S) "13 So he again sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. When the third captain of fifty went up, he came and bowed down on his knees before Elijah, and begged him and said to him, 'O man of God, please let my life and the lives of these fifty servants of yours be precious in your sight. 14 Behold fire came down from heaven and consumed the first two captains of fifty with their fifties; but now let my life be precious in your sight.' 15 The angel of the Lord said to Elijah, 'Go down with him; do not be afraid of him.' So he arose and went down with him to the king."
2 Kings 1:13-15 (NASB)
O) Elijah was nearing the end of his time on earth. He had seen great wickedness in Israel, at the hands of Ahab and Jezebel. When their son, Ahaziah, took the throne, he was no better. He fell ill, and was seeking his future from prophets of Baal-zebub. The LORD told Elijah to intercept the king's messengers, and rebuke the king, and tell him he will surely die. So, When Ahaziah learned that it was Elijah (no doubt, he knew of his parents' hatred of him), he sent armed men to get Elijah.
A) There are two sides of this, but they are really saying the same thing - be cautious. The third captain finally had enough sense to humble himself before the prophet of the true God. Elijah had enough sense to be mindful of the warning/allowance the LORD was giving him. There are times when I will have confrontation - it is inevitable as a follower of Jesus (see Luke 6:22-23), but what is important, is to know whether or not to fight back, or flee, or concede. Like the captain, I need to be aware of the circumstances around me, before me. Like Elijah, I need to remember who my enemies are, and be prayerful about when, and how, to fight. As Christians, we are reminded that our fight is a spiritual one (see Ephesians 6:12), but there will still be physical manifestations of that spiritual fight (see Luke 22:36 or 2 Corinthians 11:23-27). The best thing to do, ultimately, is pray constantly, and implore the LORD to give me warning and instruction.
P) Father, first and foremost, I thank You for the assurance of Your victory. I know that when You are with me, I have the ultimate, final victory. Through Jesus Christ, death has lost its sting, and the grave is defeated. While I am here, though, I want to walk in every victory You will establish for me. I cannot see ahead, though, Father. Please reveal to me the hidden dangers, and approaching foes. Give me warning and instruction, so that I am prepared for every conflict, well aware of what You require from me, and what it will take for me to walk out in Your victory. Everything to Your glory, God, according to Your will. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
A) There are two sides of this, but they are really saying the same thing - be cautious. The third captain finally had enough sense to humble himself before the prophet of the true God. Elijah had enough sense to be mindful of the warning/allowance the LORD was giving him. There are times when I will have confrontation - it is inevitable as a follower of Jesus (see Luke 6:22-23), but what is important, is to know whether or not to fight back, or flee, or concede. Like the captain, I need to be aware of the circumstances around me, before me. Like Elijah, I need to remember who my enemies are, and be prayerful about when, and how, to fight. As Christians, we are reminded that our fight is a spiritual one (see Ephesians 6:12), but there will still be physical manifestations of that spiritual fight (see Luke 22:36 or 2 Corinthians 11:23-27). The best thing to do, ultimately, is pray constantly, and implore the LORD to give me warning and instruction.
P) Father, first and foremost, I thank You for the assurance of Your victory. I know that when You are with me, I have the ultimate, final victory. Through Jesus Christ, death has lost its sting, and the grave is defeated. While I am here, though, I want to walk in every victory You will establish for me. I cannot see ahead, though, Father. Please reveal to me the hidden dangers, and approaching foes. Give me warning and instruction, so that I am prepared for every conflict, well aware of what You require from me, and what it will take for me to walk out in Your victory. Everything to Your glory, God, according to Your will. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment