1 Kings 5:11 & 13
"But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper....And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?"
Naaman was obviously a great, important man. He had but to ask and the king of Syria did as he bid. He was a great leader, had men under his command, and was used to power. Yet he was impotent, completely powerless in comparison to God.
This was obviously not a feeling he was used to, nor was it one he liked. Naaman had allowed his power and authority to go to his head. He had fallen into the snare of pride. And it nearly cost him his life, for then there was no cure for leprosy.
Humility is a fundamental key to being a Christian. It is not merely words to say that the first shall be last, God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble, these are truths to live our lives by. Everyday, every moment, living in the knowledge of who I am in regards to Who God is.
Am I walking humbly with my God?
Saturday, September 10, 2016
Far, Far Better
We do not run from sin only because it is evil and wrong, we run from sin and toward God because He is better.
Faithful Availability
2 Kings 5:1-2
"Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper. And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife."
Here we see two very different people used by God in very different ways. God gave deliverance to Syria "by him" (Naaman). God gave deliverance to Naaman through the little maid.
Naaman was in a position of power and influence and was used by God. The little maid was a captive, a servant a nobody. Yet she too was used by God.
Every child of God longs to be of service to their King and Father. The key we find in this passage is simple - availability. If we ask God to use us, then remain so busy with the cares of this world, we may miss our opportunity. The little maid was not distracted by her captivity, her homesickness, or what was probably a hopeless situation. She was focused on others and how she could love them. Naaman, despite his sickness, a disease that would normally be debilitating, was known as a mighty man of valor.
No matter my circumstances, God wants to use me. And He will, if I make myself available to Him and seek His will. Am I doing that today?
"Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper. And the Syrians had gone out by companies, and had brought away captive out of the land of Israel a little maid; and she waited on Naaman's wife."
Here we see two very different people used by God in very different ways. God gave deliverance to Syria "by him" (Naaman). God gave deliverance to Naaman through the little maid.
Naaman was in a position of power and influence and was used by God. The little maid was a captive, a servant a nobody. Yet she too was used by God.
Every child of God longs to be of service to their King and Father. The key we find in this passage is simple - availability. If we ask God to use us, then remain so busy with the cares of this world, we may miss our opportunity. The little maid was not distracted by her captivity, her homesickness, or what was probably a hopeless situation. She was focused on others and how she could love them. Naaman, despite his sickness, a disease that would normally be debilitating, was known as a mighty man of valor.
No matter my circumstances, God wants to use me. And He will, if I make myself available to Him and seek His will. Am I doing that today?
My Abundant Provider
2 Kings 4:44
"So he set it before them, and they did eat, and left thereof, according to the word of the LORD."
Throughout this chapter we have seen God demonstrate over and over that He is the abundant provider. The needs and desires of His children and near to His heart. He hears, He listens.
And not only does He meet our needs, He often goes a step beyond. There was no need to provide leftovers. The fact that the food miraculously was enough for all present was enough. Yet He went a step beyond. He provided abundantly.
How have I seen God's abundant provision in my life today? What can I do to thank Him?
"So he set it before them, and they did eat, and left thereof, according to the word of the LORD."
Throughout this chapter we have seen God demonstrate over and over that He is the abundant provider. The needs and desires of His children and near to His heart. He hears, He listens.
And not only does He meet our needs, He often goes a step beyond. There was no need to provide leftovers. The fact that the food miraculously was enough for all present was enough. Yet He went a step beyond. He provided abundantly.
How have I seen God's abundant provision in my life today? What can I do to thank Him?
Friday, September 2, 2016
Behold, The Child Was Dead
2 Kings 4:32
"And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed."
If you desire to grow in faith, you must be prepared to have that faith tested. When a vision dies, hope can soon follow. And faith is the substance of things hoped for. If hope dies, faith is hanging on by a thread.
This woman didn't believe Elisha when he said she would have a child. Her faith was nearly nonexistent. Yet when her son dies, she is able to say "it is well". Her faith had grown and was ready for the test.
This was also a test for Elisha. He appears to find it strange that God had not told him before hand about the child's death. Imagine, walking into the room, seeing the child you had prophesied would bring this family so much joy dead. But like the woman, Elisha knew who his God was. Knew Him deeply. And because of that his faith was firm.
What is my first thought when my vision dies?
"And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed."
If you desire to grow in faith, you must be prepared to have that faith tested. When a vision dies, hope can soon follow. And faith is the substance of things hoped for. If hope dies, faith is hanging on by a thread.
This woman didn't believe Elisha when he said she would have a child. Her faith was nearly nonexistent. Yet when her son dies, she is able to say "it is well". Her faith had grown and was ready for the test.
This was also a test for Elisha. He appears to find it strange that God had not told him before hand about the child's death. Imagine, walking into the room, seeing the child you had prophesied would bring this family so much joy dead. But like the woman, Elisha knew who his God was. Knew Him deeply. And because of that his faith was firm.
What is my first thought when my vision dies?
Do Not Lie
2 Kings 4:16
"And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid."
When we really stop to carefully consider God's love for us, it truly is unbelievable. As well as we know our own hearts, He knows us deeper. As clearly as we see our own faults and failures, He sees deeper. Yet despite all that, He loves us.
This woman received a blessing from God that was so out of her comprehension that she accused one of the greatest prophets of all time of being a liar. Yet it was true, and God's blessing was poured out on her.
What gift has God given me that seemed completely and utterly impossible? Do I take it for granted instead of appreciating it with marveling wonder?
"And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid."
When we really stop to carefully consider God's love for us, it truly is unbelievable. As well as we know our own hearts, He knows us deeper. As clearly as we see our own faults and failures, He sees deeper. Yet despite all that, He loves us.
This woman received a blessing from God that was so out of her comprehension that she accused one of the greatest prophets of all time of being a liar. Yet it was true, and God's blessing was poured out on her.
What gift has God given me that seemed completely and utterly impossible? Do I take it for granted instead of appreciating it with marveling wonder?
Empty Vessels
2 Kings 4:3-4
"Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full."
Here we see a powerful illustration of what is meant here:
Luke 6:38 "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."
And again here:
Matthew 10:39 "He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it."
Using human reasoning and logic, the widow would have been quite justified in making sure not one drop of oil left her pot. After all, it was all she had left. Pouring it out would be foolish. Yet we know that man's "wisdom" is foolishness compared to God's true wisdom. And more often than not, the two are diametrically opposed.
Only by pouring out and emptying all that was "hers" could the widow's giving be returned. So often we collect what we have and guard it ferociously, all the while calling our selfishness "good stewardship". God seeks to reward generosity. But He so seldom finds it. Give, and it will be given. It makes no sense to the world, it's an utter impossibility. Yet with God all things are possible.
Would I be willing to pour out my final possession? Do I give generously out of love and gratitude?
"Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full."
Here we see a powerful illustration of what is meant here:
Luke 6:38 "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again."
And again here:
Matthew 10:39 "He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it."
Using human reasoning and logic, the widow would have been quite justified in making sure not one drop of oil left her pot. After all, it was all she had left. Pouring it out would be foolish. Yet we know that man's "wisdom" is foolishness compared to God's true wisdom. And more often than not, the two are diametrically opposed.
Only by pouring out and emptying all that was "hers" could the widow's giving be returned. So often we collect what we have and guard it ferociously, all the while calling our selfishness "good stewardship". God seeks to reward generosity. But He so seldom finds it. Give, and it will be given. It makes no sense to the world, it's an utter impossibility. Yet with God all things are possible.
Would I be willing to pour out my final possession? Do I give generously out of love and gratitude?
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