How does 2 Kings 6:16 connect with Romans 8:31 about God's support? A Snapshot of Each Passage 2 Kings 6:16 — “Do not be afraid,” Elisha answered, “for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Romans 8:31 — “What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” God’s Support Revealed in 2 Kings 6:16 • Historical setting: The king of Aram has surrounded Dothan to capture Elisha. • Elisha’s servant sees only the hostile army; Elisha sees the unseen host of God (v. 17). • Key truth: God literally dispatched heavenly forces—“horses and chariots of fire”—to protect His prophet. • Fear melts when the spiritual reality is grasped: the divine army outnumbers the human threat. God’s Support Announced in Romans 8:31 • Context: Paul has just unfolded God’s saving work—foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, glorification (vv. 28-30). • Legal language: With God as advocate and judge, opposition has no standing (v. 33). • Climax in Christ: God “did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all” (v. 32). • Therefore, no adversary—spiritual or earthly—can ultimately prevail against believers. Shared Truths That Tie the Verses Together • Same Author behind the scenes: the LORD of hosts. • Invisible resources: – 2 Kings 6: angelic armies. – Romans 8: the unbreakable chain of redemption, the intercession of Christ (v. 34) and the Spirit (v. 26). • Fear versus assurance: – Elisha commands, “Do not be afraid.” – Paul declares, “Who can be against us?” • Numerical perspective: God’s “majority” is based on His presence, not headcount. • Covenant faithfulness: God keeps His promises (Joshua 21:45; 1 Kings 8:56), so both passages rest on His unchanging character. Living in the Reality of Divine Support • See with spiritual eyes (2 Corinthians 4:18). • Stand on the accomplished work of Christ (Hebrews 7:25). • Remember the angelic ministry sent to serve heirs of salvation (Hebrews 1:14; Psalm 34:7). • Replace fear with faith by rehearsing Scripture (Psalm 27:1; Deuteronomy 31:6). • Measure threats against God’s sovereign power, not personal strength. Encouragement for Today The same God who opened a servant’s eyes outside Dothan and who did not spare His own Son stands with His people now. Opposition may look overwhelming, but the heavenly calculus is unchanged: those who are with us are more, and if God is for us, no foe can ultimately stand. |
    |