In 1 Kings 18 we read of the great victory on Mount Carmel when Elijah proved that God was so much more powerful than the demon gods worshipped by Jezebel and the prophets of Baal. But suddenly, hearing of the kings threat to kill him, he ran for his life.
The king of Aram was enraged with Elisha because of his prophetic gift and decided to seek him out. His army went by night and surrounded the place where Elisha was staying. When the servant looked out the following morning he was shocked, afraid at being surrounded by the enemy.
This is a picturesque verse in the middle of a chapter extolling the power and glory of God and His Son. There are more verses in Hebrews that are taken directly from the Old Testament than any other New Testament book. In this chapter alone there are seven of them.
The Lord delivers us. The psalmist David had many troubles, and many reasons to fear through much of his life. But he never lost his confidence in the God who could save. And God never let him down. What God did for David, He will do for you and me.
This is one of several nail-biting episodes in Daniel. Three government officials refused to bow to any statue, declaring that Jehovah was the only God to be worshipped. They were thrown into a fiery furnace. Even many people who have not read the Bible have heard of these faithful ones.
Things had become difficult for the disciples. James had been killed, and Peter had been imprisoned by King Herod. This time Peter was alone but with 16 soldiers to guard him! Herod took no chances, he had heard how the disciples had been freed earlier, so he multiplied the guard!
The book of Acts is one exciting story after another. Sometimes there were difficult experiences, but the Lord ALWAYS had the upper hand. Jesus warned us that in this world we will have trouble but He continued in the same verse to tell us that He has overcome the world.
Believers today are longing for this day described in this verse when Jesus returns to earth. But sadly there are still many in the world who have no idea who Jesus is, and what the plans God has for the end of our world as we know it, will be.
At first reading, this verse could be referring to John the Baptist, preparing the way for Jesus to come. If we read on, we can also translate messenger here as Holy Spirit preparing the way for the return of Jesus. Maybe it is both. The word in Hebrew is Malak.
Chapter 4 of the gospel of Matthew begins with the account of the temptation of Jesus Christ in the wilderness. The most striking verse is the first one which tells us that He was led by Holy Spirit into the wilderness so that He would be tempted by the devil!!
EN 
FR