2 Kings 6:15-17


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.

Preached on Thursday 10 September 1767
 
If we take the literal sense here it is a proof of Psalm 34:7. [1] This guard would have been the same though the servant had not seen it. It is the same to us – hence the security we enjoy in our dwellings, slumbers and journey. The angels are ministering spirits, instruments of divine providence sent forth to wait upon the heirs of salvation.
 
But it may be accommodated in a  spiritual sense. Such are the views of an awakened soul, such the succours discovered by faith. Such complaints the believer is often reduced to, when he fixes his eye upon outward appearances, and such is the relief and consolation he obtains, when by the light and power of the Spirit, he is enabled to pierce within the veil, and behold things invisible. Let us survey the powerful combination against us – the great army is as it were made up of different divisions, each of them an overmatch for us singly – but how distressing to be as is sometimes the case surrounded with all at once.
1. The holy law of God, with all its threatenings and penalties – a great army. This is the first view of a convinced sinner, and an awful prospect. If the law is our enemy, how can we fight or where can we fly?
2. An army of inward corruptions. These are in some for want of a sense of the law’s spirituality, like Ezekiel’s dry bones – but when the commandment comes with power it puts life into them, and they start up an exceeding great army – and we feel how weak we are to stand before them.
3. The powers of darkness – how numerous, strong, watchful and subtle. How various the temptations and conflicts arising from them.
4. The things and the men of the world; these under the influence of satan are continually setting before us:
  4.1 occasions of sin, where can we set our feet, but there is a snare.
  4.2 occasions of fear. If we will not wear the mark of this beast, war is denounced.
5. Sometimes the Lord himself seems of the party against us – by cross providences without us – and impressions of his displeasure inwardly.
From such views who may not cry out Alas what shall we do! Now let us all pray the Lord to open our eyes – that we may see there are more and greater for us than against us. But let us first observe that this account though it answers the views we have when first awakened, or when in a fit of unbelief, yet it is overdone. Let us see what we may take from this army. I speak to those who seek Jesus.
1. The Law of God is not against you. We are alarmed like soldiers, who mistake the Colours of an army and think those enemies who are friends. Jesus has satisfied, yea magnified the law. He has paid all, and the law has no more to say to you. Yea it is on your side.
2. The dispensations of the Lord to you though they may look dark, are not against you. He deals with you as with children. When had he a child whom he did not chasten? [2]
There remains then, only sin, satan and the spirit of the world – these indeed are sworn foes – you must never expect peace with them, but you may confident expect victory for there are more with you than against you. Let us see:
1. All the praying souls on earth are on your side – great and many are the privileges of this communion in faith and prayer, which believers enjoy with many whom they never saw,
2. All the redeemed of the Lord in glory are for you – they stand in view as witnesses, how[who?] can tell how near they are? They have not forgot their past troubles. I believe they are not unmindful of ours.
3. The angels – are spectators and helpers – we know not in what ways. We are sure they rejoice over a sinner that repenteth. But especially:
4. Jesus is on your side – and if he is for us who can be against us? His wisdom, power, grace, providence all are yours. He is your Advocate, your Captain, your Saviour – and he will not leave you to yourselves, in this warfare. He has given you:
  4.1 complete armour
  4.2 sure provisions
  4.3 precious promises
The efficacy of his defence is set forth as by fire as Zechariah 2:5 [3] not only to preserve you, but to burn up your adversaries. Who can break through fire without being destroyed?
 
To careless sinners – the reverse of this case is true – they sit secure because they see not their danger. Lord open their eyes.

Endnotes:
 
 [1] Psalm 34:7 The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.
[2] Hebrews 12:9-11 Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.
[3] Zechariah 2:5  For I, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.

Acknowledgements:
Cowper & Newton Museum, John Newton's sermon notebook No. 43