In the movie Free Guy, Ryan Reynolds’ character discovers he’s in a video game. When he puts on some special sunglasses, he can see things that only certain players can see. He can see threats to his well-being and also opportunities which will help him. But as soon as he takes off the sunglasses, all those things disappear. He just sees a world which looks normal.

That’s like you and me waking up to the spiritual realm all around us. What we see isn’t all there is to see. The physical world is real; but it’s not all there is. There is an unseen spiritual realm that we can only perceive by faith. 

In 2 Kings 6, Elisa and his servant are surrounded by a hostile army. Elisha, however, is undaunted: “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” He then asked God to open his servant’s eyes so that he too could see into the unseen realm. “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” (verses 16-17).

God had sent a spiritual army to help Elisha. It wasn’t visible to everyone, but it was real, and it made all the difference.

That’s an encouraging reminder to the rest of us. In Christ, we have access to spiritual forces that our eyes can’t always see. 

When you feel like you’re alone—even among your own friends and family—as you do God’s work, you are never fully and finally outnumbered.

When you are serving in the community and doing your best to help others who are suffering, but you feel like you’re not making any headway or the tide is against you, you are never fully and finally outnumbered.

When you are dealing with a difficult personal battle—perhaps even a dark, spiritual battle—and you’re not sure if victory is possible, you are never fully and finally outnumbered. 

“Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

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Notes and extra content:

–“Never Outnumbered.” Sermon. Click here. July 14, 2024
–Bible quotes are from the NIV.