What Would Jesus Do?

2 Kings 3:9-12 -  So the king of Israel went with the king of Judah and the king of Edom, and they marched on that roundabout route seven days; and there was no water for the army, nor for the animals that followed them.  And the king of Israel said, "Alas! For the Lord has called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab."  But Jehoshaphat said, "Is there no prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of the Lord by him?" So one of the servants of the king of Israel answered and said, "Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah."  And Jehoshaphat said, "The word of the Lord is with him." So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.

 

The Moabites had stopped paying the tribute taxes and sending huge numbers of sheep to the king of Israel. They were a sort of rent payment…because Israel controlled the land.  It was a rebellious act of the new king of Moab…the son of the one who had made the agreement. Unacceptable to the king of Israel…he convinced the king of Judah and the king of Edom to go with him to battle. 

 

They took a sneaky route through the wilderness….in hopes of making a surprise attack…but they did not take enough water with them.  The wilderness had no water supply either…so they found themselves quickly in dire need of water for themselves and their animals. King Jehoram blamed God…but King Jehoshaphat sought God’s counsel…and sent for Elisha. 

 

Elisha quickly rebuked the king of Israel for his wicked ways….but agreed to seek God’s will for the sake of King Jehoshaphat.  So he called for a musician to play music…to soothe his troubled sprit…to help him calm his judgemental thoughts…so he could hear God’s new words of direction….and find water for this group of travelers.  The story had a great ending….Elisha heard the word of God….he told them to dig trenches for the water God would spring up out of the ground…and even gave them a word of victory for the battle to come.

 

The lesson in this story for me is to never conform completely to a group of people you may link yourself to for a time.  The simple truth is ….that we live in a world of mixed believers….everyone does not believe in Christ.  Just as Jehoshaphat had the courage to call for a Prophet of god…we must have the courage to speak his truth when we find that God has placed us in the midst of unbelievers for a time. We simply do not have to go along with the crowd...because we are the only one of three who believes something is wrong.

 

The problem is that we don’t get to send for a prophet…. and play soothing music for him…. and then wait for him to speak the truth of God.  God has placed his spirit inside each of us who believe in him.  We must find our own quiet place…and seek his answers from the Bible he left us….and prayerfully search the hearts of our Christian friends for counsel when it is unclear.  We must have the courage to speak out loud the question….What would Jesus do?

 

Father…thank you for this story that gives me courage to stand on my own convictions sometimes.   Give me the courage of Jehoshaphat….to be the odd man out …and be the one who speaks up for God’s way.  Help me to recognize the directions you have for me in all situations…and seek your guidance in all that I do.  Help me to always seek your counsel in Godly people and the word of truth when I need answers…..help me to always ask ….What would Jesus do?   Amen.

Ask For A Double Portion

2 Kings 2:8-10 -  Now Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water; and it was divided this way and that, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground.  And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?" Elisha said, "Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me."  So he said, You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so."

 

Elijah’s time on Earth was coming to an end…but his departure from the Earth was nothing ordinary.  Elisha could not stand to be parted from his teacher for one more second than necessary…so he refused to stay in the towns they traveled through to reach the spot God had chosen to take Elijah up to heaven in a chariot of fire. God’s confirmation of his last wish from his teacher came as he personally watched Elijah be carried into the sky….his life fully intact. The double portion of Elijah’s spirit he received n that moment would allow Elisha to continue the work of God with boldness and confidence.

 

It must have been a bittersweet moment to this student…for the promotion of power and status came with the loss of his beloved teacher.  He had to quickly put behind him any feelings of grief and sorrow...so he could begin the ministry God had planned for him. That may be why God allowed him to pick up Elijah’s mantle…perhaps as a symbol of the power that had just been transferred to him.

 

It is a reminder to me to ask for great gifts as Elisha did.  Perhaps I will be blessed with double portions if I have the boldness to ask for them. It is also a reminder to use the power God gives us to do his work….for Elisha wasted no time purifying the water of the first town he came too….that was thought to be the cause of miscarriage and death.

