A Nobody

O. T. #841  "A Nobody"
Sept. 30, 2016
2 Kings 8-Part 2


LET IT GLOW


Are there days when we feel like a nobody, unworthy and unfit to be used by God to accomplish His work? However, as a child of the King, no matter how insignificant we may feel, god can use us to great things for His kingdom. Do you and I have the faith and will we obey so He can do great things through us?

In today's passage, we read of the Prophet Elisha going to Damascus, the capital of Syria, which is an enemy of Israel. Back in 1Kings 19:15-17, The Lord instructed Elijah to anoint three men for the purpose of commissioning them to destroy Baal worship in Israel-Hazael of Syria, Jehu, and Elisha. However, Elijah only commissioned Elisha, while Elisha commissioned Hazael, and he sent a man to commission Jehu. As a result, Baalism was officially barred from Israel. (This happens in chapters 8 and 9.)

With that background, shall we continue? The king of Syria, Ben-hadad, lay sick. When he heard of Elisha being in Damascus, the king sent for Elisha, as well as sent him a gift of 40 camels and fine products, and a question, Will I recover from this illness?

Elisha's response to Hazael, the king's messenger was: Ben-hadad would be restored to health, but he would die by another means.

Do we find our self in a similar situation where we recover from one sickness and another comes, or we get through one trial and another zings at us around the corner?


LET IT GROW

Then the man of God, Elisha, stared at Hazael. and wept. Hazael asked him what was wrong. Here is his reply:

• Elisha knew about the terrible things Hazael would do to the people of Israel when he became king of Syria.
• He will burn Israel's fortified cities, kill their young me with the sword, dash their little children to the ground, and rip open their pregnant women. 

Elisha supernaturally discerned the murder plot that was in Hazael's heart. (David Jeremiah)

God had revealed it to Elisha and Elisha, in turn, revealed it to Hazael.

How could a nobody (dog) like me ever accomplish such great things? asked Hazael.

Hazael was not of royal bloodline and considered a son of nobody.

Of course, the answer was that Hazael would become Syria's next king. So when Hazael returned to King Ben-hadad, he informed the king of his recovery according to Elisha. However, the next day Hazael took a blanket, soaked it in water, and held it over the king's face until he died. Then Hazael became the next king of Syria.
Hazael did prove to be a constant foe of Israel, seen in chapters 9, 10, 12-13.

It is when we surrender to God that He works in us to do great things for His kingdom. Although, He can use unbelievers to accomplish His will, too.

In Matthew 15, we read of a Gentile woman coming to Jesus and asking Him to deliver her daughter from a demon. Jesus told her that first He should feed the children, the Jews, and it wasn't right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs. She told Jesus that even the dogs were allowed to eat the scraps under the table from the children's plates.
Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith; be it unto thee even as thou wilt. Her daughter was healed that very hour.

LET IT GO

At That Very Moment

O. T. #840  "At That Very Moment"
Sept. 29, 2016
2 Kings 8
At that very moment, the mother of the boy walked in to make her appeal to the king about her house and land.  2 Kings 8:5b

LET IT GLOW

The places we go and the time of it is important. There are times we experience an "ahha moment" the Lord has ordained for us to share of His wondrous deeds with another. It is at that moment, we know we are doing the Lord's work and will. A woman in our study today experienced at that very moment, an ahha moment. She was in the right place, at the right time.

Apparently, the events in this chapter occurred earlier than chapter 5 when Naaman was healed of leprosy due to Elisha's servant Gehazi was with Elisha (not leprous himself), and before the 7 year famine in Israel.  So it is out of chronological order.

With that said, let us look into the events here. When Elisha knew there was going to be a 7 year famine in Israel, he told the widow whose son Elisha had raise from the dead in chapter 4, to move to some other place. (verse 1)
So she took her family and settled in the land of the Philistines for 7 years.

The Lord brought a famine on Israel to punish them for their sin of idol worship. Yet, we see His mercy in sparing the Shunammite woman that had been kind to Elisha in chapter 4.
Now the famine has ended, and we pick up the following events:

• The Shunammite widow returned home and went to see her king about getting back her house and land she previously owned 7 year earlier. (Maybe it was occupied by strangers, relatives, or turned over to the crown. Evidently her husband was dead so she had to handle business.)
• As she entered, the king was talking with Gehazi, Eisha's servant.
• Gehazi was telling the king some great things Elisha had done (upon his request).
• When Gehazi was sharing about the time Elisha had brought a boy back to life, at that very moment, in walks the mother of the boy to make her appeal to the king-providence.
• Gehazi recognized the woman and her son, calling her son the very one Elisha brought back to life. (He said it to the king.)
• The king asked the woman if it was true. She told the king the whole story.

