God Speaks
The Miracles God Did Through Elisha During the Reigns of Ben-Hadad and Hazael Kings of Aram, Joram King of Israel and Jehoram and Ahaziah Kings of Judah
Verse of the Day: “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet [Elisha] answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” [Quotes in original.] (2 Kings 6:16 NIV 2011)
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Watch TBR Day 184
We Respond
Reflection
Consider the following questions regarding 2 Kings 5-8
> 1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
> 2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
2 Kings 5
1. God is willing to help anyone who trusts Him and follows His instructions, even enemies of Him or His people.
2. People, who should know better, like the king of Israel, are often suspicious and don’t trust the LORD or his messengers.
2 Kings 6
1. God is willing to reveal His plans or those of our enemies, if our eyes and ears are open to Him.
2. People tend to blame God or others for the consequences of their own foolish actions or decisions.
2 Kings 7
1. God does amazing things in His time and His way whether we believe it or not.
2. People in positions of authority in government (and other areas of society) often mock God, his miracles and His servants.
2 Kings 8
1. God frequently uses the most unlikely people to discover and share His blessings and miracles.
2. People who doubt or mock God will eventually suffer severe consequences as did the officer assisting the king.
Prayer
> 3. How might I pray regarding 2 King 5-8?
Dear LORD God, You truly are the one who who made Naaman great. You are the one who gave his nation (Aram) victories under his leadership. LORD, You are the one who has made my nation (USA) great as well. We are now struggling under the weigh of our sin of turning away from You in so many ways and forsaking You, Your scriptures and Your principles. We could be said to be suffering from spiritual leprosy. We have become as corrupt as the people in Noah’s day before the flood. All the thoughts of our hearts are only evil all the time. Please raise up brave people of all ages to speak to individuals (especially leaders) about You, the mighty God who can cleanse and heal us. Let them know that You and Your true servants cannot be bribed. It is You who bestows life or allows death. You only require trust, humility and obedience. When we bring our problems to You, You do the impossible like making an iron axe head float. Help me and my nation to bring all of our problems to You. Also show us the plans of our enemies so that we can avoid disaster. Please protect Your servants as You did Elisha. Help us also to take heed and rejoice when a messenger brings surprisingly good news in the midst of chaos. Please protect our nation from treachery, intrigue and lies. Give us rulers like King David who had a heart for You and followed Your instructions. He so honored You that You promised him an eternal dynasty. May our nation’s leaders repent, turn back to You and the principles laid out in the Bible. Please raise up a generation of people (especially leaders) in this nation who will follow You, LORD, wholeheartedly. Then we will prosper again and bring You glory, LORD. AMEN
Action
(Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
> 4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to 2 King 5-8?
With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will, like Naaman’s servant girl, recommend the LORD God to someone that I see needs His help.
- I will ask God to reveal to me what my enemy is planning so that I can be prepared and protected.
- I will praise and thank the LORD for the amazing things He has and is doing in my life.
- I will tell someone else about the amazing things the LORD has done for them.
Share
I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.