2 Kings Chapter 7 relates the story of the Syrian army that had besieged the Israeli city. Inside the city the scene was chaotic. There was hardly any food or supplies and people were in famine.
However, inside the city was also the Prophet Elisha. He pronounced the word of the Lord that declared that the siege would be ended, and victory would be to the Israeli army. Of course, this seemed very far-fetched as the Israeli city hardly had any capable soldiers left and only a few horses. The rest had been eaten in order for them to survive.
The Imaginations of the Mind
2 Kings 7 and verses 6,
For the Lord had caused the army of the Syrians to hear the noise of chariots and the noise of horses – the noise of a great army; so they said to one another, ” Look the king of Israel has hired against us the Kings of the Hittites and the Kings of the Egyptians to attack us.”
The Syrian army thought that they heard a noise. They did not confirm the noise. They speculated about it. The imaginations made them think the worst. Their minds ran off with them and between them they started to concoct some amazing stories and scenarios.
They imagined that the almost defeated army of the Israeli’s had somehow managed to send someone out of the besieged city. That person had travelled many days and possibly weeks and returned with entire armies to fight against the Syrians.
All a figment of the imagination! It is no wonder that the apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 10:5, “bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”
And Fear Gripped their Hearts
Once the Syrians had allowed their imaginations to run wild, they began to feed the fears in their minds. They had imagined that a mighty army was coming against them. There was absolutely no proof that this army was coming to get them. They began to fear and the fear caused them to act irrationally.
2 Kings 7 verse 7, “Therefore they arose and fled at twilight, and left the camp intact—their tents, their horses, and their donkeys—and they fled for their lives.”
Fear caused a mighty army to flee from before an imaginary enemy. In reality there was nothing for them to fear (except the Lord). They had created a scenario in their minds and had allowed the scenario to place fear inside of them. This then caused them to drop everything and flee. All their weapons, their Armour, their spoils of war. They left everything and fled.
God says in Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you.”
Conclusion
2 Timothy 1:7, “ For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”
When we stop listening to rumours and begin to concentrate only on facts, we take control of our imaginations. Once our imaginations are under control we can clearly hear and obey what the Lord God is telling us. Because our imagination is under control and we are being guided by the Lord, all fear leaves.
When there is no fear left in you, your enemies begin to shake and tremble. They begin to flee before you without you having to do anything except to stand on the word of God.
Take control of your fear and imaginations and nothing will be impossible for you.