Introduction: ¹⁴ Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city. ¹⁵ When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked. ¹⁶ "Don´t be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." ¹⁷ And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so 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.


1. Temptation of sin that surrounds us from every direction.
    1) The temptation of the heart.
        ⓛ The temptation in the Garden of Eden (Ge 3:4-5).
        ② The temptations of Jesus - Materials, fame, wealth, and power (Mt 4:4, 7, 10).
        ③ We are living in the pollution of temptation (1Jn 2:16).
            - The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1Jn 2:16).
    2) Things that perplex us.
        ⓛ Marital conflict, discord, children´s indulgences, and economic difficulties
            (Mt 10:35-36).
        ② Social conflict - between the upper and lower classes, between neighbors,
            political conflicts, labor and management conflicts, and conflict between ideology
            of the rich and poor.
    3) Persecution of the citizens of heaven.
        ⓛ Conflict between secular culture and Christian culture.
            ⓐ Different purposes of life.
            ⓑ Different values of life.
            ⓒ Different ways of life (Mt 5:11-12).
    4) Die a martyr for the sake of Jesus.
        ⓛ The persecution of the 10th emperor of Rome.
        ② A Korean king, Japanese colonial rule, and communist rule (Ps 33:10-12).

2. Things we must know.
    1) Don´t be afraid. Those who are with us are more than those who are with them
        (2Ki 6:16).
    2) You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who
        is in you is greater than the one who is in the world (1Jn 4:4).
    3) We have a comparative advantage.
        ⓛ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed.
        ② We are perplexed, but not in despair.
        ③ We are persecuted, but not abandoned.
        ④ We are struck down, but not destroyed (2Cor 4:7).

3. The way we must live.
    1) Look at the spiritual fact-God is bigger than the circumstances
        (Ac 17:24; Heb 13:5-6).
    2) Maintain the right relationship with God (1Jn 1:5-10).
    3) Believe, confess, and give thanks (Ro 10:10; Col 2:6-7).


Conclusion : If radio communication is abruptly cut off on a battlefield, troops on the front line will face a crisis. They will not be able to receive orders, and they will not be able to get any supplies, either. We do not have to be afraid if we have a strong relationship with God who is within us and who is in heaven (Ro 8:35-39).