To All Generations

READ 2 Kings 13-14

2 Kings 14:6 reminds us of a truth in the way that God deals with sinful humans: “But he did not put to death the children of the murderers, according to what is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, where the Lord commanded, ‘Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because of their fathers. But each one shall die for his own sin.’”

Those this verse is talking about death in a physical sense, the spiritual reality behind it is also true. People do not die spiritually and spend eternity in hell because of anyone’s sin but their own. Children don’t go to hell because of what their fathers did nor do fathers go to hell because of their children.

But, even more profoundly do we need to recognize that the opposite is also true. No one receives the gift of eternal life because of what someone else has done either. Children are not saved because their parents are nor vice versa. Each one must repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ on their own. As the very old saying goes: “God has no grandchildren.”

So have you repented and believed? Are you teaching your children the necessity for them to repent and believe? Grandfathers, are you passing the gospel to your grandchildren?

Prayer: Father, if any of us are trusting in our parents’ salvation to make us right with you I pray you would bring us to the end of that and grant us repentance and faith. Help us to know that our children and grandchildren are not included in your kingdom just because they were born into our families. Help us to be diligent to teach the truths of your Word to them so that the generations that follow may praise your name.

A Thanksgiving Thought

READ 2 Kings 5-6

I suppose the case could be made that the prophets of Israel in these passages would correspond to pastors in the church today. With that in mind, I was reminded this morning how much I have to be thankful for in God’s blessings and provision for me as a pastor.

Elisha has had several miracles occur in his ministry thus far in only 5 chapters. Four of these have to do with a miracle that happened in order to provide for the well-being of the prophets: the widow of a prophet and her jar of oil (4:1-7); the stew of the prophets is cured (4:38-41); the feeding of 100 prophets (4:42-44); and now the saving of the borrowed axe head of a prophet (6:1-7). What a picturesque miracle that last was. I love the older English version’s rendering “the iron did swim.” Elisha knew there would be a large debt for him if the ace head were not found.

In each case God is caring for his prophets through the ministry of their leader Elisha. Reflecting on that, I am reminded how God has cared for me as a pastor through all these years. He has provided, sometimes through miraculous timing, for the needs of my family all these years. How gracious the Lord has been to us. It is good to remember and be thankful.

But it is also good for those who read this who are not pastors. When we read passages like Matthew 6:25-34 we see that these promises of God’s care and provision are not made to pastors…alone…but to all Christians. One need not be a prophet for God to meet all his needs. Rejoice and be glad and give thanks to the Lord!

Prayer: Father, it’s fitting at this Thanksgiving Season to be reminded of all your benefits to me. You have loved me with an everlasting love and provided all the needs of my family. How gracious and merciful you are to us. Blessed be your holy name.

Boom!

READ 2 Kings 3-4

Picture this: 3 kings and 3 complete armies camped in the wilderness of Edom and there is no water…none. Several thousand men and animals with nothing to drink. So they call Elisha and ask him to inquire of God for them and, after an initial protest, he agrees. While the music plays the hand of the Lord comes upon Elisha and he prophesies that God will send water, mysteriously, and fill the streambed for them to drink. And then he says, “This is a light thing in the sight of the Lord. He will also give the Moabites into your hand” (3:18)

In today’s street vernacular one almost expects Elisha to say “Boom” at the end of that verse. Such a simple statement, such infinitely profound meaning. Filling streambeds with more than enough water for thousands to drink is a “light thing” to God…and…oh by the way, God will also give the army of Moab into your hand. Let us be reminded that nothing is too difficult for God. He is omnipotent!

Jeremiah 32:17 “Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you.”

Jeremiah 32:27  “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?”

All of creation, the making of the heavens and the earth, were not difficult for God. He is the sovereign creator God and nothing is too difficult for him.

Remember that when things are difficult for you. They are not difficult for him. Place your trust in the one who is all-powerful and also loving, gracious, merciful, kind and holy. Rest in his unchangeableness.

Prayer: Father, thank you that you are who you are. You are Almighty God who made the heavens and the earth and all that is in them. You are righteous and holy. You are the God of all gods. Hallowed be your name. Lord, help me to trust in you and your power to rule in every affair of my life. Help me to rest in you. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.

Thanks for Those Who've Gone Before

READ 1 Kings 1-2

After Elijah is taken up and Elisha succeeds him as God’s anointed prophet in Israel, we see a strange incident involving Bethel boys and the prophet. Though there was a larger group whom Elisha cursed only 42 were killed by the bears who came out of the woods (2:23-24). Then Elisha went to Mount Carmel before finally returning to Samaria (25). My first thought thought at v.25 was, Why Mt. Carmel.” Then an answer came to me quickly. Though I may be interpreting this in light of my own experience, I think it has some merit for us today.

On my recent sabbatical I had the privilege and very moving opportunity to visit several places where some of my heroes of the faith ministered and were buried—George Whitfield in Newburyport, MA; Jonathan Edwards in Stockbridge and Northampton, MA; David Brainerd in Northampton, MA. Each of these men was used of God in mighty ways far beyond what I will ever come close to doing. Learning of there lives and visiting where they were used was a reminder and a challenge for me as I seek to serve the Lord in the ministry of the Word.

Perhaps Elisha, upon taking the reigns of prophecy from Elijah, simply wanted to revisit the site of Elijah’s greatest triumph to be reminded of how God had greatly used this man of God and be encouraged as he embarked on his ministry. The lesson is strong for us that we should never forget those who have gone before us. We should never be so caught up in the here and now that we don’t learn from the there and then. Godly folks who have gone before us were greatly used of God often in very difficult circumstances. May God help us to be faithful as they were.

Prayer: Father, thank you for men like Whitfield, Edwards and Brainerd. Thank you for the grace and power that was evidenced in their lives for you. Lord, help me to trust you and minister in your grace and power as they did. Use me in this place as you used them in those places.

Give Me Ears to Hear

READ 1 Kings 19-20

The story is very familiar. After winning a stunning victory over 450 prophets of Baal, Elijah turns tail and runs from 1 woman. He runs from the north to the south, ultimately to a cave in the mountain of God. Yes, the same mountain where God gave Moses the 10 Commandments. God sends a mighty wind, an earthquake, and a fire but the Lord is in none of those. Then comes (literally) “a voice, a thin silence” (19:12) that is the Lord speaking.

But what about God’s mighty display on Mt. Carmel? What about Isaiah 30:27 “Behold, the name of the Lord comes from afar, burning with his anger, and in thick rising smoke; his lips are full of fury, and his tongue is like a devouring fire?” What about Nahum 1:3-5 “The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, and the Lord will by no means clear the guilty. His way is in whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. He rebukes the sea and makes it dry; he dries up all the rivers; Bashan and Carmel wither; the bloom of Lebanon withers. The mountains quake before him; the hills melt; the earth heaves before him, the world and all who dwell in it?” Doesn’t God always speak and act in mighty, thunderous ways? No, sometimes he speaks in a still small voice.

We must remember that. There are those times when the communication from the Lord is through his Word and thunders into our minds and hearts. Other times, we almost have to strain to know what he is saying to us. We must listen closely and focus intently and seek him diligently. Just because he is quiet does not mean that he is not there.

Prayer: Father, help me to hear you when you speak to me whether loudly or softly. Please give me ears to hear. And help me to obey when you speak.