Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 1-4; Psalm 86; John 6:1-15

Elijah knew God was about to take him to heaven and so he said to his assistant Elisha, “Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken away.” Without hesitation, Elisha replied, “Please let me inherit a double portion of your spirit and become your successor” (2 Kings 2:9). In other words, I WANT WHAT YOU HAVE!

God saw the desire of Elisha’s heart. He saw that this request was not for his own glory or to boost his own pride, but that he wanted to live the kind of life that would make an impact on those around him. He felt God calling him and was praying for God to richly equip him for his calling. His prayer was very similar to the prayer of King Solomon, asking God to give him wisdom to fulfill God’s purpose in his life. Elisha had been watching God work in a mighty way through Elijah and he desired for God to use him in the same way. And that is exactly what God did.

ELISHA ASKED FOR A DOUBLE PORTION OF THE SPIRIT AND WAS ABLE TO DO MIRACULOUS THINGS.

Just as Elijah had done, Elisha was able to part the waters of the Jordan River and walk across on dry land (2 Kings 2:14).

Elisha came to the city of Jericho, whose unclean water source was causing death and infertility. The impact on the soil was causing the land to be unproductive, which was affecting their food supply. Elisha placed salt in the water supply and healed the water, breathing new life into the town (2 Kings 2:19-21).

By having a double portion of the Spirit, Elisha was able to enter God’s presence and hear from God. God spoke through Elisha telling the kings that He would provide water for their men and animals, as well as victory over their enemy (2 Kings 3:15-18).

There was a widow of one of the prophets whose sons were about to be sold as slaves in order to repay her debt. Elisha was able to take the only thing she had left, a flask of olive oil, and make it a source of income for her. Using the small flask, they were able to fill every available jar in the village with olive oil. By doing this, God provided for the widow and her two sons (2 Kings 4:1-7).

Elisha wanted to thank a woman who had been kind to him by providing him with a place to stay. He inquired as to what she needed and found out that she did not have a son. Elisha prophesied, “Next year at this time you will be holding a son in your arms,” and that is exactly what happened (2 Kings 4:8-17). When that same boy died and his mother grieved heavily, Elisha was able to stretch himself out across the child and bring him back to life (2 Kings 4:18-35).

When poisonous fruit was mistakenly added to a stew being prepared for the prophets during a time of famine, Elisha was able to add flour to the stew and heal it so that the group would have something to eat (2 Kings 4:38-41).

During this same time of famine, Elisha was able to bless a sack of bread and have it feed a large group of people with food leftover. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? (2 Kings 4:42-44)

SO WHY DON’T WE ASK GOD FOR A DOUBLE PORTION OF HIS SPIRIT?

What stops us from asking God for a double portion of His Spirit so that God can use us in a mighty way in the lives of those around us? With the Spirit in our lives, dry ground can be walked upon, water can be healed, God can be heard, needs can be provided, wombs can be filled, the dead can be raised, the hungry can be fed, the sick can be healed, the lost can be found, and enemies can be defeated.

If we are not living that kind of life, perhaps it is because we have not asked God to do those kinds of miracles around us. Perhaps we are not living the kind of faith that expects God to move mightily ahead of us. Or perhaps our prayer needs to start by asking God to change the desires of our heart — to send His Spirit to create in us a desire to do what God desires to do today. Perhaps we need to go beyond believing in what God can do and dare to believe that He wants to do it through us today.

I WANT WHAT YOU HAVE!

Heavenly Father, may I have a double portion please? May I have more of your Spirit than I have ever had before. I want to do more than just survive my week; I want to be used by God in a powerful way through the infilling of His Spirit. Dear God, I WANT ALL YOU HAVE TO GIVE ME! Lord, I give you my heart and ask for you to make it beat in unison with yours.

You are my God…
I give myself to you…
You are great and perform wonderful deeds.
You alone are God.
Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth!
Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.
With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God.
I will give glory to your name forever,
for your love for me is great. – Psalm 86:2,4,10-13a

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 22, 2 Chronicles 18, Psalm 133, John 7:14-24

How wonderful and pleasant it is
when brothers live together in harmony! – Psalm 133:1

There was peace between Aram and Israel for the next three years. During a friendly visit of the two leaders, King Ahab of Israel pointed out to King Jehosophat of Judah that the town of Ramoth-gilead belonged to the Jews.

