Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Kings 4:38-44.

“38 When Elisha returned to Gilgal, there was a famine in the land.  As the sons of the prophets were sitting before him, he said to his servant, “Put on the large pot and boil stew for the sons of the prophets.”  39 Then one went out into the field to gather herbs, and found a wild vine and gathered from it his lap full of wild gourds, and came and sliced them into the pot of stew, for they did not know what they were.  40 So they poured it out for the men to eat.  And as they were eating of the stew, they cried out and said, “O man of God, there is death in the pot.”  And they were unable to eat.  41 But he said, “Now bring meal.”  He threw it into the pot and said, “Pour it out for the people that they may eat.”  Then there was no harm in the pot.

42 Now a man came from Baal-shalishah, and brought the man of God bread of the first fruits, twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain in his sack.  And he said, “Give them to the people that they may eat.”  43 His attendant said, “What, will I set this before a hundred men?”  But he said, “Give them to the people that they may eat, for thus says the Lord, ‘They shall eat and have some left over.’”  44 So he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the Lord.”   2 Kings 4:38-44.

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“2 Great are the works of the Lord;
They are studied by all who delight in them.
3 Splendid and majestic is His work,
And His righteousness endures forever.
4 He has made His wonders to be remembered;
The Lord is gracious and compassionate.
5 He has given food to those who fear Him;
He will remember His covenant forever.”  Psalm 111:2-5.

Elisha’s miracle of feeding the people with only twenty loaves of barley and fresh ears of grain such that there were even left overs reminds us of Jesus’ similar miracle.  “Then He (Jesus) took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed them, and broke them, and kept giving them to the disciples to set before the people.  And they all ate and were satisfied;  and the broken pieces which they had left over were picked up, twelve baskets full.”  Luke 9:16-17.

And, Elisha’s miracle of making the poisonous stew edible reminds us more generally of Jesus’ miracles of healing.  “Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people.”  Matthew 4:24.

Jesus abundantly gave food such that they all ate and were satisfied and there were even left overs filling twelve baskets.

Jesus abundantly healed such that it was reported He was “healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people.”

Jesus abundantly proclaimed the gospel of the kingdom.  “Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom”.

In summary, today’s Scripture about Elisha points us to Jesus as summarized in John 10:10:  “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;  I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Kings 4:18-37.

“18 When the child was grown, the day came that he went out to his father to the reapers.  19 He said to his father, “My head, my head.” And he said to his servant, “Carry him to his mother.”  20 When he had taken him and brought him to his mother, he sat on her lap until noon, and then died.  21 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, “Please send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, that I may run to the man of God and return.”  23 He said, “Why will you go to him today?  It is neither new moon nor sabbath.”  And she said, “It will be well.”  24 Then she saddled a donkey and said to her servant, “Drive and go forward; do not slow down the pace for me unless I tell you.”  25 So she went and came to the man of God to Mount Carmel.

When the man of God saw her at a distance, he said to Gehazi his servant, “Behold, there is the Shunammite.  26 Please run now to meet her and say to her, ‘Is it well with you?  Is it well with your husband?  Is it well with the child?’”  And she answered, “It is well.”  27 When she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught hold of his feet.  And Gehazi came near to push her away;  but the man of God said, “Let her alone, for her soul is troubled within her;  and the Lord has hidden it from me and has not told me.”  28 Then she said, “Did I ask for a son from my lord?  Did I not say, ‘Do not deceive me’?”

29 Then he said to Gehazi, “Gird up your loins and take my staff in your hand, and go your way;  if you meet any man, do not salute him, and if anyone salutes you, do not answer him;  and lay my staff on the lad’s face.”  30 The mother of the lad said, “As the Lord lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.”  And he arose and followed her.  31 Then Gehazi passed on before them and laid the staff on the lad’s face, but there was no sound or response.  So he returned to meet him and told him, “The lad has not awakened.”

