"A More Sure Word"

 

    Unto the prophet and his servant a vision was given of God's bountiful supply.

 

     "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?
And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. 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" (II King 6:15-17).

 

    Unto the born again believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, God provides an even greater illumination and assurance.

 

     "We have also a more sure Word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your heart, knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit" (II Peter 1:19-21).

 

     God Himself awaits us in the Bible as we read with a humble, trusting, Christ-devoted heart.  Scripture comes with its Author unto the sons and daughters of God in Christ.  Visions are transcended by the living Truth of the Word of God.  The Holy Spirit bears witness in Scripture to our Lord's dynamic presence and loving care, calling us to the clearer "seeing" of understanding the person and working of God.  Thereby are we prepared to walk in confident assurance that we are eternally - and in this moment - safe in the refuge of being "hid with Christ in God" (Colossians 3:3).

 

    Elisha and his servant had no Bible as we know it.  Therefore, God graciously gave them a vision that sufficed to motivate and empower faith for the moment.  Our "more sure Word of prophecy," the Bible, provides a far stronger witness whereby a far stronger faith results in the trusting heart.  "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17).  Certainly we would all love to have seen mountains full of chariots of fire.  Such events are rare, however.  Conversely, our Bibles are often at hand.  In their sacred and faith-fostering pages, the Holy Spirit assures that our lives are full of God Himself, working all things together for good (Romans 8:28).  Elisha and all the prophets of old would have loved such a "more sure Word," and would tell us that the pages of the Bible far surpass visions in the mountains.

 

"I rejoice at Thy Word, as one that findeth great spoil."

(Psalm 119:162)