Listening to the Word

2 Kings 6-7; 2 Chronicles 20; 1 Timothy 3   “…’A vast army is coming against you…’…Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. The people of Judah came together to seek help from the Lord;… ’Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.’” 2 Chronicles 20:2-4, 21 Leaders are responsible to frame reality for those they are leading. They can ignore a crisis, or respond. Their response is significant in shaping the perspective of others. Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord and to humble himself before God. Instead of fighting the invading forces, or mustering up an army, Jehoshaphat called a prayer meeting and a fast. As they collectively humbled themselves before God, Judah heard the word of the Lord. They heard God’s perspective on their crisis.   We all hear from the enemy; but, how many of us then humble ourselves and wait to hear from God? Judah’s response was to worship and in the face of the enemy declare, “...

2 Kings 4-5; Psalms 83; 1 Timothy 2   “’…As surely as the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him.’…But Elisha said to him, ‘Was not my Spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to take money, or to accept clothes, olive groves, vineyards, flocks, herds, or menservants and maidservants? 2 Kings 5:20, 26 Elisha’s attendant, Gehazi, used the influence and anointing of God on Elisha to benefit himself materially. He ran after Naaman with hopes of receiving a gift. Using money for influence and manipulation is the way of the world. Jesus calls us to not be anxious for anything, but to seek first his kingdom and all the things we need will be provided for us. Do we believe that? Or are we, like Gehazi, using manipulation to meet our own ‘wants’? It’s ironic that Gehazi said to himself “as surely as the Lord lives” and then acted as if the Lord wasn’t watching his life. Do we behave the same way? What area of provision are we...

2 Kings 1-3; Psalms 82; 1 Timothy 1   “…While the harpist was playing, the hand of the Lord came on Elisha and he said, ‘This is what the Lord says: I will fill this valley full of ditches. For this is what the Lord says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink. This is an easy thing in the eyes of the Lord; he will also deliver Moab over to you.” 2 Kings 3:15-18 While facing overwhelming odds in battle and the imminent death of men and animals due to thirst, the kings of Israel, Judah, and Edom sought the Lord. What causes us to seek the Lord? Elisha walked with God. When the kings in their crisis approached him for counsel, Elisha had access to the presence of the Lord. Do we walk with God, or just cry out to him when in crisis? The provision of water in the desert and victory on the battlefield was an “easy thing in the eyes of the Lord”. What challenges are we facing today and how are ...

1 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 18-19; Colossians 4   “But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, ‘First seek the counsel of the Lord.’…But Jehoshaphat asked, ‘Is there not a prophet of the Lord here whom we can inquire of?’” 1 Kings 22:5, 7 “Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.” Colossians 4:12 Jehoshaphat’s leadership-decisions were guided by prayer. His first priority was to seek the counsel of the Lord. His father-in-law, Ahab, used religion to manipulate people and decisions rather than to seek the Lord’s counsel. Prayer can sometimes be the religious ‘window dressing’ in our meetings rather than our first response in discernment and decision-making. Do we believe the Lord still speaks today through his Word and Spirit? While he was in prison in Rome, Epaphras contributed to the ministry of the church in Colossae through wres...

1 Kings 20-21; 2 Chronicles 17; Colossians 3 “(There was never a man like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, urged on by Jezebel his wife. He behaved in the vilest manner by going after idols, like the Amorites the Lord drove out before Israel.) When Ahab heard these words, he tore his clothes, put on sackcloth and fasted. He lay in sackcloth and went around meekly.” 1 Kings 21:25-27 “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.” Colossians 3:5 At the urging of his wife Jezebel, Ahab sold himself to the powers of darkness. His vile practices included rituals which involved offering sacrifices to demons. When Ahab lusted after Naboth’s vineyard to use as a vegetable garden and then supported a plot to kill Naboth and steal his land, God was grieved. Greed is the same as idolatry. We might not plot to take someone else’s garden plot; but, when money becomes our god, ...

1 Kings 17-19; Colossians 2   “…He gave him to his mother and said, ‘Look your son is alive!’ Then the woman said to Elijah, ‘Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth!’…’Answer me, O Lord, answer me, so these people will know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.’” 1 Kings 17:23, 24; 18:37 Why did God allow the death of the widow of Zarepheth’s son? Why did God allow a famine and no rain in Israel for three years? In these experiences of Elijah, God was turning the hearts of people to him and even back to him. The widow of Zarepheth could only think of sin as the cause of her son’s death. God’s heart toward her was full of mercy and forgiveness. Zarepheth was the birthplace of Jezebel and centre of Baal worship. In that very place God was turning hearts toward himself. The dramatic fire from heaven which consumed the soaked sacrifice at Carmel reminds us of the tongues of fire on the heads...