It's who you know nowadays that gets you what you want. So it was with this woman. She knew Elisha, the man of God and his servant.

LET IT GROW

What resulted by this happening?
The king directed one of his officials to see that everything she had lost was restored to her, including the value of any crops that had been harvested during her absence.

Friends, we have a story to tell-how the Lord has brought us back to life, spiritually, through salvation.
Also, Jesus was brought back to life as He rose from the grave. His is a story to tell, also.

LET IT GO

Share with someone today the great things God has done in my life.

Tell the wonderful story of Jesus, my Risen Savior.

Windows of Heaven are Opened

O. T. #839  "Windows of Heaven are Opened"
Sept 28, 2016
2 Kings 7
Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the LORD of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it.  Malachi 3:10

LET IT GLOW

Over and over Israel experienced miracles of God's provisions and protection. It was not worthless idols that did such things, but Almighty and Compassionate God. He did it in today's lesson.
When our resources are low and our doubts are high, remember God can open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings beyond our thinking.

Has God blessed you by opening the windows of heaven? They may not be monetary or material blessings, but spiritual ones.

Ben-hadad, king of Syria, sieged the Israeli city of Samaria. His army camped outside the gates, preventing trade. It resulted in a famine in the city, with some resorting to cannibalism and eating the heads of donkeys. When the king of Israel heard what was happening, he blamed Prophet Elisha and sent a messenger to cut off Elisha's head. f course Elisha knew this and hut the door so he could not enter. Then the king came and spoke with Elisha, asking, All this misery is from the LORD! Why should I wait for the LORD any longer?

Did King Joram of Israel consider Elisha a puppet to manipulate for his wants?

Elisha shared the Lord's promise of a changed market in Samaria tomorrow-one piece of silver would purchase 5 quarts of flour and 10 quarts of barley. (They had previously paid 80 pieces of silver for a donkey's head for food and a cup of dove's dung for 5 pieces of silver.) Very hard times, wouldn't you agree?

The end of the siege of Samaria was coming the next day. Hang in there king and people, tomorrow is coming. Some how, some way, their Lord God would resolve this problem.
These are words which I need to hear the words. I have been praying for 19 years for a specific thing without any results. Maybe tomorrow it will come. Anyone with me?



LET IT GROW

What happened next? A doubting Thomas was in their midst. An officer of King Jehoram of Israel said to Elisha, That couldn't happen even if the LORD opened the windows of heaven!
Elisha told the man that he would not be able to eat any of the captured food.

Whoa buddy! You don't know our God, Elisha's God, Israel's God, Jehovah and His power. Also, the Lord has these unusual ways of accomplishing His will. Look what happened the next day:

• Four men with leprosy were sitting at the city gates. They reasoned that they had nothing to loose by surrendering to the Syrian army, for death was coming by starvation inside, death by the enemy, or death by the disease. They had nothing to loose to do what they did.
• However, they were surprised when they arrived at the edge of the Syrian camp-no one was there!(At twilight)
• The Lord had caused the Syrians army to hear the clatter of speeding chariots and galloping of horses and sounds of a great army approaching.
•  They concluded that the king of Israel had hired the Hittites and Egyptians to attack them. So they ran into the night, abandoning their tents, horses, donkeys, and everything else, as they fled for their lives.
• The lepers ate and drank to the fullness, carried off gold and silver and clothing, hiding it. Then they realized how selfish they had been. Keeping this good thing to themselves instead of sharing with their community and families in side the famine-stricken Samaria.
• This is a day of good new, and we aren't sharing it with anyone! If we wait until morning, some calamity will certainly fall upon us. Come on, let's go back and tell the people at the palace. This is what they said to each other in verse 9.

So the lepers went back to the city and told the gatekeepers what had happened. Then the gatekeepers shouted the news to the people in the palace.

The doubters thought: it was a plot to capture the residents; (by the king) (verse 12)and they should send out scouts to investigate, if they die, not many die. (by king's officers) (verse 13)

What happened next?

