Tag: prayer
More for us than against us!
Scripture Reading for April 11: 2nd Kings 4-8
Have you ever been in a situation where you felt you were outnumbered and under-equipped? I recently spent time with my father who is 89 years old and a veteran of World War II. He enjoys telling stories about his time in the service of our country. He was drafted in 1941 and spent 4 years in the Army as a messenger and driver for the officers of the Third Armored Division. He went ashore a few days after D-Day on Normandy beach and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He recently told me how he was driving an officer out in the front lines away from the company when he suddenly came upon a German tank. He did a u-turn before his officer passenger could say a word and beat a path for the cover of his company. As he topped a hill, a shell landed behind his jeep but he soon passed one of his own tanks who covered him. These memories are still vivid for my father who knew what it was like to be in enemy territory and out-manned! However, there were more for him than against him that day!
In today’s reading, Elisha and his men are cutting trees to enlarge the building housing the company of prophets. Church growth brought the need for expansion then, too! As they were cutting, the borrowed axehead flew off and fell into the water. Elisha cut a stick, threw it into the water, and the axehead floated to the top. There was more for them than against them!
Next, the Arameans were angry at Elisha, who was warning the king of Israel about their plans of attack. They found out Elisha was staying at Dothan, and came at night and surrounded the city with soldiers, horses and chariots. Elisha’s servant went out the next morning and saw the great army and came back to Elisha alarmed. (2nd Kings 6:15) Elisha prayed that the servant would be able to see the forces on their side and his eyes were opened to see more for them than against them! (2nd Kings 6:16-17)
As this enemy approached, Elisha prayed again to the Lord to strike his enemy with blindness and God answered. He then led this army to Samaria to the king of Israel and then prayed to open their eyes. God again answered! There is more for us than against us!
A great lesson to learn today is this wonderful truth that remains true for us! Thankfully, God is no respecter of persons! God answers prayer and responds to faith. Elisha, under the direction of the Spirit, could see the unseen realities of God’s power and provision. He prayed for his servant, and the servant could see as well! Do you need fresh vision today? Why not ask the Lord to open your eyes!
“And Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the Lord opened his servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2nd Kings 6:17
Lost Potential–Samson
Scripture reading for March 13: Judges 13-16
The story of Samson is a mix of the supernatural power and anointing of God and the lowest of our carnal nature. Samson was born by supernatural intervention to a couple who was childless. His parents carefully listened to the instructions of an angel and raised this boy as a Nazarite, one set apart by God. (Numbers 6:1-21) God’s Spirit began to stir Samson early in his life. God was going to use him to deliver the Israelites from 40 years of bondage to the Philistines. This bondage was a result of idolatry and evil in God’s sight. (Judges 13:1)
As Samson grew, he was attracted to a Philistine woman in the town of Timnah. He asked his parents to get her for him. The Bible states that this was from the Lord, although his parents did not understand and sought to direct him to get a bride from his own people. (Judges 14:3-4) This is difficult to understand. God specifically warns us not to intermarry with those outside the faith. (2nd Corinthians 6:14) In this instance, God used Samson’s carnal tendencies to accomplish His purposes in attacking the enemies of his people. It is not meant to be a pattern at all!
Samson’s marriage to this woman never happened. She was given to one of his friends in the bridal company! This seemed to fill Samson with the desire for revenge. His anger and impulsiveness moved him to get even. God used this too, but how much better to follow the Lord by prayer and listening to His instructions! Samson impulsively ate honey out of a lion’s carcass, a violation of the Nazerite vow. He was attracted to prostitutes and carnal women. These proved to be his downfall! How often men of God are distracted by their flesh! How the mighty have fallen!
At the end of his life, Samson was in captivity, both of his eyes gouged out. There, he was mocked at a gathering of Philistine officials. The first recorded prayer where Samson asks for God’s help is recorded here. (Judges 16:28) God faithfully answers the cry of this man who could have been such a mighty force to deliver. He was once again given supernatural strength and God used him to destroy more of the Philistines in his death than in his life!
What can we learn today? God chooses to use us in spite of our sinfulness and carnal nature but there are consequences. What we sow we will reap. God is never mocked! (Galatians 6:7) We, however, can be deceived! We must guard against the carnal nature. It has the potential to blind us and take us to our death! How much better to walk in the Spirit and humbly follow Jesus each day! God bless you in doing that today!
Samson’s only recorded prayer: “O Sovereign Lord, remember me. O God, please strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.” (Judges 16:28)
Another generation, who knew not the Lord!
Scripture Reading for March 10: Judges 1-5
When I was younger, we heated our home on the farm with wood. When it was extremely cold, we had a small bin of coal to help with the heat through the long winter nights in Iowa. One of the jobs right before bed was to go down and stoke the fire. More wood would be added and ashes removed so a good flow of air would cause the fire to heat up and blaze. A scoop of coal would be tossed in too. A short time later the damper was shut so all the coals and logs would glow with a steady fire all night. If no one stoked the fire, it would often go out and the house would quickly cool down to nearly outside temperature.
Good and godly leaders stoke the fires with the wood of prayer and pour on the coals of God’s Word to keep zeal burning through the long night. But when the leader is gone and the fire is not being stoked with fresh wood and coal, complacency sets in with our walk with the Lord. This happened in the time after the death of Joshua. Joshua left some elders who stoked the fire for a time. They passed from the nation as well. The next generation arose without a personal experience of God’s mighty miracles and deliverance. This generation began to drift into idolatry and the bondage of sin. Isn’t it funny, drift is always away from the Lord!
The cycle is recorded in Judges. After the death of Joshua and the elders, the nation drifted into sin and idolatry. God got angry and sold them into slavery to an oppressing nation. The people cried out to the Lord and he heard them and raised up another leader who would deliver them. Then there would be a time of peace during the life of that leader (Judge). After the leader’s death, the cycle would begin again. (Judges 2:10-19) This is repeated seven times in the Book of Judges!
I see this kind of cycle also present in our culture today. A godly leader teaches and preaches and lives out God’s Word and a revival springs up in a home or church or city. (That leader can be a father or mother, pastor or Sunday School teacher, or a janitor who loves the Lord.) The fires of the Spirit are stoked with prayer and faithful, anointed preaching of the whole counsel of God. A generation is set on fire and the wind of the Spirit brings salvations, healing, and deliverance. The land enjoys peace until another generation arises who did not experience God moving. They fall into bondage as they drift away from the Lord. God looks for another godly leader who will pray and preach to stoke the fire again! Will you stoke the fires of the Spirit today by praying and reading God’s holy Word? God will anoint you afresh with the Holy Spirit and Fire from on high! (Matthew 3:11)