Then he turned to Jehoshaphat and asked, “Will you join me in battle to recover Ramoth-gilead?”
Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, “Why, of course! You and I are as one. My troops are your troops, and my horses are your horses.” Then Jehoshaphat added, “But first let’s find out what the Lord says.” – 1 Kings 22:1-5

SEEKING TO DISCERN THE TRUTH OF GOD

What a great idea! Checking to see what God wants us to do is always a good place to start. King Ahab went to 400 of his prophets and asked them to tell him if he should start a war against Ramoth-gilead or not. They assured him that the Lord would give him victory. But King Jehoshaphat recognized that these prophets were speaking independently of God, so he asked if there was a prophet of the Lord that they could seek advice from.

King Ahab hated Micaiah son of Imlah, but he called for him to appear before him, just as Jehoshaphat had requested. All of Ahab’s prophets were promising the kings that they would be victorious, because that is what Ahab wanted to hear. But Micaiah was a man of God, and he refused to listen to anyone but the Lord. He was willing to say what someone needed to hear, even if it was not what they wanted to hear.

Meanwhile, the messenger who went to get Micaiah said to him, “Look, all the prophets are promising victory for the king. Be sure that you agree with them and promise success.”
But Micaiah replied, “As surely as the Lord lives, I will say only what the Lord tells me to say.” – 1 Kings 22:13-14

COMMITTED TO SPEAKING ONLY TRUTH

Micaiah went on to explain that God had caused a lying spirit to deceive the prophets of Ahab — to tell Ahab to go into battle so that he would be killed. Ahab was angry and threw Micaiah into prison for not telling him what he wanted to hear. He put on a disguise so that he would not be recognized in battle, for the king of Aram had commanded his army not to kill anyone but the king of Israel.

An Aramean soldier, however, randomly shot an arrow at the Israelite troops and hit the king of Israel between the joints of his armor. “Turn the horses and get me out of here!” Ahab groaned to the driver of his chariot. “I’m badly wounded!” – 1 Kings 22:34

How often do we succumb to the pressure to say what someone else wants to hear? We take the easy way out instead of speaking the truth that the Lord has made clear in scripture. It is not always popular to stand strong for what God has declared as truth, but there is death ahead for those who reject God’s ways. Speaking anything less than God’s truth may seem like the compassionate thing to do, but it does not change what God has commanded.

WE MUST SAY WHAT GOD HAS INSTRUCTED US TO SAY, EVEN IF IT PROVOKES ANGER OR HATE.

“Those who speak for themselves want glory only for themselves, but a person who seeks to honor the one who sent him speaks truth, not lies.” – John 7:18

Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. – Ephesians 4:14-16

SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE

Father God, may we stand firm in what you have taught us. May we speak the truth of God in love, even when it is less than popular with those around us. Fill us with your Spirit and guide us as we respond to the chaos of the world we live in. Help us distinguish between the lies that cause fear and the truth that brings peace. May we courageously be the voice of truth that the world so desperately needs to hear. Amen.

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 21; Psalm 138; James 3:13-16

King Ben-hadad of Aram had challenged the Israelites to a battle, but they were losing. 100,000 Aramean soldiers had died in battle, and another 27,000 had died when a wall randomly fell on them. Ben-hadad ran from the Israelites and hid in a secret room.

Ben-hadad’s officers said to him, “Sir, we have heard that the kings of Israel are merciful. So let’s humble ourselves by wearing burlap around our waists and putting ropes on our heads, and surrender to the king of Israel. Then perhaps he will let you live.” – 1 Kings 20:31

HUMBLED AND SURRENDERED

And that is exactly what happened. Ben-hadad put on burlap and ropes to show that he was grieving. He apologized for his aggressive behavior against the Israelites, and promised to make restitution. King Ahab had mercy on Ben-hadad, forgiving him for his many indiscretions.

In the Bible, to wear a sackcloth or burlap garment was a sign of grieving. In self-humiliation, the individual would put on sackcloth to show that they were submitting to another person or to God. Ben-hadad draped himself in sackcloth, and King Ahab forgave him. A new treaty was made between the two kings, and Ahab gave the King of Aram his freedom, even though God had instructed otherwise. For his disobedience, God let Ahab know he would soon die, and Ahab returned home angry and sullen.

ANGRY AND SULLEN

Now there was a man named Naboth, from Jezreel, who owned a vineyard in Jezreel beside the palace of King Ahab of Samaria. One day Ahab said to Naboth, “Since your vineyard is so convenient to my palace, I would like to buy it to use as a vegetable garden. I will give you a better vineyard in exchange, or if you prefer, I will pay you for it.” – 1 Kings 21:1-2

But the vineyard was Naboth’s inheritance, and it represented the hard work of those who had gone before him, so he declined the king’s offer. And once more the king returned home angry and sullen. He laid in bed with his face to the wall, refusing to eat. His wife, Jezebel, created a scheme to have Naboth killed so that Ahab could get what he wanted — the vineyard that did not belong to him.

