2 Kings 4:18-37 When the child had grown, he went out one day to his father among the reapers. 19 And he said to his father, "Oh, my head, my head!" The father said to his servant, "Carry him to his mother." 20 And when he had lifted him and brought him to his mother, the child sat on her lap till noon, and then he died. 21 And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God and shut the door behind him and went out. 22 Then she called to her husband and said, "Send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, that I may quickly go to the man of God and come back again." 23 And he said, "Why will you go to him today? It is neither new moon nor Sabbath." She said, "All is well." 24 Then she saddled the donkey, and she said to her servant, "Urge the animal on; do not slacken the pace for me unless I tell you." 25 So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her coming, he said to Gehazi his servant, "Look, there is the Shunammite. 26 Run at once to meet her and say to her, 'Is all well with you? Is all well with your husband? Is all well with the child?'" And she answered, "All is well." 27 And when she came to the mountain to the man of God, she caught hold of his feet. And Gehazi came to push her away. But the man of God said, "Leave her alone, for she is in bitter distress, and the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me." 28 Then she said, "Did I ask my lord for a son? Did I not say, 'Do not deceive me?'" 29 He said to Gehazi, "Tie up your garment and take my staff in your hand and go. If you meet anyone, do not greet him, and if anyone greets you, do not reply. And lay my staff on the face of the child." 30 Then the mother of the child said, "As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So he arose and followed her. 31 Gehazi went on ahead and laid the staff on the face of the child, but there was no sound or sign of life. Therefore he returned to meet him and told him, "The child has not awakened." 32 When Elisha came into the house, he saw the child lying dead on his bed. 33 So he went in and shut the door behind the two of them and prayed to the Lord. 34 Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm. 35 Then he got up again and walked once back and forth in the house, and went up and stretched himself upon him. The child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. 36 Then he summoned Gehazi and said, "Call this Shunammite." So he called her. And when she came to him, he said, "Pick up your son." 37 She came and fell at his feet, bowing to the ground. Then she picked up her son and went out.

I know this is a long Scripture to share in an email, but who can stop reading this remarkable story? In a manner similar to Elijah raising the widow's son in Zarephath (1 Kings 17), the Lord uses Elisha for Miracle Number Seven to resurrect the Shunammiite's son. What would be the purpose of giving to this woman a son, causing him to die and then raising him from the dead?

           There are several possible answers to the question. But let's look at this one. In this event, God is giving Israel a picture of what he would do through and with his own Son. Centuries later, the Father would exhibit through Jesus the same resurrection power. Jesus raised a young man, a little girl and Lazarus from death. Certainly Jesus' purpose was to say to the world as recorded in John 11:25-261 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die." And then ask the question, John 11:26b "Do you believe this?" 27 She said to him, "Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world."

                      Then, of course, God caused his own Son to die on a cross. The Holy Spirit then raised the Son to life. God wanted Israel then, and he wants you to know today that he resurrects from the dead, even into eternal spiritual resurrections.

           Celebrate this eternal resurrection: Ephesians 2:1 "And you were dead in the trespasses and sins...4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved."

                      In his boundless love, God lavished his life into the Shunammite's son. And he lavishes life into our souls. As the woman proclaimed, "All is well." I urge you to believe in Jesus that you would live in faith that all is well forevermore in Jesus.

Prayer: Thank you for your resurrection power, Jesus. I know all is well in you. Amen.

2 Kings 4:8-10 One day Elisha went on to Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to eat some food. So whenever he passed that way, he would turn in there to eat food. 9 And she said to her husband, "Behold now, I know that this is a holy man of God who is continually passing our way. 10 Let us make a small room on the roof with walls and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp, so that whenever he comes to us, he can go in there."

THIS is a bit of a change, isn't it? We have seen Elijah and Elisha interact with and care for widows who are poor. God used these prophets to provide food and income for women in their impossible circumstances. Now Elisha comes to a wealthy woman. She has no need of God's miracles in her everyday life. Instead, we see her care for the prophet. What do we learn in this passage?

    First, God's Word is not restricted to a region or a country. We can assume from this passage that Elisha is a prophet on the move. This woman and her husband live in Shunem, just outside of Israel. He apparently is traveling to minister to Israel and beyond its borders.