32 When Elisha came into the house, behold the lad was dead and laid on his bed.  33 So he entered and shut the door behind them both and prayed to the Lord.  34 And he went up and lay on the child, and put his mouth on his mouth and his eyes on his eyes and his hands on his hands, and he stretched himself on him; and the flesh of the child became warm.  35 Then he returned and walked in the house once back and forth, and went up and stretched himself on him;  and the lad sneezed seven times and the lad opened his eyes.  36 He called Gehazi and said, “Call this Shunammite.”  So he called her.  And when she came in to him, he said, “Take up your son.”  37 Then she went in and fell at his feet and bowed herself to the ground, and she took up her son and went out.”  2 Kings 4:18-37.

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The Shunammite woman showed her faith.

She laid her dead son on the bed of Elisha, the man of God, believing that God could resurrect her son.

She replied to her husband, “It will be well”, believing in the resurrection of the dead.

She was not daunted by the journey to Elisha, “Then she saddled a donkey and said to her servant, “Drive and go forward;  do not slow down the pace for me unless I tell you.”, showing the steadfastness of her faith.

She answered to Elisha, “It is well.”, showing the present peace that faith produces.

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”  Romans 5:1.

And, although Hebrews Chapter 11, the “Hall of Fame of Faith”, does not specifically name this Shunammite woman, Hebrews 11:35 does generally state that by faith, “Women received back their dead by resurrection …”  as this Shunammite woman by her faith received back her dead son by resurrection.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Kings 4:8-17.

“Now there came a day when Elisha passed over to Shunem, where there was a prominent woman, and she persuaded him to eat food.  And so it was, as often as he passed by, he turned in there to eat food.  She said to her husband, “Behold now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God passing by us continually.  Please, let us make a little walled upper chamber and let us set a bed for him there, and a table and a chair and a lampstand;  and it shall be, when he comes to us, that he can turn in there.”

One day he came there and turned in to the upper chamber and rested.  Then he said to Gehazi his servant, “Call this Shunammite.”  And when he had called her, she stood before him.  He said to him, “Say now to her, ‘Behold, you have been careful for us with all this care;  what can I do for you?  Would you be spoken for to the king or to the captain of the army?’”  And she answered, “I live among my own people.”  So he said, “What then is to be done for her?”  And Gehazi answered, “Truly she has no son and her husband is old.”  He said, “Call her.”  When he had called her, she stood in the doorway.  Then he said, “At this season next year you will embrace a son.”  And she said, “No, my lord, O man of God, do not lie to your maidservant.”

The woman conceived and bore a son at that season the next year, as Elisha had said to her.”  2 Kings 4:8-17.

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The Shunammite woman was good to the prophet Elisha, and she received a great reward of a son.

“So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”  Galatians 6:10.

“He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.  He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward;  and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward.  And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.”  Matthew 10:40-42.

“Then the King will say to those on His right, ‘Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.  For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat;  I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink;  I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;  naked, and you clothed Me;  I was sick, and you visited Me;  I was in prison, and you came to Me.’  Then the righteous will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink?  And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You?  When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?’  The King will answer and say to them, ‘Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.’”  Matthew 25:34-40.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Kings 4:1-7.

“1 Now a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord;  and the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.”  2 Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you?  Tell me, what do you have in the house?”  And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.”  3 Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels at large for yourself from all your neighbors, even empty vessels; do not get a few.  4 And you shall go in and shut the door behind you and your sons, and pour out into all these vessels, and you shall set aside what is full.”  5 So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons;  they were bringing the vessels to her and she poured.  6 When the vessels were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.”  And he said to her, “There is not one vessel more.”  And the oil stopped.  7 Then she came and told the man of God.  And he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debt, and you and your sons can live on the rest.”   2 Kings 4:1-7.

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We notice two things about this widow that were important for her to receive the miracle.  First, she “cried out to Elisha”.  Second, her husband (and presumably herself) “feared the LORD”.

When we review the following Scriptures in the Psalms, we see these two common elements present.  I highlight the element of fearing the LORD described in different ways.

“In my distress I called upon the Lord,
And cried to my God for help;
He heard my voice out of His temple,
And my cry for help before Him came into His ears.”  Psalm 18:6.

“To You they cried out and were delivered;
In You they trusted and were not disappointed.”  Psalm 22:5.

“6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him
And saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him,
And rescues them.”  Psalm 34:6-7.