The prophet Elijah was sent by God to let Ahab know how angry He was: “I have come because you have sold yourself to what is evil in the Lord’s sight. So now the Lord says, ‘I will bring disaster on you and consume you. I will destroy every one of your male descendants, slave and free alike, anywhere in Israel! I am going to destroy your family as I did the family of Jeroboam son of Nebat and the family of Baasha son of Ahijah, for you have made me very angry and have led Israel into sin’” (1 Kings 21: 20b-22).

Ahab had sold himself to evil more than anyone else had, and there would be a price to pay for his idolatry and disobedience. Instead of becoming angry and sullen, this time Ahab dressed in burlap and mourned the life he had lived and the death that was imminent. And God was pleased with Ahab’s genuine show of regret and humility.

HUMBLED AND SURRENDERED

If you are wise and understand God’s ways, prove it by living an honorable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your heart, don’t cover up the truth with boasting and lying. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and demonic. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and evil of every kind. – James 3:13-16

It is our heart to please you today, Lord. Thank you for the reminder that you are calling us to live an honorable life, bearing fruit with a heart of humility. Reveal in us any seeds of jealousy and self-ambition. When what we want means someone else cannot have what is rightfully theirs, may we submit to your authority and be grateful for what you have given us. May we be less worried about our own rights and the rights of our children than we are concerned about the needs of others. Show us what we have made an idol in our lives, and give us a heart that mirrors the desires of your heart.

Lord, we show our gratitude today for the many ways in which you have blessed our nation. We humbly pray for the hearts of our fellow countrymen to be fully surrendered to you, our God and our King. We pray that in all of our celebrations, you are glorified first and foremost. You are a good God and we love you. Amen.

Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble,
but he keeps his distance from the proud. – Psalm 138:6

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 20, Psalm 21; Revelation 8:6-9:21

The story of Elijah reminds us that our God is the God who provides. When Elijah needed a place to hide, God provided safety by Kerith Brook. He sent ravens to bring Elijah bread and meat every morning and every evening. Then God allowed the brook to dry up because He needed to use Elijah in the life of a widow who was running out of food. God showed up and provided more than enough. Then the widow’s son died and God heard Elijah’s prayer, raising her son from the dead.

When Elijah needed to prove to the nation that there is only one true god, God provided evidence of His existence and His power. He provided fire for Elijah’s sacrifice and He provided the much needed rain for His people. When things got rough for Elijah, God came through again, providing His presence to remind Elijah that He is always with us and that we can always trust Him. In today’s scripture, we find the faithfulness of God providing victory for His people over and over again.

THE BATTLE IS NOT YOURS, BUT GOD’S

As I read through the accounts of the Kings of Judah and Israel, it is encouraging to me how often God fought the battle for His people. All they had to do was position themselves, commit fully to Him, sit back, and watch the victory.

When Judah realized that they were being attacked from the front and the rear, they cried out to the Lord for help. Then the priests blew the trumpets, and the men of Judah began to shout. At the sound of their battle cry, GOD DEFEATED Jeroboam and all Israel and routed them before Abijah and the army of Judah. – 2 Chronicles 13:14-15

This is what the Lord says, “Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow, march out against them…But you will not even need to fight. Take your positions; then stand still and WATCH THE LORD’S VICTORY. He is with you, O people of Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out against them tomorrow, for the Lord is with you!” – 2 Chronicles 20:15b-17

But the Israelite army looked like two little flocks of goats in comparison to the vast Aramean forces that filled the countryside! Then the man of God went to the king of Israel and said, “This is what the Lord says: The Arameans have said, ‘The Lord is a god of the hills and not of the plains.’ SO I WILL DEFEAT THIS ARMY FOR YOU. Then you will know that I am the Lord.”

The two armies camped opposite each other for seven days, and on the seventh day the battle began. The Israelites killed 100,000 Aramean foot soldiers in one day. The rest fled into the town of Aphek, but the wall fell on them and killed another 27,000. – 1 Kings 20:27b-30a

THE LORD WILL FIGHT FOR YOU!

