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, 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.