    Second, the Shunamite (of Shunen) woman knows of God, and she is aware of God's teachings. Knowing God, she recognizes Elisha as a holy man of God. Third, she is acting to help such a man in his work for the Lord. It is good to care for God's teachers.

    Fourth, apparently the woman wants to know more of God. Could it be that she wants Elisha in her household because it will help her know more of God's presence?

    The Shunamite is pursuing God. Without her knowledge God is preparing to bless the woman in miraculous ways. Certainly she does not care for Elisha because she wants something. She offers him food, a lamp, a desk and a place to sleep because it is the right thing to do. She has made room not only in her house but in her heart for a holy man of God.

    Our fifth lesson here is that the Shunamite exhibits to us righteousness. She does what is good under God's teachings because it is the right thing to do.

Prayer: Teach us, Lord to be hospitable in our relationships. Give us gentle spirits to care for those who teach your Word. In Jesus' name, amen.

2 Kings 4:1-8 Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried to Elisha, "Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord, but the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves." 2 And Elisha said to her, "What shall I do for you? Tell me; what have you in the house?" And she said, "Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil." 3 Then he said, "Go outside, borrow vessels from all your neighbors, empty vessels and not too few. 4 Then go in and shut the door behind yourself and your sons and pour into all these vessels. And when one is full, set it aside." 5 So she went from him and shut the door behind herself and her sons. And as she poured they brought the vessels to her. 6 When the vessels were full, she said to her son, "Bring me another vessel." And he said to her, "There is not another." Then the oil stopped flowing. 7 She came and told the man of God, and he said, "Go, sell the oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on the rest."

  HERE is Elisha's miracle number 5 (Stay with me, and you'll see why I'm keeping count.) Perhaps this is his most tender, compassionate response to someone's need. He has cared for the city Jericho, the armies of Israel, Judah and Edom. Now he humbly responds to a widow's plea.

           Here are three lessons we can learn from this Scripture. First, be faithful prophets of God in your household. I use "prophets" here in the sense of teaching others in your home of God's Word. You are to do this two ways - one way is through the reading and understanding of the Bible in your house. The second way to be a prophet is to live each day as closely to the Bible's teachings as you are able. Strive consistently to more faithfully live in God's truth.

           The second lesson is this. Know that as you lead your family in God's ways, you will open doors of blessing into their lives. No, you can't control their response to God's Word, and you can't promise all things will be good for your children. But you will plant into them the seeds of faith that will bear fruit as it is further nourished in Jesus' Living Water.

           Third, seek the Lord for the impossibles. I keep saying this because we need to hear it and believe it. The impoverished widow went to an impoverished man. She didn't ask Elisha for money. She asked him for the Lord. The Lord then blessed her.

           Be one who seeks after the Lord's Word. Know deep in your heart, mind and soul these words Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.

           Living in God's right teachings, you will see God's blessings to care for you. This is not a promise of money or good health, but it is a promise of God's strength in you to meet any challenge that comes into your life, even the impossible ones.

Prayer: Lord God, gives us this daily our daily bread, the life bread for our bodies and our souls. In Jesus' name, amen.

September 26

Are You Seeking God?

2 Kings 3:14-18 Elisha said, "As the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand, were it not that I have regard for Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would neither look at you nor see you. 15 But now bring me a musician." And when the musician played, the hand of the Lord came upon him. 16 And he said, "Thus says the Lord, 'I will make this dry streambed full of pools.' 17 For thus says the Lord, 'You shall not see wind or rain, but that streambed shall be filled with water, so that you shall drink, you, your livestock, and your animals.' 18 This is a light thing in the sight of the Lord. He will also give the Moabites into your hand, 19 and you shall attack every fortified city and every choice city, and shall fell every good tree and stop up all springs of water and ruin every good piece of land with stones." 20 The next morning, about the time of offering the sacrifice, behold, water came from the direction of Edom, till the country was filled with water.

WE come to miracle number four for Elisha. One was God demonstrating his power to judge. The other two, plus this one, center around water.