King Ben-hadad of Aram surrounded Samaria with his army. There was a great famine in the city. Four men with leprosy decided they were going to die if they stayed in the city, so they decided to surrender to the Aramean army. At twilight they set out for the army’s camp, but when they arrived they found the camp was empty. The Lord had caused the four men to sound like a great army headed towards the camp, striking fear in the hearts of the Arameans. They fled for their lives, leaving behind their tents, horses, donkeys and everything else. Just imagine the sight of these four lepers walking back to Samaria with the good news! (2 Kings 6:24-25a; 7:3-7)

In the 39th year of his reign, Asa developed a serious foot disease. Yet even with the severity of his disease, he did not seek the Lord’s help but turned only to his physicians. So he died in the 41st year of his reign. – 2 Chronicles 16:12-13

SEEK THE LORD’S HELP

You may face a giant battle ahead of you, but the Lord says, “Do not be afraid! Stand still and watch the Lord’s victory.”

You may feel outnumbered, but the Lord says, “I will defeat this army for you. Then you will know that I am the Lord.”

You may have lost all hope but the Lord can cause the enemy to panic and run. The Lord can provide for your needs.

You may be fighting a battle against disease or sickness. Do not rely ONLY on physicians but seek the Lord’s help as well.

And everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us! – 1 Samuel 17:47

The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord. – Proverbs 21:31

POSITION YOURSELF, SIT BACK AND WATCH THE VICTORY!

How the king rejoices in your strength, O Lord!
He shouts with joy because you give him victory.
For you have given him his heart’s desire; you have withheld nothing he requested.
You welcomed him back with success and prosperity.
You placed a crown of finest gold on his head.
He asked you to preserve his life, and you granted his request.
The days of his life stretch on forever.
Your victory brings him great honor, and you have clothed him with splendor and majesty.
You have endowed him with eternal blessings and given him the joy of your presence.
For the king trusts in the Lord.
The unfailing love of the Most High will keep him from stumbling. – Psalm 21:1-7

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 19:19-21; Luke 9:57-62; Psalm 22

And a voice said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”

He replied again, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty. But the people of Israel have broken their covenant with you, torn down your altars, and killed every one of your prophets. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”

Then the Lord told him, “Go back the same way you came, and travel to the wilderness of Damascus. When you arrive there, anoint Hazael to be king of Aram. Then anoint Jehu grandson of Nimshi to be king of Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from the town of Abel-meholah to replace you as my prophet. – 1 Kings 19:13b-16

MINISTRY CAN TAKE A TOLL ON THOSE WHO ARE CALLED.

It is a privilege to live out the call that God has placed on your life, but ministry can be difficult. The mountain top experiences are absolutely wonderful. When the hearts of God’s people are worshiping in full surrender, lost souls are finding new life in Christ, and everyone is singing the praises of the leadership, ministry is life-giving. But with these great moments of affirmation also come the times of questioning and resisting, quarreling and complaining.

But I am a worm and not a man.
I am scorned and despised by all!
Everyone who sees me mocks me.
They sneer and shake their heads, saying,
“Is this the one who relies on the Lord?
Then let the Lord save him!
If the Lord loves him so much,
let the Lord rescue him!” – Psalm 22:6-8

Leadership can be lonely, and there are times when we wonder if it is worth it. There is an overwhelming feeling that we are alone in our efforts — that no one appreciates our hard work and long hours. It is in these moments when we can begin to feel sorry for ourselves. We consider quitting, or we begin longing for the day when we can retire. We even consider telling God to find someone else to complete the assignment; we find ourselves tired and ready to quit.

GOD UNDERSTOOD WHAT ELIJAH WAS FEELING AND PROVIDED FOR HIM ONCE AGAIN.

Elijah had obediently done everything God had asked him to, and the threats against his life were taking their toll on his emotions. He still trusted God to provide, but he was weary from the battle. So once again God provided for Elijah by giving him an assistant to help him finish out his call. It was time to start training his successor.

So Elijah went and found Elisha son of Shaphat plowing a field. There were twelve teams of oxen in the field, and Elisha was plowing with the twelfth team. Elijah went over to him and threw his cloak across his shoulders and then walked away. Elisha left the oxen standing there, ran after Elijah, and said to him, “First let me go and kiss my father and mother good-bye, and then I will go with you!”

Elijah replied, “Go on back, but think about what I have done to you.” – 1 Kings 19:19-20

This passage reminds me of the words of Jesus when he called a man to follow him, and the man’s response was to ask if he could first go home and bury his father. The man was willing to follow God but wanted his obedience to be in the timing that was most convenient for him. Once his father had passed away and his duties were completed, then he would be available to give Jesus as much time as he wanted. Not now; maybe later.

