelmed with severe challenges like a chronic illness, or mounting debts, or imminent catastrophe, it can seem like the enemy has us beaten. But that’s only until we factor God into the equation. Then, it doesn’t matter what (or who) has us surrounded; God has that surrounded in turn! We may not be able to see God’s circle of protection except through supernatural sight, but we can be sure that it is true. 

How can we be sure? God himself declares it. He says: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). (Do read the rest of the passage; he has other great things to say about how he helps us deal with opposition!)

So, what challenges seem to have you surrounded? Is it an addiction? Unemployment? Sickness? Bankruptcy? Foreclosure? Mental illness? Life imprisonment? Do you think they’re going to beat you, dear friend? Think again. If God is for you, who can be against you? And declare with the psalmist: “The Lord is with me; he is my helper. I look in triumph on my enemies” (Psalms 118:7).

Say Amen!

May the Spirit be with you.