    The kings of Israel, Judah and Edom have gone off to war against Moab. This is one of the few times, if not the only time, these three nations from Isaac's descendants were allies. Recall Edom's "father" or founder was Esau, Jacob's brother. Israel and Judah were of the 12 tribes from Jacob's line. Most often, these three opposed each other or two of the nations allied against the third.

    These three kings go toward Moab, but they get into trouble. They have no water. In need of relief, they begin to seek God.

    What do you think? Perhaps they should have sought God's leading before they began their campaign.

    Thus they go to Elisha. His reputation as a prophet under God's power has been firmly established. Because of Jehoshaphat, who has begun some reform in Judah, Elisha agrees to seek God's word for the three nations. Then we see the Lord send water to revive the army and to confuse the enemy.

    God has acted to bless his disobedient people again. These kings' lives are filled with sin. They see God perhaps as a good luck charm, or he's their genie they can go to when they are in trouble. Their daily worship is diluted of faith and directed at other gods. They have led their people astray. But because of a few righteous actions by one king, God offers to them a blessing and a victory.

    Do you see God's huge grace here? These are his people. He loves to bless them. Even though they dishonor him, the Lord God honors them.

    Time and again we see God pursuing his people, loving on them when they are adulterous with other gods. He longs to have his own return to him. Too often, they do not, and eventually he judges them. God always, always gives his people the opportunity to experience his blessings.

     Are you in need of life-giving water - the power of God's blessings in your life? Then repent of your sins. And live in the abundant living water of salvation the Lord Jesus as offered to you.

Prayer: Father God, help us to wholeheartedly turn to seek you before we go anywhere or do anything. In Jesus' name, amen.

2 Kings 2:19-22 Now the men of the city said to Elisha, "Behold, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees, but the water is bad, and the land is unfruitful." 20 Elisha said, "Bring me a new bowl, and put salt in it." So they brought it to him. 21 Then Elisha went to the spring of water and threw salt in it and said, "Thus says the Lord, I have healed this water; from now on neither death nor miscarriage shall come from it." 22 So the water has been healed to this day, according to the word that Elisha spoke.

QUICKLY into his ministry, Elisha has demonstrated two miraculous signs in God's power. 1) His cloak parted the Jordan River. 2) He purifies water in Jericho. Isn't it interesting that Elijah's ministry ends, Elisha's begins and Jesus' ministry also begins at the Jordan River? This is also where God's people entered into the Promised Land. Water symbolizes change. Water brings life, and God uses an ordinary river to become an extraordinary symbol of his life-giving change.

    And who of us would think that God would use salt to purify the water? Salt makes water unusable, doesn't it? But salt is an element of creation that is necessary for life. Too much salt, of course, is harmful. But too little salt is also harmful. In fact, without salt, our bodies die.

    Thus we can clearly see God is in this miracle. Elisha is not some enchanter who magically purifies some small amount of water. Elisha is empowered by God to bring life-giving water for drink and for crops to Jericho and its "pleasant" surroundings. 

    God has acted to restore a city and its economy. Do you think its citizens will notice his blessing? In your life, do you notice your "pleasant surroundings"? Do you see God's blessings?

Prayer: Holy Spirit, thank you for the ways you bless my heart with the Father's truth. Thank you for blessing my life with the Living Water, Jesus Christ. Amen.

2 Kings 2:15-18 Now when the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho saw him opposite them, they said, "The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha." And they came to meet him and bowed to the ground before him. And they said to him, "Behold now, there are with your servants fifty strong men. Please let them go and seek your master. It may be that the Spirit of the Lord has caught him up and cast him upon some mountain or into some valley." And he said, "You shall not send." 17 But when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, "Send." They sent therefore fifty men. And for three days they sought him but did not find him. 18 And they came back to him while he was staying at Jericho, and he said to them, "Did I not say to you, 'Do not go'?"

FIRST, the reference to "sons of the prophets" refers to a group of men whom God had anointed to prophesy in Israel. They are not necessarily physical children of other prophets. They are, instead, among the generations of prophets God had appointed in Israel and Judah. The sons of the prophets are God's spiritual children. This is similar to those saved in Christ's blood today whom God calls "children of God" as the Apostle John declares in John 1:12-13 "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God."