• So the scouts for the king followed a trail of clothing and equipment which the Syrian army had left as they fled; then the scouts returned with the news and informed the king of Israel (verses 14-15)
• In the meantime, the Samarians rushed out and plundered the Syrian camp.
• The king appointed an officer to control traffic at the gate, but the rush of people, a riot, trampled him to death. (verse 17a)
• It happened exactly as Elisha had predicted. Prices were lowered and the doubter did not eat any of the food captured. (verse 17b-20)

Please Lord Jesus, give me faith to trust in Your Word completely.

LET IT GO

Ask and wait by faith in God to answer.

Give Him praise and honor when it happens.

Working Behind the Scenes

O. T. #838  "Working Behind the Scenes"
Sept. 27, 2016
2 Kings 6-Part 4
The LORD had caused...  2 Kings 7:6

LET IT GLOW

There are so many people working behind the scenes in our churches, faithfully serving. People empty trash, clean out refrigerators, straighten up the kitchen, pick up toys, distribute literature, etc. The list goes on. They don't do those tasks for recognition, but to meet needs. God is often working behind the scenes when we do not see things changing. It is coming up soon in our reading. Meantime, Elisha is faithfully serving God, yet being blamed for a famine in a city of Samaria.

Ben-hadad, the king of Syria and enemy of Israel, had previously sieged the city of Samaria  with the help of 32 kings (1 Kings 20:1). This occurred during the reign of the wicked King Ahab in Israel. In contrast to the smaller raiding parties and the larger force seeking Elisha's capture (verse 14), Ben-hadad gathered his entire army, once again, marched to Samaria, and besieged the capital. (MacArthur)

The siege resulted in a terrible famine for the Israelis living in the city of Samaria. The enemy camped outside the city, too. Desperate times called for desperate measures, with people resorting to eating the head of donkeys, an unclean animal, and dove droppings used for fuel. These animals were sold at exorbitant prices. Mothers resorted to savage cannibalism of their own children. (verses 26-29)

Life Application Study Bible explains the situation here:

When a city like Samaria faced famine, it was no small matter. Although its farmers grew enough food to feed the people for a specific season, they did not have enough to sustain them in prolonged times of emergency when all supplies were cut off. Deuteronomy 28:49-57 predicted mothers would resort to eating their children when the people of Israel rejected God's leadership.

Was the Lord attempting to use this famine to bring repentance to His people living in Samaria?
We do not read of their repentance, though.

LET IT GROW

The king was so shocked and horrified with conditions in Samaria, that he vented his own anxieties and frustrations on Elisha, swearing to behead him. The doors were barred to prevent the executioner from entering because Elisha knew the king had changed his mind and was coming to reverse his order execution. (Falwell)

When the king arrived, the door was opened and he spoke to Elisha in verse 33, All this misery is from the LORD! Why should I wait for the LORD any longer?

Elisha was not to blame for what was happening. God was judging Samaria (Amos 3:6) Israel had left the Lord God, so their calamity was brought about by Jehovah in response to sin. Since Elisha was a man of God, did the king think Elisha would do any miracle he wanted? Thus, Elisha had not come to his rescue, ending the siege of Samaria. Neither had Israel had repented of their sin of forsaking God to worship idols.

How long should we wait for God to answer our prayers? Do we grow impatient and take matters into our own hands? Do we look for those to blame instead of looking inside our self?
Hang on just a little bit longer, dear one, for God is working behind the scenes, though we may not see any evidence today. Tomorrow...


LET IT GO

Wait a little bit longer on God to work in my situation.

Wait. Keep the faith. Look around. See God working.

Simply Ask

O. T. #837 "Simply Ask"
Sept. 26, 2016
2 Kings 6-Part 3
Elisha prayed... (verse 17)
Elisha prayed...(verse 18)
Elisha prayed...(verse 20)

LET IT GLOW

When life beats me down, do I simply pray to the Lord?
When I have failed and fallen flat on my face, do I simply pray to King Jesus?
When I don't know which way to go, do I pray, simply pray, to the Creator of the Universe?

His love never fails, never gives up, never runs out on me! On and on it goes... What a song of encouragement, friend. Elisha the prophet simply prayed; three times he prayed in our passage today. Recon what happened? Miracles, I'll say that much. Do our prayers result in miracles? If not, then why not?