“15 The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous
And His ears are open to their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against evildoers,
To cut off the memory of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry, and the Lord hears
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
And saves those who are crushed in spirit.”  Psalm 34:15-18.

“1 Hear my cry, O God;
Give heed to my prayer.
2 From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For You have been a refuge for me,
A tower of strength against the enemy.
4 Let me dwell in Your tent forever;
Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings.  Selah.”  Psalm 61:1-4.

“3 Be gracious to me, O Lord,
For to You I cry all day long.
4 Make glad the soul of Your servant,
For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.”  Psalm 86:3-4.

“17 The Lord is righteous in all His ways
And kind in all His deeds.
18 The Lord is near to all who call upon Him,
To all who call upon Him in truth.
19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him;
He will also hear their cry and will save them.
20 The Lord keeps all who love Him,
But all the wicked He will destroy.”  Psalm 145:17-20.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Kings Chapter 3.  This chapter covers the subservience of Moab to Israel and their payment of tribute to Israel, the rebellion of Moab against Israel after the death of Ahab, and the military campaign to quash of the rebellion.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Kings+3&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“9 So the king of Israel went with the king of Judah and the king of Edom;  and they made a circuit of seven days’ journey, and there was no water for the army or for the cattle that followed them. 10 Then the king of Israel said, “Alas! For the Lord has called these three kings to give them into the hand of Moab.” 11 But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there not a prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of the Lord by him?” And one of the king of Israel’s servants answered and said, “Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who used to pour water on the hands of Elijah.” 12 Jehoshaphat said, “The word of the Lord is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him.

“13 Now Elisha said to the king of Israel, “What do I have to do with you?  Go to the prophets of your father and to the prophets of your mother.”  And the king of Israel said to him, “No, for the Lord has called these three kings together to give them into the hand of Moab.” 14 Elisha said, “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.  15 But now bring me a minstrel.”  And it came about, when the minstrel played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him.  16 He said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Make this valley full of trenches.’  17 For thus says the Lord, ‘You shall not see wind nor shall you see rain;  yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you shall drink, both you and your cattle and your beasts.  18 This is but a slight thing in the sight of the Lord;  He will also give the Moabites into your hand.  19 Then you shall strike every fortified city and every choice city, and fell every good tree and stop all springs of water, and mar every good piece of land with stones.’”  20 It happened in the morning about the time of offering the sacrifice, that behold, water came by the way of Edom, and the country was filled with water.”

21 Now all the Moabites heard that the kings had come up to fight against them.  And all who were able to put on armor and older were summoned and stood on the border.  22 They rose early in the morning, and the sun shone on the water, and the Moabites saw the water opposite them as red as blood.  23 Then they said, “This is blood;  the kings have surely fought together, and they have slain one another. Now therefore, Moab, to the spoil!”  24 But when they came to the camp of Israel, the Israelites arose and struck the Moabites, so that they fled before them;  and they went forward into the land, slaughtering the Moabites.”  2 Kings 3:9-24.

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The most urgent need was for water.  If the military campaign had to end, and they had to turn back and not receive any tribute from Moab for at least a while, that was acceptable.  But, they needed water to survive.

They sought a prophet of the LORD to inquire of the LORD.

What they received was more than just water.  They received a total victory over Moab.

And, how they received the victory was equally amazing.  The water was not brought by wind or rain as it is commonly received.  And, the water was used by the LORD to gain the total victory.  The water appeared as blood to Moab in early morning when the sun shone on it, and the water enticed Moab to give up its superior defensive position to be exposed to Israel.

“This is but a slight thing in the sight of the Lord”  Verse 18.

“‘Ah Lord God!  Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm!  Nothing is too difficult for You,”  Jeremiah 32:17.

“Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, saying, “Behold,  I am the Lord, the God of all flesh;  is anything too difficult for Me?”  Jeremiah 32:27.

Today, this week, or this year, you too may have an urgent need and make a prayer request to the LORD.

The LORD may dazzle you too.  The LORD may grant more than what you request, and He may show off too on how He grants your request.  “but just as it is written, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.”  1 Corinthians 2:9.

“He is your praise and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen.”  Deuteronomy 10:21.