    The prophets' response to Elijah's ascension to Heaven seem to suggest they doubt he is really gone. Or they want to be sure of what they have seen. Maybe they are hoping to ease Elisha's grief or their own. Or perhaps they need to check on their faith. Could God do this one final miracle in Elijah's life? In any case, their request is so persistent, Elisha, who has now assumed the mantle of leadership, cannot deny them.

    Here's a leadership lesson. Elisha is being a good leader here. He knows the search is useless. But yet, he honors the prophets. They are passionate to search for Elijah. Why hold them back? If he does refuse them, wouldn't these men always be wondering, "Is Elijah really gone to Heaven?"

    In another sense, the men are searching for God. They want to be assured of the Lord's authority. After the search proved Elijah is gone, they will be settled in their hearts and minds that God has acted so powerfully before them and so graciously into Elijah's life. There was no death's door for Elijah!

    Think of the testimonies they would tell the rest of their lives. Assured in God's power, they would repeatedly tell of this grand event they had personally witnessed. In a fashion, these men represent Jesus' disciples at his resurrection. The disciples doubted. Then they saw. They believed. Convinced of the evidence that Jesus is alive, nothing could stop them from repeatedly testifying to the good news of eternal life in Jesus!

    Be assured, it's good to search for God. When you do, you will see the magnificent work he does. You will be assured and amazed. You will be willing to repeatedly tell the good news.

2 Kings 2:13-14 And he took up the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. 14 Then he took the cloak of Elijah that had fallen from him and struck the water, saying, "Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?" And when he had struck the water, the water was parted to the one side and to the other, and Elisha went over.

WHEN you think of Scripture's great miracles, do you ever list Elijah's parting of the Jordan as in 2 Kings 2:8? How about Elisha doing the same thing here in 2 Kings 2:14? These are extraordinary events! Twice in a short period of time God divides the waters of a river, so Elijah and Elisha can safely cross over. Surely this is as remarkable as the God parting the Jordan in Joshua 4. It is also God's same miracle power that parted the Red Sea. Surely, the same power was on Jesus he walked on Galilee's water. (John 6). God took the same extraordinary measures through these men as he did with Moses, Joshua and Jesus for one purpose: to demonstrate his majesty and his might that all would believe.

           Elisha's time has come to be God's instrument of power over Israel. But do his first words, "Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?" sound as if Elisha is wondering, "Will God actually show up in my work? Will I have the power of Elijah?" This, though, is not a question of testing. This is more of an expression of expectation. Elisha expects God's affirming response. He acknowledges he needs God to part the waters, to do the miracles. The cloak and his own life are mere tools in the hands of the Lord God. Elisha is telling God, "I'm ready now for the 'double portion' to be in me."

           Yes, the river's parting shows the witnesses that Elisha truly succeeds Elijah. They confess "The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha." Elisha begins to live in the authority of his calling, and the public proclamation begins to go forth.

           What about you? Do you feel you are an instrument of God's power? You are, you know, as he has anointed Jesus' blood over you. In your salvation, he calls you to walk faithfully with him. Your purpose is to know the way to the Lord, so you will show the way to the Lord for those who must know. 

Prayer: Strengthen my steps, Holy Spirit, that I will faithfully fulfill the purpose of my salvation. In Jesus' name, amen.

September 21

Empowered

2 Kings 2:6-12 Then Elijah said to him, "Please stay here, for the Lord has sent me to the Jordan." But he said, "As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you." So the two of them went on. 7 Fifty men of the sons of the prophets also went and stood at some distance from them, as they both were standing by the Jordan. 8 Then Elijah took his cloak and rolled it up and struck the water, and the water was parted to the one side and to the other, till the two of them could go over on dry ground. 9 When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask what I shall do for you, before I am taken from you." And Elisha said, "Please let there be a double portion of your spirit on me." 10 And he said, "You have asked a hard thing; yet, if you see me as I am being taken from you, it shall be so for you, but if you do not see me, it shall not be so." 11 And as they still went on and talked, behold, chariots of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them. And Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. 12 And Elisha saw it and he cried, "My father, my father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!" And he saw him no more. Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.

WE have seen Elijah's prophetic ministry through the framework of his faith journey. Elijah faithfully followed God into some impossible places. Doing so, he personally experienced God's life power for his life and the lives of those to whom he ministered.

           My purpose through Elijah's story has been say, "This is for you, too!" Be faithful to experience the "impossibles" God presents before you. Know how personally the Living God's power is for your life and those he places in your pathway each day.

           Other than Moses and the incarnate Son of God, Jesus of Nazareth, and Elijah's successor Elisha, no one in history has been given such live power as Elijah.  But be assured we are no less than these men. Remember and consider, if the Holy Spirit has empowered you to confess Christ as your Lord, if you believe he has redeemed you from your sins, then you have experienced the greatest "impossible" of all! Saved in Jesus' atoning blood, you have the Spirit's power within you. In this living power, you can be confident God will lead you more and more into himself. Be willing to faithfully walk with him.

           Elijah's walk is done. Elisha's walk is beginning. Be sure to read 2 Kings 2:1-5 as well. See Elijah's humility as he desires to go alone to enter Heaven. See Elisha's love for his teacher to witness his beloved leave him, even though it breaks his heart. Hear the knowledge of Elijah's departure in the other prophets. God has made his purpose and his process known.

           The chariots of fire come. Elijah goes to Heaven. Elisha will begin his own faith journey that becomes a "double portion" of Elijah's walk with God.

           This same power of God has come to take you to Heaven through Jesus. Faithfully know you have been given the great portion of eternal life. Go faithfully into the "impossibles" God places before you.

Prayer: Our Father in Heaven, we thank you for the empowering miracle of salvation. In Jesus' name, amen.

2 Kings 1:13-17 Again the king sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up and came and fell on his knees before Elijah and entreated him, "O man of God, please let my life, and the life of these fifty servants of yours, be precious in your sight. 14 Behold, fire came down from heaven and consumed the two former captains of fifty men with their fifties, but now let my life be precious in your sight." 15 Then 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 16 and said to him, "Thus says the Lord, 'Because you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron—is it because there is no God in Israel to inquire of his word?—therefore you shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.'" 17 So he died according to the word of the Lord that Elijah had spoken.

I hope you'll take time to read the first 12 verses of this chapter. In addition to Ahaziah's injury and evil request, you will see God once again protect Elijah from his enemies. As this Scripture passage points out, a captain of 50 men pleaded to Elijah for his life. God had sent a fire to consume two other captains and their 50 men. Those captains demanded Elijah come down and go with them.

           This third captain, though, realized he is dealing with a man of God. He is fearful of being to brash and demanding. Wisely, he alters his approach and humbly requests "Let my life be precious in your sight." This is admitting Elijah has power in the Lord to do with this man's life as he sees fit. He can either save him or condemn him.

           This God-given power is one reason the Jews were wondering about first John the Baptist and then Jesus being the re-incarnated Elijah. Then angel Gabriel pronounced to John's father Zechariah in Luke 1:17 "And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous — to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."

           In several ways Elijah was anointed with the power of life given to later to John and Jesus. We have seen him protected in the wilderness, resurrect a boy, offer daily bread to a widow, speak directly with God and call down judgment on God's enemies. Later we will see him rise into Heaven.

           As the three different captains demonstrated, we either go to before the power of the living God with our demands or in humility. Be humble before God. Show a proper fear of God. Know your life is in his hands. Demonstrate you are willing to listen to him. Act to obey his instructions.        Such a humble heart leads you to the knowledge of God's presence in your life. And as the third captain, you will be saved.

Prayer: Father God, I come to you on my knees. I pray you consider my life as precious in your sight. Create in me a humble heart that I will be faithful to you. In Jesus' name, amen.

 2 Kings 1:1 After the death of Ahab, Moab rebelled against Israel. 2 Now Ahaziah fell through the lattice in his upper chamber in Samaria, and lay sick; so he sent messengers, telling them, "Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this sickness." 3 But the angel of the Lord said to Elijah the Tishbite, "Arise, go up to meet the messengers of the king of Samaria, and say to them, 'Is it because there is no God in Israel that you are going to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron? 4 Now therefore thus says the Lord, You shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.'" So Elijah went.

