Day 99

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Elijah Transported to Heaven!

2 Kings Introduction

As the glory of the once-united kingdom erodes, both Israel and Judah pursue a collision course with captivity. In spite of the efforts of Elisha and other prophets, the division ultimately ends in double deportation. Corrupt Israel is captured and dispersed by the Assyrians; a century later Judah is taken to Babylonia. God's patience is long and his pleading persistent, but his love can also be tough. As a result, the kingdom divided (in 1 Kings) becomes the kingdom dissolved (in 2 Kings).

Scripture

April 8—2 Kings 1-3: Elijah's Successor

Observation

The prophetic ministry of Elijah provides the bridge between 1 and 2 Kings. God directs his spokesman to pronounce the death sentence on Israel's wicked king Ahaziah for seeking counsel from idols rather than God. It proves to be Elijah's last prophetic pronouncement. With his replacement Elisha looking on, Elijah is transported to heaven by a fiery whirlwind and chariot, leaving behind both a cloak and an unfinished calling: to call the people of God to righteousness.

Application

The time to prepare for a crisis is before—not after—it hits. The time to learn to swim is when the water is calm and shallow, not when the flood tides rage! When you have prepared, the unexpected storms of life can become an occasion to show where your confidence lies.

In chapter 3, wicked King Jehoram of Israel and godly King Jehoshaphat of Judah are allied against the Moabites, preparing to attack the from the southwest. After a hard seven-day march they find themselves in the middle of the wilderness with no water. What a revolting development—and what an excellent attitude test! Jehoram responds by blaming God, Jehoshaphat responds by beseeching God. Jehoram looks for a loophole; Jehoshaphat looks for a lesson God wants him to learn.

The same heat from the sun both hardens the brick and melts the butter. How do you react when the heat is on? Before the first crisis of you day arrives ( and count on it—today will have its share!), spend some preparation time with your Crisis Counselor to get his perspective on your problems. You'll find his patented prescription in James 1:2-4. Read it, write it out, and carry it with you. Then you can respond rightly when those crises come!  

Prayer

I pray today, Father God, that we who can stir things mightily for your good purposes will increase in number and power in the world and spread the word about trials and temptations in this world to consider it pure joy whenever we face trials and temptations of many kinds for our faith is being tested and it will produce perseverance and perseverance will finish its work so that we will be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Thank you Jesus! In your holy name, amen!

Count it all Joy!



© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business! 2019

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