“Let all the earth fear the Lord;
Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.”  Psalm 33:8.

“6 Men shall speak of the power of Your awesome acts,
And I will tell of Your greatness.
7 They shall eagerly utter the memory of Your abundant goodness
And will shout joyfully of Your righteousness.”  Psalm 145:6-7.

“5 Come and see the works of God,
Who is awesome in His deeds toward the sons of men.
6 He turned the sea into dry land;
They passed through the river on foot;
There let us rejoice in Him!
7 He rules by His might forever;
His eyes keep watch on the nations;
Let not the rebellious exalt themselves.  Selah.”  Psalm 66:5-7.

Nothing is too difficult for our Almighty God and Faithful Father!   

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Kings 2:15-25.

“15 Now when the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho opposite him saw him, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.”  And they came to meet him and bowed themselves to the ground before him.  16 They said to him, “Behold now, there are with your servants fifty strong men, please let them go and search for your master; perhaps the Spirit of the Lord has taken him up and cast him on some mountain or into some valley.”  And he said, “You shall not send.”  17 But when they urged him until he was ashamed, he said, “Send.” They sent therefore fifty men;  and they searched three days but did not find him.  18 They returned to him while he was staying at Jericho; and he said to them, “Did I not say to you, ‘Do not go’?”

19 Then the men of the city said to Elisha, “Behold now, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees;  but the water is bad and the land is unfruitful.”  20 He said, “Bring me a new jar, and put salt in it.” So they brought it to him.  21 He went out to the spring of water and threw salt in it and said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘I have purified these waters;  there shall not be from there death or unfruitfulness any longer.’”  22 So the waters have been purified to this day, according to the word of Elisha which he spoke.

23 Then he went up from there to Bethel;  and as he was going up by the way, young lads came out from the city and mocked him and said to him, “Go up, you baldhead;  go up, you baldhead!”  24 When he looked behind him and saw them, he cursed them in the name of the Lord.  Then two female bears came out of the woods and tore up forty-two lads of their number.  25 He went from there to Mount Carmel, and from there he returned to Samaria.”  2 Kings 2:15-25.

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In today’s Scripture, Elisha provides us an example of five Godly qualities that we see in the following 1 Peter 4:14-19.  I will first quote 1 Peter 4:14-19 and then tie Elisha’s qualities to the relevant part of 1 Peter 4:14-19.  Hopefully, Elisha’s example in today’s Scripture and 1 Peter 4:14-19 will combine to help us exhibit those Godly qualities.

“12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;  13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.  14 If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.  15 Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler;  16 but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.  17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God;  and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?  18 And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner?  19 Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.”   1 Peter 4:14-19.

First, “they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.”  Verse 15.  Likewise, in 1 Peter 4:14, we read “the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”

Second, we see that Elisha urged the fifty strong men to not search for Elijah.  He wanted to spare them the trouble.  Elisha was not a troublesome meddler.  Verses 15-18.  Likewise, in 1 Peter 4:15, we read:  “Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler.”

Third, Elisha did good in purifying the water.  He did what was right.  Verses 19-22.  Likewise, in 1 Peter 4:19., we read:  “Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.”

Fourth, to a degree, Elisha was reviled and experienced suffering when “young lads came out from the city and mocked him and said to him, “Go up, you baldhead;  go up, you baldhead!”  Verse 23.  Likewise, in 1 Peter 4:13-16, we read that Christians will “share the sufferings of Christ” and be “reviled for the name of Christ” and “suffers as a Christian”.

Fifth, Elisha had to endure this difficulty and suffering, but the young lads who reviled him were tore up by two bears.  Verses 23-24.  Likewise, in 1 Peter 4:18, we read:  “And if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved, what will become of the godless man and the sinner?”

In summary, through God’s grace, when we experience a little suffering as a Christian, let us not be surprised.  Let us live by the Holy Spirit.  Let us walk by the Holy Spirit.  Let us not snap back and do evil in return.  Let us endure.  Let us do what is good and right.  Let us rejoice that we have a faithful Creator Who will cause us to do what is right and Who will guard and preserve our soul to salvation.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Kings 2:1-14.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Kings+2&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“8 Elijah took his mantle and folded it together and struck the waters, and they were divided here and there, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground.

9 When they had crossed over, Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask what I shall do for you before I am taken from you.”  And Elisha said, “Please, let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.”  10 He said, “You have asked a hard thing.  Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you;  but if not, it shall not be so.”  11 As they were going along and talking, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire and horses of fire which separated the two of them.  And Elijah went up by a whirlwind to heaven.  12 Elisha saw it and cried out, “My father, my father, the chariots of Israel and its horsemen!”  And he saw Elijah no more.  Then he took hold of his own clothes and tore them in two pieces.  13 He also took up the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and returned and stood by the bank of the Jordan.  14 He took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him and struck the waters and said, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?”  And when he also had struck the waters, they were divided here and there;  and Elisha crossed over.”  2 Kings 2:8-14.

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In sharpest contrast to Ahaziah who was punished for not seeking the God of Israel, but rather who sought to inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether he would recover from his sickness (in the previous chapter), Elisha immediately sought God after he took up Elijah’s mantle to begin his own ministry as shown by his words:  “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” 

“Seek the Lord while He may be found;
Call upon Him while He is near.”  Isaiah 55:6.

And, what were the results of Elijah seeking the LORD? 

“And when he also had struck the waters, they were divided here and there;  and Elisha crossed over.”  Verse 14.

Today, we cross over from a weekend of rest and recreation to a week of work.  Some of us will cross over into new employment or new projects or new challenges.

Will we just proceed to cross over? 

Or, will we first seek the LORD?   

“⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.”  Proverbs 3:5-6.

“9 The Lord also will be a stronghold for the oppressed,
A stronghold in times of trouble;
10 And those who know Your name will put their trust in You,
For You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.”  Psalm 9:9-10.

“The young lions do lack and suffer hunger;
But they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing.”  Psalm 34:10.

“3 Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad.
4 Seek the Lord and His strength;
Seek His face continually.”  Psalm 105:3-4.

“Evil men do not understand justice,
But those who seek the Lord understand all things.”  Proverbs 28:3-4.

“25 The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,
To the person who seeks Him.                                                                                                                                      26 It is good that he waits silently
For the salvation of the Lord.
27 It is good for a man that he should bear
The yoke in his youth.
28 Let him sit alone and be silent
Since He has laid it on him.
29 Let him put his mouth in the dust,
Perhaps there is hope.
30 Let him give his cheek to the smiter,
Let him be filled with reproach.
31 For the Lord will not reject forever,
32 For if He causes grief,
Then He will have compassion
According to His abundant lovingkindness.”  Lamentations 3:25-32.

“Seek the Lord,
All you humble of the earth
Who have carried out His ordinances;
Seek righteousness, seek humility.
Perhaps you will be hidden
In the day of the Lord’s anger.”  Zephaniah 2:3.

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Kings Chapter 1.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Kings+1&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“2 And Ahaziah fell through the lattice in his upper chamber which was in Samaria, and became ill.  So he sent messengers and said to them, “Go, inquire of Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I will 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?’ 

…

9 Then the king sent to him a captain of fifty with his fifty.  And he went up to him, and behold, he was sitting on the top of the hill.  And he said to him, “O man of God, the king says, ‘Come down.’”  10 Elijah replied to the captain of fifty, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty.”  Then fire came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty.

11 So he again sent to him another captain of fifty with his fifty.  And he said to him, “O man of God, thus says the king, ‘Come down quickly.’”  12 Elijah replied to them, “If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty.”  Then the fire of God came down from heaven and consumed him and his fifty.

13 So he again sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty.  When the third captain of fifty went up, he came and bowed down on his knees before Elijah, and begged him and said to him, “O man of God, please let my life and the lives of these fifty servants of yours be precious in your sight.  14 Behold fire came down from heaven and consumed the first two captains of fifty with their fifties;  but now let my life be precious in your sight.”  15 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 Then he 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 where you have gone up, but shall surely die.’”

17 So Ahaziah died according to the word of the Lord which Elijah had spoken.  And because he had no son, Jehoram became king in his place in the second year of Jehoram the son of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah.”  2 Kings Chapter 1:  Verses 2-3 and 9-17.