The Syrian king sent bands of soldiers to raid Israel, but God kept revealing to Elisha  every movement of the enemy. The prophet informed the king of Israel, and the cities were prepared for any raid planned by Syria. The Syrian king suspected a hidden spy was among his soldiers, but one of his officers suspected Elisha as the informer. So troops were sent to capture Elisha, surrounding him. Elisha's servant became afraid when he saw the vast army. That is when Elisha asked God to open his eyes to see the hosts of angels ready to deliver Elisha. Truly there was more on their side that on the enemy's side. If God before us, who can be against us?

We pick up the story here. Using Elisha, God performed a dual miracle: He opened the eyes of his servant, but He blinded the eyes of the invaders. Yes, Elisha prayed again and this time God blinded eyes, instead of opening them. The Syrian raiders were blinded, all of them.

Listen to this: Elisha told them that this blinded army they had come to the wrong city, to follow him, and he would lead them to the man they were seeking. Oh, my goodness, isn't this something?
Elisha led the enemy army to Samaria, where he asked the Lord to open their eyes, and it was so. Without bloodshed, the Syrian army was miraculously delivered into Israel's hands.

What faith and trust Elisha had in his God!  I need only a mustard seed size of faith to move mountains. How big is our faith?

I saw a clip form the movie "War Room" last night on Facebook. Two of the women were praying for one's family and marriage to be restored. One developed her prayer closet and took back her home from the Devil. Now that is an illustration of faith.
How does our faith measure?

LET IT GROW

Three times we read here of the prophet praying and God opened his eyes, struck them with blindness, and opened their eyes.

When this happened, the King of Israel asked Elisha if he should kill the Syrian army. Get this. the answer was not a yes, but a question, "Do we kill prisoners of war? Give them food and drink and send them home again to their master."

So it was done. What resulted? The Syrian raiders stayed away from the land of Israel, sending no secret commando bands to raid the villages of Israel. Years may have passed before verse 24.

God had captured the enemy and He alone was to get the glory. Elisha defeated them with kindness. (See Rom. 12:20-22, Matt,. 5:43-45, Prov. 25:21-22.)  (Wiersbe)

Should God's people fear the enemy, if we are obeying His Word? Psalm 46 answers this question.

The king was not to take credit for what God alone had done. In setting food and water before them, he was heaping "burning coals" on their heads  (Prov. 25:21-22) Life Application Study Bible

LET IT GO

Ask and ye shall receive.
Seek and ye shall find.
Knock and it shall be opened unto you.
Pray.

Against Insurmountable Odds

O. T. #836  "Against Insurmountable Odds"
Sept. 23, 2016
2 Kings 6-Part 2


LET IT GLOW

Today's is a good story, almost comical to me. Although, standing against insurmountable odds, is not. What do we do in that situation? I know the One who has the ability to beat and overcome all odds. That's no problem. The question is, "Do I have the faith in Him to beat insurmountable odds against me?" Oh yeah, I can tell others to be strong, trusting, depending on God. But where the rubber meets the road is when I am in that predicament, needing to stand strong, trusting and depending upon God. Is there an amen?

* Surmount means to prevail over, overcome, according to Webster's Dictionary.

When confronted with insurmountable odds, when it looks like I will not be prevailing, I can't succeed alone, but with God, I can overcome.

So today, a servant and a prophet live against insurmountable odds. Shall we see how this came about?

Syria was again at war with Israel. Ben-hadad, Syria's king, using guerrilla style, set up a camp secretly for ambushing Israel. However, every time he would plan raids on Israel, God kept revealing every movement and schemes of the enemy to Elisha, His prophet. Because Elisha cared for his Israeli people, he would inform King Jehoram of the schemes. Then the king would send word to the cities so they would be prepared for the invasion and Syria was unsuccessful. 

After this happening twice, Ben-hadad demanded to know which of his officers was a traitor, informing Israel of their plans of attack on what city. One of the officers spoke truth when he told his king that Elisha, the prophet in Israel, told his king of their plans, even those spoken in his bedroom. Of course, it was our all-knowing God who did the informing. Syria's king commanded them to find out where Elisha was located, and then he troops to seize him.

When Elisha's servant saw the troops everywhere the next morning, he told Elisha. "Oh, sir, what will we do now?" the young man cried to Elisha.

