TOTAL VICTORY by Gary Wilkerson
We read about the final lesson from Elisha's life — and what a lesson it is! When the famous prophet was on his deathbed, Joash, the king of Israel, wept aloud that Israel's great prophetic light was about to go out.
Elisha rallied briefly to bring the king hope. He instructed the king to shoot arrows into the air, so Joash did. Then Elisha told him to take the arrows and strike them into the ground and Joash complied, striking the ground with the arrows three times.
What Elisha did next was surprising. “Then the man of God was angry with him and said, ‘You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck down Syria until you had made an end of it, but now you will strike down Syria only three times’” (2 Kings 13:19 ESV).
This may seem like one more strange scene from Elisha's life but the fact is, God's prophet was still all about faith-building. He was telling the king, "How dare you expect so little from God. You could have defeated Syria five or six times, but you will settle for only three."
Elisha's words here apply to every Christian today. Our Lord wants us to go beyond limited victories. The stories He provides are to help us build our faith and inspire us to be hungry for Him to act. Elisha tells us, "God will give you as many victories as you are willing to lay hold of. Keep striking the ground in faith."
This isn't some heartless demand. It is deeply compassionate. God wants every spouse in a hurting marriage to know, "I don't want you to settle. I want every rift to be fully healed, not just partially. I want you to know the fullest joy in loving each other. That is my design for you."
Regardless of your situation, pray with me: "Lord, open our eyes to You in our crisis. In the midst of our need, fill our jars. In our difficult battle, show us your chariots of fire. And on the brink of defeat, remind us that You are already driving away our enemies. Stir our faith so that we continue to strike the ground with belief. And remind us to seek rest in You."
May God open your eyes to the miracle He has begun in your situation. He has surrounded you with chariots of fire and all the forces of heaven are at His disposal to provide for you and protect you. He is already bringing your victory!
Elisha rallied briefly to bring the king hope. He instructed the king to shoot arrows into the air, so Joash did. Then Elisha told him to take the arrows and strike them into the ground and Joash complied, striking the ground with the arrows three times.
What Elisha did next was surprising. “Then the man of God was angry with him and said, ‘You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck down Syria until you had made an end of it, but now you will strike down Syria only three times’” (2 Kings 13:19 ESV).
This may seem like one more strange scene from Elisha's life but the fact is, God's prophet was still all about faith-building. He was telling the king, "How dare you expect so little from God. You could have defeated Syria five or six times, but you will settle for only three."
Elisha's words here apply to every Christian today. Our Lord wants us to go beyond limited victories. The stories He provides are to help us build our faith and inspire us to be hungry for Him to act. Elisha tells us, "God will give you as many victories as you are willing to lay hold of. Keep striking the ground in faith."
This isn't some heartless demand. It is deeply compassionate. God wants every spouse in a hurting marriage to know, "I don't want you to settle. I want every rift to be fully healed, not just partially. I want you to know the fullest joy in loving each other. That is my design for you."
Regardless of your situation, pray with me: "Lord, open our eyes to You in our crisis. In the midst of our need, fill our jars. In our difficult battle, show us your chariots of fire. And on the brink of defeat, remind us that You are already driving away our enemies. Stir our faith so that we continue to strike the ground with belief. And remind us to seek rest in You."
May God open your eyes to the miracle He has begun in your situation. He has surrounded you with chariots of fire and all the forces of heaven are at His disposal to provide for you and protect you. He is already bringing your victory!