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We may laugh and scoff at Ahaziah for seeking an answer to his question only from Baal-zebub, the god of Ekron, but do we also seek answers to our questions about how to live only from sources other from God through His Word, the Bible? 

For example, I am continually tempted to first and only seek advice on how to handle my finances and prepare for retirement from only “worldly” financial magazines, internet sources, and other sources of information rather than from seeking advice from the Word of God.

I am certainly not saying that we should not seek advice from “worldly sources”.  We should certainly learn about stocks and bonds and index funds and employers’ 401ks and individual Roth IRAs and the importance of diversification in investments and the importance of early and systematic saving and when to begin taking Social Security etc.

But, if we only sought advice from “worldly sources”, we would never tithe nor give as we should.  We would never volunteer nor work in certain low-paying areas of employment.  We would worry and be anxious about money much more than we should.  We would love money, the love of which is the root of all evil.  “For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”  1 Timothy 6:10.

In conclusion, for those who seek God and meditate on His Word day and night, there is the promise of security and success.

“2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season
And its leaf does not wither;
And in whatever he does, he prospers.”  Psalm 1:2-3.

Today’s devotion comes from 1 Kings Chapter 22.  Here is a link to this chapter – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+22&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“13 Then the messenger who went to summon Micaiah spoke to him saying, “Behold now, the words of the prophets are uniformly favorable to the king.  Please let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak favorably.”  14 But Micaiah said, “As the Lord lives, what the Lord says to me, that I shall speak.”

15 When he came to the king, the king said to him, “Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall we refrain?”  And he answered him, “Go up and succeed, and the Lord will give it into the hand of the king.”  16 Then the king said to him, “How many times must I adjure you to speak to me nothing but the truth in the name of the Lord?”  17 So he said,

“I saw all Israel
Scattered on the mountains,
Like sheep which have no shepherd.
And the Lord said, ‘These have no master.
Let each of them return to his house in peace.’”

…

34 Now a certain man drew his bow at random and struck the king of Israel in a joint of the armor.  So he said to the driver of his chariot, “Turn around and take me out of the fight;  for I am severely wounded.”  35 The battle raged that day, and the king was propped up in his chariot in front of the Arameans, and died at evening, and the blood from the wound ran into the bottom of the chariot.  36 Then a cry passed throughout the army close to sunset, saying, “Every man to his city and every man to his country.”

37 So the king died and was brought to Samaria, and they buried the king in Samaria.  38 They washed the chariot by the pool of Samaria, and the dogs licked up his blood (now the harlots bathed themselves there), according to the word of the Lord which He spoke.”  1 Kings Chapter 22:  Verses 13-17 and 34-38.

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Ahab died, and thus the people of Israel were without a master as prophesied.

Every man went separately to his own city or countryside, and thus the people of Israel were scattered like sheep without a shepherd as prophesied.

Ahab’s blood was wasted and ran into the bottom of the chariot and was later washed out by the pool of Samaria as prophesied.

In sharpest contrast to the death of Ahab which left the people scattered without a shepherd, the death of Christ drew the people of God together with a shepherd.  “I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father;  and I lay down My life for the sheep.  I have other sheep, which are not of this fold;  I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice;  and they will become one flock with one shepherd.  John 10:14-16.   “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.”  John 12:32.

In sharpest to Ahab who did not die for anyone (or maybe who died for everyone), Christ died for His sheep and only for His sheep.  Not everyone is His sheep.  “But you do not believe because you are not of My sheep.  My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;  and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish;  and no one will snatch them out of My hand.  My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all;  and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.”  John 10:26-29.

In summary, today’s Scripture helps us meditate on “Limited Atonement”, the “L” of “TULIP”, the Five Points of Calvinism, the Reformed Doctrine of Salvation.  

Other doctrine falsely teaches that Christ died for everyone, but if you closely examine their teaching, you see that their doctrine holds that it is not the blood of Christ that controls who is saved and who is not saved, but rather it is alleged man’s free-will who controls who is saved and who is not saved, so in that sense their doctrine teaches that Christ did not die specifically for anyone which would guarantee that they would be saved.