When we feel surrounded by the enemy, what do we do? Seek the Lord or hide or run?

LET IT GROW

What happened to Elisha and his servant in an impossible situation? We know that with God all things are possible. Here's what happened, two miracles dealing with the eyes of men:

First, Elisa tried to reassure his servant that they had more on their side than on their enemy's side, so he could not be afraid. (Ok, if you say so. No, I don't think I would be that confident.)
Then  Elisha prayed, asking God to open his servant's eyes so he could see. (I figure angels armed with swords surrounded their place.)
What did the servant see? When the Lord opened the man's eyes, he saw the hillside filled with horses and chariots of fire. (verse 17)

The angel of the LORD encamped round about them that fear Him, and delivered them.
(Psalm 34:7)

God's heavenly army in the unseen world was seen by Elisha' servant. They were waiting to do battle with Syria's army. Military leaders were not in control of coming events. There was a greater force present, yet unseen to most. We are going to leave these two men surrounded by to armies.

What can we glean from this spectacular story?
Faith reveals that God is doing more for His people than we can ever realize through sight alone. When you face difficulties that seem insurmountable, remember that spiritual resources are there even if you can't see them. Look with eyes of faith, and let God show you His resources. If you don't see God working in your life, the problem may be your spiritual eyesight, not God's power. (Life Application Study Bible)

LET IT GO

Turn it over to Jesus to make me into an overcomer.

Stay in the fight; stand strong; live by faith; trust in the Almighty God. (I need to hear these words myself.)

Ask for grace and mercy to carry on, walking by faith, giving God the glory.

Flying Off the Handle

O. T. #835  "Flying Off the Handle"
Sept. 22, 2016
2 Kings 6
And the man reached out and grabbed it.  2 Kings 6:7 

LET IT GLOW

Uh huh, I'll admit there have been times, a few times, that I recall flying off the handle, so to speak. Now, honestly, I am a pretty easy going person. But some times my can gets full and I have to empty it. Mmm. it's not pretty when my temper rises and I sling angry words flying, sinking down into the water of discourse, causing pain. Later, I'm not proud of my ways.do I have company here? Well, today, we have something that flies off the handle. Curious?

Elisha must have been having an impact on Israel because the old facility which housed the young prophets in seminary study wasn't large enough for those who sought ministry training. They were being trained like home missionaries, to take God's Word o the people. The prophets had moved to Jericho by this time, according to 2:4-5. It was suggested that the men go down to the Jordan River area and get a beam to contribute to the new structure. Elisha had been invited to go with those men.
(Maybe the invitation was for protection as the men brought back wood , a 6 mile trip.)

Did you notice that twice Elisha was asked to approve their plans by being confronted with, "Let us go." Their place refers to a dormitory where the me live while studying for the ministry.

Another thing, why did they seek to go down to the Jordan River to cut lumber for the building?

MacArthur informs us that the Jordan Valley had mostly smaller kinds of trees, such as willow, tamarisk , and acacia that did not give heavy lumber. The resulting structure would be a humble, simple building.

Do we focus on God's approval for a task? Are we delighting our self in the Lord so He can give us His desires in our heart? (Psalm 37:4) Do we seek the approval of our church leaders before venturing out?


LET IT GROW

So Elisha went with those men with the purpose of cutting lumber with axes. Iron was expensive then and rare in Israel. A student borrowed one to use, since he could not afford to purchase one. He would not be able to replace the borrowed ax had anything happen to it.

Something did happen to one particular ax head. While a man was cutting a tree, the borrowed ax head fell into the river. Being a responsible young man, he cried out letting his problem be known-"It was a borrowed ax."

What happened next was one of God's miracles:

• Elisha asked where it fell into the river, and the man showed him.
• Then Elisha cut a stick and threw it in the water at that  spot. 
• The ax head floated to the surface and united with Elisha's stick.
• Elisha instructed the borrower to grab it and he did.

All things are possible with God. Often times He does His part and we do ours by faith, such as the borrower reaching down to pick up the axe floating on the water.

Come on friends, let's go down to the river, down to the river to pray, get washed by the water, rising up in amazing grace as the song goes.

LET IT GO

When I borrow something,  I need to return it in the same condition.

Watch God do His work, in spite of my flying off the handle.

Bend allowing Him to put me back together.