I HAVE TO WHAT?

NAAMAN

Read 2 Kings 5:1–14

      “Are not Abana and Pharpar, the rivers of Damascus, better than any of the waters of Israel? Couldn't I wash in them and be cleansed?" 2 Kings 5:12 NIV

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      Naaman was the commander of the army of Syria, (Aram) enemy of Israel. He was a valiant soldier, but he had leprosy. His wife's young Israeli servant, who had been captured in a raid, told him that there was a prophet in Israel who could heal him.

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      Naaman expected some sort of dramatic production by Elisha the prophet, but instead he was told to humble himself and wash seven times in the Jordan River–the territory of his enemy. At first he reacted in rage saying, "I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy.” (2 Kings 5:11)

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      Like many people today, Naaman balked at the simplicity and humility required for his healing. Some find it hard to admit that they are sinners in need of Jesus who said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6) Through him we have forgiveness and eternal life.

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      Lord, thank You for giving Your Son on the cross so that I could be cleansed of my sin. Give me the opportunity to share my faith, just as Naaman's servant girl shared hers, even in enemy territory.

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      So he went down and dipped himself in the Jordan seven times, as the man of God had told him, and his flesh was restored and became clean like that of a young boy. 2 Kings 5:14 NIV

FACING THE IMPOSSIBLE

EMPTY JARS AND DITCHES

Read 2 Kings 3:1–4:7

     "Make 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.' " 2 Kings 3:16-17 NIV

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      In these stories, Elisha performs two miracles: One for the armies of Judah and Israel, asking God to deliver them from the Moabites–and the other for a widow and her sons who could not pay her creditors.

     In each case, Elisha asked them to do something that demonstrated their faith: The armies were to dig ditches–in anticipation that God will fill them with water. The widow and her sons were to gather empty jars–believing that God would fill them with oil.

      Both the armies and the widow were faced with a situation they couldn’t handle alone. They had to acknowledge that God was able to meet their needs, by obeying the Word of the Lord spoken through Elisha. The jars were filled with oil and the ditches with water–which miraculously appeared to be blood–causing the Moabites to be defeated.

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      We too can be victorious when our hearts are filled with the water of God’s Word and faith in the shed blood of Jesus for our sins. Like the widow’s jars, we will be filled with the oil of God’s Holy Spirit.

      Lord, I bring my empty jar to You. Fill me with a double portion of Your Holy Spirit as I walk out into this day, and may the oil and water continue to flow out to others through me.

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      "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." John 7:37b-38 NIV

CHARIOT OF FIRE

ELIJAH AND ELISHA

Read 1 Kings 19:19–21; 2 Kings 2:1–14

     As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. 2 Kings 2:11-12 NIV

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      There is no doubt that Elijah stood tall among the prophets of all time. He entered Heaven with as much drama as he lived. Only one other man entered Heaven without dying, and that was Enoch, who simply "walked with God." right into Heaven. (Genesis 5:24) 
     Elijah's great power came from God's Spirit resting on him. The younger Elisha–who watched as Elijah was taken to Heaven–requested and received a double portion of God's Spirit and continued the ministry. (2 Kings 2:9)

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      The time will come for all believers to experience a day when the “Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”  (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17)

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     Dear Jesus, I am looking forward to that day when both those who have died in the Lord and those who remain–will be caught up to be with You forever. May my life reflect that hope and may I always walk with You

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     "According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep."    1 Thessalonians 4:15 NIV

TIMES OF DEPRESSION

ELIJAH AND THE PROPHETS OF BAAL

Read 1 Kings Chapters 18–19

     Then the fire of the LORD fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried,"The LORD–he is God! The LORD–he is God!" 1 Kings 18:38-39 NIV

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     Elijah's eight recorded miracles are among the most spectacular in the Bible–Elijah prayed, and God answered–but not long after his courageous contest with the prophets of Baal, a threat by Jezebel sent him into deep depression. In his despondency, Elijah believed that he was all alone in his faith. "I have had enough, LORD," he said. "Take my life–” (1 Kings 19:4)

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     Eventually after forty days of running, and several miraculous signs, God spoke to Elijah in a still small voice saying; “I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him." (19:18)

     It is human nature to be depressed when we are exhausted–or have had a major victory–followed by down time. Like Elijah, we often need to hear the still small voice of the Holy Spirit assuring our hearts.

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     Lord, help me to turn to You when I feel like I am standing alone in a worldly culture. I want to be true to You, no matter how tired or discouraged I am. Help me to trust You for the strength I need to be faithful.

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     "The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped. "  Psalm 28:7