You will never walk alone - 18 May 2026
Imogen Campbell
'Don’t be afraid,' the prophet answered. 'hose who are with us are more than those who are with them.' 2 Kings 6:16, NIV
Liverpool Football Club fans know a thing or two about this; their emotive anthem is called "You'll Never Walk Alone". But what about when you are not near the River Mersey? Well, Elisha, a prophet of old, may have a thing or two to teach us.
What if those that are with us are a celestial army of fire? When Elisha faced the army sent by the king of Aram, he understood that he was not alone. In response to his panicked servant, Elisha prayed asking God to open the latter’s eyes. Instantly, this unnamed servant became privy to hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha – in full protection. Surely, it reminded Elisha of his predecessor Elijah’s heavenly ride home.
Surprisingly, this “fired-up” army did not exact a physical toll despite tremendous might. In a way, it feels like a foreshadowing of Christ who also had legions of angels at his disposal that night before he died. Yet Jesus, too, chose not to unleash them, having great redemptive purposes in mind instead. Power, not just for protection – but controlled and demonstrative of mercy too.
In this biblical account, the king of Aram is intent on attacking Israel but, frustratingly, the king of Israel is consistently able to outsmart him. When he discovers the source of his problems in the guise of Elisha stationed in Dothan, he promptly sends his army to capture this lone prophet – another echo of the Garden of Gethsemane, is it not?
In a dramatic about-turn, this imposing enemy sent to surround Dothan, found themselves struck with blindness instead. And then Elisha led all of these vulnerable men to the king of Israel in Samaria.
Counter-intuitively, rather than having them all executed, Elisha commanded the king to feed the enemy. An unexpected miracle unfolds – fed and having experienced mercy through withheld judgement, and grace through kindness they did not deserve, the army retreats – and Aramean raids cease for a time.
Amazing grace has never ceased to be amazing. Elisha was a forerunner to another Prophet living in a small town, who would also come to save those blinded by sin, feed them with his Word and set them free. This time for eternity.
Prayer: We praise you, Lord, that we can know with certainty that when you are on our side, we are in the majority. Amen.