 

Father…thank you for this story that reminds me that you can impart power to anyone you wish. So I ask this morning for you to unleash in me the power to do what you placed me on this earth to do.  Guide me to the well of dead water that you need me to heal with the simple tools you are equipping me with.  Ho me how to be a bold and confident servant like Elisha. Amen.

Call On God's Power

2 Kings 1:13-15 -  Again, he sent a third captain of fifty with his fifty men. And the third captain of fifty went up, and came and fell on his knees before Elijah, and pleaded with him, and said to him: "Man of God, please let my life and the life of these fifty servants of yours be precious in your sight.  Look, fire has come down from heaven and burned up the first two captains of fifties with their fifties. But let my life now be precious in your sight."  And the angel of the Lord said to Elijah, "Go down with him; do not be afraid of him." So he arose and went down with him to the king.

 

King Ahaziah had fallen through his patio roof and injured himself so bad that he was bedridden.  He was so concerned about his health that he sent someone to inquire of the god Baal-Zebub if he would ever be able to leave his bed. God immediately sent word to Elijah to go ask him via these messengers they used back then …was it because there were no gods in Israel that he asked some other god instead of him.

 

Elijah did exactly what he was told…but it made the king so mad that he sent a captain in charge of 50 men to go get Elijah and bring him back. Elijah called fire down from heaven to destroy the first group…and the second group the king sent to fetch him….but the third captain had a quality that saved not only his life …but the life of his fifty men.  His humility and humble attitude asked mercy from Elijah…and brought an angel of God from heaven to tell Elijah is was okay to go to the king.

 

The humility and respect the captain showed for God’s power is something that we should all strive to place in our hearts.  Our attitudes should always have a sense that God can do anything we ask him too. Elijah stood on that spot…confident that he was a man of God…and he would send that fire down to prove he was the only God.  He wanted to send king Ahaziah a clear message.  The god he believed in was nothing compared to Jehovah.  He was so sure of his faith that even a powerful captain of the king’s army knew he was right and feared even for his life.

 

David understood this concept and recorded his epiphany in Psalms 62:11… “Once God has spoken; twice have I heard this: that power belongs to God.”   Jesus healed with this power and the disciples cast out demons with it. And I just bet many of you could add a comment to this post sharing a story of your own miracle that came to you because you called on the same power that Elijah did. I believe with all my heart that if we tap into the real existence of God’s power …that many will come to know his love through the miracles he does in all our lives.

 

Father…I thank you for the reminder that you are the only God…and your power can do anything we ask. Help me to see your perfect will for my life so I can feel your great power doing miracles around me. Make me into your bold and confident servant…who feels your power within me like Elijah...and uses it to glorify and show others your perfect love that can save them from the evil around them. Amen

Stand For God Only

1Kings 22:5-8 -  Also Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, "Please inquire for the word of the Lord today."  Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said to them, "Shall I go against Ramoth Gilead to fight, or shall I refrain?" So they said, "Go up, for the Lord will deliver it into the hand of the king."  And Jehoshaphat said, "Is there not still a prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of Him?"  So the king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, "There is still one man, Micaiah the son of Imlah, by whom we may inquire of the Lord; but I hate him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil." And Jehoshaphat said, "Let not the king say such things!"

 

The nation was still split…being ruled by two kings….and they were getting along and being peaceful.  Ahab… decided it was time to go win control over the Syrians….but he knew he had no chance unless he banded together with his brothers from Judah.  Jehoshaphat thought it was a great idea…but cautioned his brother to ask God what he thought first.

 

In his usual selfish demeanor…Ahab had gathered around him nearly 400 men…so called prophets...that quickly told the two kings that it was a great idea. But Jehoshaphat saw through the charade Ahab had built around him and called for at least one prophet that would speak only what God said to speak. Then he listened as king Ahab confirmed his thoughts…..and told him of Micaiah.

