When I hear that word my mind goes back to TV shows, action movies or books where someone says with great anxiety, “we’re surrounded.” It’s a bad situation! You better say your prayers! Very little hope of making it out alive! It’s also sometimes used that way in the Bible. One of the famous ones is in 2 Kings 6 when the servant of Elisha the prophet got up for an early morning stroll and saw his city was surrounded by a strong enemy force, an army of horses and chariots. I can hear the fear in his voice when he said to his master Elisha, “Oh, my lord, what shall we do?” It seemed hopeless!
Is it also possible to be surrounded by the enemy in the spiritual realm? Jesus encountered powerful demonic forces frequently, and we are to put on the armor of God to fight against spiritual forces in the heavenly realms (Eph. 6). They are unseen, but they are there and may be many!
But there’s Good News! Something else surrounds God’s people!
As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds his people…… Psalm 125:2
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. Psalm 34:7
And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:17
You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:7
These verses reflect the wonderful promises in two of my favorite songs: “Surround us o Lord. We need to be in your presence. Surround us Lord.” and “I am surrounded by the arms of the father. I am surrounded by songs of deliverance.”
Yes the enemy may surround us, but we are more powerfully surrounded by God and His army of angels for protection and deliverance. And a third group also surrounds us; God’s people who are praying and singing songs of deliverance.
As we are in our second week of Grow Groups, I am reminded of the importance of this last group. Michele and I have been in this church family for over 35 years. In all kinds of occasions in groups large and small we have been surrounded by your prayers, songs and love. I know it has helped us in the many battles with the enemy.
We need to be close. We need each other for support. We need each other to grow!
Get Surrounded!
