David often looked up and saw his enemies encamped in the mountains surrounding Jerusalem. When your enemies are in the high places you are at a distinct disadvantage, but David looked beyond the physical.
I lift my eyes up to the mountains — where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of Heaven and Earth. He will not let your foot slip — He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. (Psalm 121:1-4)
In another psalm, David lets the mountains remind him of God’s encompassing presence.
As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore. (Psalm 125:2)
“Lord, let us think like David… and every now and then, let us see like Elisha.” It was only natural for Elisha’s servant to worry and fret when he saw the enemy all around. “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.”
But Elisha saw the supernatural and knew they were safe. “‘Don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ 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.” (see II Kings 6:8-23)
We know we are to walk by faith and not by sight, but God has an uncanny way of helping his children. Jesus is the Author and Perfecter of our faith, and part of his strategy is for us to encourage and pray for one another. “God is with us!” “His love never fails!” “Let’s not doubt, but believe.”
The Lord watches over you — the Lord is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all harm — he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. (Psalm 121:5-8)