 

Jehoshaphat quickly rebuked his brother….recognizing the man of God as the one true word they should follow. But somehow was talked into battle anyway….and as Micaiah had prophesied… king Ahab was killed by a random arrow…dogs licking up his blood in the end. Jehoshaphat remained king in Judah…as as the evil son of Ahab…. Ahaziah….continued to worship other gods and allow satan’s influence to corrupt the nation of Israel.

 

It is an example of what happens when we allow the world to influence our decisions …instead of holding strong to the words he placed in his Bible for us to live by. The odds will always be in satan’s favor….tempting us to follow the path most trodden. The world’s advice is easier to follow most days…for it seems more politically correct.

 

God’s way is still right…and we must pray for the strength and courage to stand strong like Micaiah.  He was imprisoned in the end for speaking just God’s word…proving his words from the Lord were true.  We have to be ready to stand for Christ…no matter what friends we might lose …or jobs we might miss out on. Maybe the story of Micaiah was one of Paul’s inspirations.  He ended up in prison quite a bit for his preaching too.

 

Father…I pray this morning for courage to stand only for you this day.  Give me courage and strength to be your voice among the thousands that might be still locked in a material world.  Thank you for this story of one prophet…who spoke your word…even if it meant his life would end in prison. Help me to be bold and unafraid to speak your words…despite how it will affect me on this Earth. Amen.

True Humility Is Remorseful

1 Kings 21:27-29 -  So it was, when Ahab heard those words, that he tore his clothes and put sackcloth on his body, and fasted and lay in sackcloth, and went about mourning.  And the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,  "See how Ahab has humbled himself before Me? Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the calamity in his days. In the days of his son I will bring the calamity on his house."

 

Ahab had done great evil in the sight of his people.  He allowed the influence of the totally immoral queen Jezebel to lead him far away from the will of God. Together…they were a match that took what they wanted….with no thoughts of how it would hurt someone else.  Ahab wanted a farm that was not for sale…so Jezebel found two people to lie in court and had Naboth stoned….then king Ahab took it from the rightful owners.

 

It wasn’t until God told Elijah to go and speak to Ahab of his sin that he realized he had done anything wrong.  He was clearly convicted of his evil ways….humbling himself by fasting….and dressing in sackcloth….and mourning.  It wasn’t just an act…for God saw his remorse and lessened the curse he had placed upon his family. 

 

It almost makes me wish that God still spoke to us through his prophets face to face….and we still wore sackcloth when we felt convicted of our sins.  But we live in different times ….and the outward signs of remorse are so easily replicated that true humility would be hard to recognize. God looks at the heart…..and we are expected to listen to him through the godly people he places around us…and the study of his Bible. Every answer we need is in there….maybe part of how God measures our current day humility is how often we search for answers in it.

 

Father….I thank you for this story that reminds me to listen to the voices of the godly people you place around me.  I thank you for reminding me that you placed every answer I need to live my life in the Bible you gave to us so long ago. Give me ears that listen to what you give people to say to me…and eyes to read the words in your Bible that will direct my path for the next days.  Give me the wisdom to understand what they say and what I read.  Then give my heart the ability to recognize when I have strayed off your path…and need to change direction.  Let me show the active remorse of Ahab’s…that exposes my heart of sorrow for what I may have done….so I can receive the great forgiveness and mercy your son gave me when he gave his life on that cross. Amen.

Ask God To Clear Up Your Confusion

1 Kings 20:13-14 -   Meanwhile a prophet came to Ahab king of Israel and announced, "This is what the LORD says: 'Do you see this vast army? I will give it into your hand today, and then you will know that I am the LORD.' "  "But who will do this?" asked Ahab. The prophet replied, "This is what the LORD says: 'The young officers of the provincial commanders will do it.' " "And who will start the battle?" he asked. The prophet answered, "You will."

 

The Lord allowed several enemies to rise against Israel….for he wanted to teach them that he alone was God. King Ahab was too eager to give in at first….quickly agreeing to give all his wives and children to the king of Syria.  But he reached his limit…and God sent a prophet to confirm that he was doing the right thing by setting boundaries.  It was in this moment of confusion that God sent another prophet to clarify and give more details for the victory he was going to give Israel.