And, other doctrine falsely leaves it to each individual to make their own free-will decision on whether or not they will follow Christ.  That is consistent with the call:  “Every man to his city and every man to his country.”  Although sheep are dumb, other doctrine still teaches that it is still up to the dumb sheep as to whether or not they will follow the shepherd.

But, Reformed Doctrine, through “Limited Atonement”, teaches that Christ died only for His sheep (God’s unconditional elect) but that each one of His sheep will be saved.  “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me;  and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish;  and no one will snatch them out of My hand.”  John 10:27-28.

And, Reformed Doctrine teaches that Christ is the good shepherd Who will gather together all of His sheep (God’s unconditional elect) into one flock over whom He will be the one true good shepherd.  Sheep are dumb, and Reformed Doctrine teaches that it is up to their good shepherd to gather them and cause them to follow Him.

Today’s Scripture comes from 1 Kings Chapter 21.  Here is a link to this Scripture – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+21&version=NASB

I quote only the following verses.

“17 Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, 18 “Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who is in Samaria; behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth where he has gone down to take possession of it.  19 You shall speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Have you murdered and also taken possession?”’  And you shall speak to him, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord, “In the place where the dogs licked up the blood of Naboth the dogs will lick up your blood, even yours.”’”

20 Ahab said to Elijah, “Have you found me, O my enemy?”  And he answered, “I have found you, because you have sold yourself to do evil in the sight of the Lord.  21 Behold, I will bring evil upon you, and will utterly sweep you away, and will cut off from Ahab every male, both bond and free in Israel;  22 and I will make your house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah, because of the provocation with which you have provoked Me to anger, and because you have made Israel sin.  23 Of Jezebel also has the Lord spoken, saying, ‘The dogs will eat Jezebel in the district of Jezreel.’  24 The one belonging to Ahab, who dies in the city, the dogs will eat, and the one who dies in the field the birds of heaven will eat.”

25 Surely there was no one like Ahab who sold himself to do evil in the sight of the Lord, because Jezebel his wife incited him.  26 He acted very abominably in following idols, according to all that the Amorites had done, whom the Lord cast out before the sons of Israel.

27 It came about when Ahab heard these words, that he tore his clothes and put on sackcloth and fasted, and he lay in sackcloth and went about despondently.  28 Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying, 29 “Do you see how Ahab has humbled himself before Me?  Because he has humbled himself before Me, I will not bring the evil in his days, but I will bring the evil upon his house in his son’s days.”  1 Kings 21:17-29.

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As wicked as Ahab was, he did humble himself such that the LORD brought it to the attention of Elijah and decided to delay the punishment to some extent (“I will not bring the evil in his days, but I will bring the evil upon his house in his son’s days.”  Verse 29).

Likewise, we read later in Scripture:  “because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before Me, I truly have heard you,” declares the Lord.  “Therefore, behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace, and your eyes will not see all the evil which I will bring on this place.”’”  2 Kings 22:19-20.

In addition to humbling ourselves before God, we may need to also humble ourselves before men.

“1 My son, if you have become surety for your neighbor,
Have given a pledge for a stranger,
2 If you have been snared with the words of your mouth,
Have been caught with the words of your mouth,
3 Do this then, my son, and deliver yourself;
Since you have come into the hand of your neighbor,
Go, humble yourself, and importune your neighbor.
4 Give no sleep to your eyes,
Nor slumber to your eyelids;
5 Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hunter’s hand
And like a bird from the hand of the fowler.”  Proverbs 6:1-5.

(“Importune” is defined by Merriam-Webster online dictionary as “to beg, urge, or solicit persistently or troublesomely”)

This persistence was shown by Jesus in the following parable.

“Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart, saying, “In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect man.  There was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’  For a while he was unwilling;  but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, otherwise by continually coming she will wear me out.’”  And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge *said;  now, will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night, and will He delay long over them?”  Luke 18:1-7.

In conclusion, to put it all together to get out of trouble (or lessen or delay the trouble), “humble yourself” and “solicit persistently” and “pray and not … lose heart”.