WHEN Elijah returned from his "mountain-top" meeting with God as recorded in 1 Kings 19, the Holy Bible records in 1 Kings 20-22 a series of incidents that lead to the death of Israel's King Ahab. God uses other prophets to promise and warn the king of victory and defeat. It is remarkable that God would allow Ahab to have any victories at all, considering his idolatrous worship. But God is also looking after his people. For a time, God protects Israel from foreign rule, but the day came when Ahab faced judgment, and he died on the battlefield.

     Now we come into 2 Kings. Elijah comes back on the scene to respond to God's assignment to rebuke Ahaziah. Ahaziah is Ahab's son and Israel's king. We see he is injured in a fall. To seek healing and comfort from his injury, he instructs his messengers to inquire of the idol Baal-zebub.

    This is a horrid thing to do. Baal-zebub was known as the "fly god". "Lord of the Flies" if you will (Has anyone read the book "Lord of the Flies"? It is a story of evil overcoming boys stranded on an island.) Baal-zebub was considered a "good-luck" charm to drive away flies. Belief in this grew to a point where, as commentator Adam Clarke says, "He grew to be a very respectable devil." Indeed, Jesus even referred to this idol in Matthew 10:25 :It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Baal-zebub (or Beelzebub), how much more will they malign those of his household." Jesus used the term here to refer to Satan. This "fly god" became synonymous with Satan.

    Thus Elijah rebukes Ahaziah for seeking healing in evil. It is a tragedy in our Christian faith that we too often rely on luck, chance and even worldly ways to resolve our problems. We neglect and ignore the God who saves us because we negate his power. Our lack of belief is a form of Satan worship as we trust everything but the only One we can trust.

    God judged Ahaziah's idolatrous request. The king would soon die. Do not let your soul die as a result of neglecting God and seeking comfort away from him.

Prayer: Lord God, you have created all things. Turn our hearts to you in all our requests. In Jesus' name, amen.   


September 19

Humble Approach

2 Kings 1:13-17 Again the king sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up and came and fell on his knees before Elijah and entreated him, "O man of God, please let my life, and the life of these fifty servants of yours, be precious in your sight. 14 Behold, fire came down from heaven and consumed the two former captains of fifty men with their fifties, but now let my life be precious in your sight." 15 Then 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 16 and said to him, "Thus says the Lord, 'Because you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron—is it because there is no God in Israel to inquire of his word?—therefore you shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die.'"

17 So he died according to the word of the Lord that Elijah had spoken.

I hope you'll take time to read the first 12 verses of this chapter. In addition to Ahaziah's injury and evil request, you will see God once again protect Elijah from his enemies. As this Scripture passage points out, a captain of 50 men pleaded to Elijah for his life. God had sent a fire to consume two other captains and their 50 men. Those captains demanded Elijah come down and go with them.

    This third captain, though, realizes he is dealing with a man of God. He is fearful of being to brash and demanding. Wisely, he alters his approach and humbly requests "Let my life be precious in your sight." This is admitting Elijah has power in the Lord to do with this man's life as he sees fit. He can either save him or condemn him.

    This God-given power is one reason the Jews were wondering about John the Baptist and Jesus being the re-incarnated Elijah. In several ways Elijah represents a picture of the John and the Christ to come. He carries with him the power of life given to him from God. We have seen him resurrect a boy, offer daily bread to a widow, speak directly with God and call down destruction on his enemies.

    As the three different captains demonstrated, we either go to God with our demands or in humility. Demanding of God will lead to a broken relationship with him. Being humble before God, you are demonstrating a proper fear of God. You know your life is in his hands. You are willing to listen to him and obey his instructions. Such a humble heart leads you to the knowledge of his presence in your life. And as the third captain, you will be saved.

Prayer: Father God, I come to you on my knees. I pray you consider my life as precious in your sight. Create in me a humble heart that I will be faithful to you. In Jesus' name, amen.