 

It confirms my belief that confusion is clearly an emotion that is not of God.  1 Corinthians 14:33 says …. “For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints.” It was Paul who wrote these great words for a church that was still struggling with the confusion of satan… his words of clarity give me such hope for the future….as 1 Corinthians 13:12 say…. “ For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.”

 

King Ahab started out with the right idea…he did ask God a few important questions about how they would win a battle against such a large army….but them he slacked off…and let the king of Syria go free.  He choice put a curse of death on his life…an exchange explained by the prophet as his life for the life he set free. 

 

It reminds me to use my whole Bible…and not just pick and choose the pieces I like the best.  Jesus told us in one of his great sermons recorded in Matthew to seek and ask so he could give us the good things he has planned for us.  Matthew 7:7 says….  "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”  That makes it pretty clear to me. The answer is there…if I just ask God where to find it.

 

Father…I thank you for this story that reminds me that you are a God of wisdom and knowledge.  Help me to remember the promises of your great word… that says you have all the answers I need ..if I stop each time  I feel confused and ask you to clear the chaff satan has placed there to confuse me. Help me father to know that you alone are God…and you have the power to clear up any and all confusion satan has placed in my mind. Open my mind to the clearest answers you have prepared for my current struggles…and give me the wisdom to know how to interpret the words I find. Amen.

Can You Hear God's Whisper?

1 Kings 19:11-14 -  The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake.  After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.  When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

 

Elijah…scared …. frustrated …. Emotionally tired…ran from Jezebel.  The man who had just brought down 850 prophets of Baal and Asherah…. was afraid of one woman….Jezebel.  He was so afraid…and tired….and frustrated…that he ran a day’s journey…collapsed beneath a tree and prayed to die. As his eyes shut to a sleep… he thought that he was the only one left that loved and followed God.

 

Thank goodness God did not grant his request….he just comforted and cared for Elijah.  He sent an angel…to wake him and have him eat…a hot cake baked on coals…and a jar of water …two times. Then God allowed him to travel another forty days to mount Horeb…the very mountain that Moses was allowed to speak with God…and watch him write the 10 commandments.

 

As he slept in a cave that night…God appeared to him and asked him what he was doing…  he told him to go outside the cave and prepare to see God. God was not in the mightiness of the wind….or the strength of the Earthquake … or even the brilliance of the fire …  God was in a simple whisper.  God told Elijah in a soft voice he needed to go back the way he came….and finish the work he put him on the Earth to do.  And made sure Elijah was corrected in his assumption that he was the only one who still believed in him.  God knew the names of 7,000 men who had not bowed down to Baal or kissed his statues.

 

I love the image of God that this scripture paints for me.  A loving…nurturing…caring God…who allowed Elijah his pity party….then fed him…and let him rest.  Elijah’s forty day trip to Mount Horeb …. was probably spent in fasting and prayer as he walked to the mountain of God.  Elijah knew he could find God there…as Moses had years earlier….so he searched him out …to answer his questions of frustration and fear.

 

God was not the loud voice of the wind…or the destruction and strength of an earthquake…..or even the bright brilliance of a fire.   God was a simple whispered voice…so quiet that Elijah had to really listen to hear it…and know God’s plans for the next season of his life.  God told him to go back the way he came…  like he told Moses….and Jonah….and Paul.  He told him to go back and finish the job he had given him to do…and let God worry about the details of that mean queen Jezebel.  He told him to go back and anoint two kings….that would take care of any other problems…then anoint the next prophet of God….Elisha. It has me thinking this morning… what have I possibly run away from…before I finished a job God gave me to do there. I guess I had better be listening for a still quiet voice… a whisper in the night…to tell me what to do… and prepare myself to go back where he tells me to go.

 

Father…I am amazed at your love more and more every day.  I thank you for this story that tells me that your love is simple and complete….requiring us to finish what we start for you.  Help me listen for your still small voice…and know that you have empowered me with all that I need to do the work you sent me to do.  Help me to face my task with the boldness of the wind …the strength of the earthquake…..and the light of your fire in my soul.  Amen.