I love the intentional, specific, and beautiful language that is used throughout Scripture. In 2 Kings 3 Jehoram the son of Ahab becomes king of Israel. He did what was evil in the sight of God, not to the extent of Ahab and Jezebel, but he choose to cling to the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat. The struggle that was faced by Jehoram and by everyone living today is choosing to follow the sins of those around us instead of clinging to God. This language steams from when Joshua gave his final instructions to the people of Israel to cling to God instead of the ways of the people around them. What do you cling to?
When you consistently take time out of your schedule to read Scripture and meditate on God do you find that you are more likely to run to Him when you face trouble? In seasons of your life where you don’t place as much importance on your time in Scripture do you as easily run to God for help? When Israel, Judah, and Edom join to battle the Moabites it is a critical moment where Jehoram doesn’t seek out help from God when the situation looks dire. Did Jehoram’s lack of consistent relationship with God from day to day cause him to not seek out help from God? Do you think that your life imitates the life of Jehoram? How can we guard ourselves from falling away from God?
The hope in the story of 1 Kings chapter 3 comes from Jehoshaphat the king of Judah when he seeks out God when the future of the battle is unclear. He seeks out Elisha to find out what was happening because he knew the word of the Lord was upon Elisha. When life became unclear or difficult Jehoshaphat knew that help was found in God. Elisha speaks harshly to the the kings of Israel and Edom but respects Jehoshaphat, “As the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand, were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would not look at you nor see you.” The relationship that Jehoshaphat had with God was honored and respected by Elisha. Was the relationship that Jehoshaphat had with God developed in this midst of this crisis? Can true dependance on God be developed in any way other than a consistent relationship where you learn of His faithfulness? Start building your faith and trust in God today so that when your moment of crisis comes you can stand firm in your faith and trust that God is more than able to help.
Why did people run to Elisha for help and encouragement when life became difficult in 2 Kings chapter 4. A widow runs to Elisha when her creditors seek to take her children as slaves to fulfill her debt, a Shunammite woman gains a son in return for the kindness shown and then runs to Elisha when the son dies, and food is provided in the midst of a famine. When other people ran to pagan God’s to find hope when difficulties arose in life these people acknowledged that the only true help was found in God. The widow who faced with losing her children was blessed with oil to pay off her debt so she could keep her children. The Shunammite woman was twice blessed with her son once when she was able to conceive him and again when Elisha brought him back to life. Over one hundred men were blessed with food when they sought out Elisha. Will you run to God when you are faced with difficulties in life? Take time to learn to trust God today so that in the difficult moments of life you instinctively seek your help from Him.