But Jesus told him, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.”
Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.”
But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” – Luke 9:60-62

DELAYED OBEDIENCE IS DISOBEDIENCE.

But Elisha’s response was different from this New Testament man. Elisha’s pause was not resisting God’s plan; it was taking the time to dedicate himself fully to the Lord. He was preparing for ministry — putting to death his old life in order to fully embrace the life God was calling him to. Elisha was letting go of what he had been holding onto in order to come to God with empty hands.

So Elisha returned to his oxen and slaughtered them. He used the wood from the plow to build a fire to roast their flesh. He passed around the meat to the townspeople, and they all ate. Then he went with Elijah as his assistant. – 1 Kings 19:21

Lord, we come to you this morning with the willingness to fully submit to your call on our life. GIve us the strength to let go of anything that is holding us back from living fully focused on you. May we trust you for what the next chapter looks like — whether it’s a necessary ending or a new beginning.

I will praise you in the great assembly.
I will fulfill my vows in the presence of those who worship you.
The poor will eat and be satisfied.
All who seek the Lord will praise him.
Their hearts will rejoice with everlasting joy.
The whole earth will acknowledge the Lord and return to him.
All the families of the nations will bow down before him.
For royal power belongs to the Lord.
He rules all the nations. – Psalm 22:25-28

Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 19:1-18; Psalm 20; James 5

Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge. – Psalm 16:1

WE SERVE THE GOD WHO PROVIDES AND THE GOD WHO STRENGTHENS.

As we look at what happened after Elijah faced off with the prophets of Baal at Mount Carmel — when God provided the fire and when God provided the rain — we see that Elijah is once again in need of God’s providence and strength.

Ahab’s wife Jezebel was very unhappy when she heard the prophets of Baal were dead and she vowed to kill Elijah. Elijah ran in fear from his enemy, becoming so discouraged he prayed that he might die. But God provided once more for Elijah — the Lord provided sleep, food and water. Then He provided strength saying, “Get up and eat some more, for the journey ahead of you will be too much for you” (1 Kings 19:7b).

GOD DID NOT SPARE ELIJAH THE JOURNEY BUT STRENGTHENED HIM FOR WHAT WAS AHEAD.

“The journey ahead will be too much for you.” This journey would take 40 days and 40 nights. His destination: the mountain of God. God was about to provide one more thing for Elijah — His presence.

When Elijah arrived, God asked him a very important question: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Elijah was seeking God, and God gave Elijah the opportunity to say exactly what he wanted God to do for him. Then God gave Elijah the most precious of gifts — time in His presence.

“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. – 1 Kings 19:11-13

And now, as Elijah stood in His presence, God asked once more, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” And for the second time, Elijah answered, “I have zealously served the Lord God Almighty…and now they are trying to kill me, too.” (1 Kings 19:14)

This reminds me of the many times I have complained to God that I am going through a difficult time in spite of the fact that I have consistently served Him. I have in essence whined to God unnecessarily. God knows our heart and He knows when we have been faithful and when we have not.

GOD DOES NOT ALWAYS SPARE US THE JOURNEY, BUT HE IS ALWAYS WILLING TO STRENGTHEN US FOR WHAT IS AHEAD.

The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him. – 2 Chronicles 16:9

I encourage you to find time to enter into His presence today. Imagine God asking you, “What are you doing here?” What will you say? What do you want the God Who Provides and the God Who Strengthens to do for you during this season of life? It’s time for me to finish my morning coffee and do the same.

“O Lord, no one but you can help the powerless against the mighty! Help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in you alone.” – 2 Chronicles 14:11a

The Lord will stay with you as long as you stay with him! Whenever you seek him, you will find him…whenever they were in trouble and turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him out, they found him…Then they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord, the God of their ancestors, with all their heart and soul…They earnestly sought after God, and they found him. – 2 Chronicles 15:2,4,12,15

In times of trouble, may the Lord answer your cry.
May the name of the God of Jacob keep you safe from harm…
May he grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed…
May the Lord answer your prayers.
Now I know that the Lord rescues his anointed king.
He will answer him from his holy heaven and rescue him by his great power.
Some nations boast of their chariots and horses, but we boast in the name of the Lord our God.
Those nations will fall down and collapse, but we will rise up and stand firm. – Psalm 20:1,4,5b-8

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. – James 5:16b-18