But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of the Lord by him?” So one of the servants of the king of Israel answered and said, “Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah.” (2 Kings 3:11)
In a day where men heap exotic titles upon themselves, this is a wonderful title for any servant of God. Elisha’s humble yet practical service to Elijah reflects his unwavering dedication and commitment. The spiritual foundation he gained during this apprenticeship under Prophet Elijah not only honed his abilities but also further equipped him for his future assignments.
But now bring me a musician.” Then it happened, when the musician played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him. (2 Kings 3:15)
This nameless musician was endowed with God-given talents, and he used them for the glory of God. He never thought that his music could do something as big as helping win a battle and change the course of history. But that's exactly what happened. This nameless musician must have rehearsed for hours honing his skills, and one day through this God-given ability, the power of God came upon prophet Elisha.
16 And he said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Make this valley full of ditches.’ 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, your cattle, and your animals may drink.’ (2 Kings 3:16-17)
God promised to send water to the valley, but they had to dig the ditches to catch what God would provide. They had to dig the ditches before the water was apparent, so they could benefit from it when it came.
This demonstrates the principle that God wants us to prepare for the blessing He wants to bring. Listening to Him, we are to anticipate His working and to get ready for it.
It's crucial to note that preparing for God's blessings isn't always a walk in the park. It can be demanding, sometimes seeming as dry and challenging as digging ditches in the arid desert. The Israelites, weary and parched, faced an uphill task. Imagine the scene: exhausted men, mouths dry from thirst, looking up at their leaders as they relay the prophet's command to dig ditches. An overwhelming task, no doubt, but one of absolute necessity. Their survival depended on this preparation.
In the daily grind of life, we may face circumstances that drain us physically, emotionally, or spiritually. These may seem like arid periods, desolate and discouraging. But these are the times when we are called to dig our ditches, to prepare ourselves for the divine showers of blessings.
Perhaps this could mean maintaining a consistent prayer life, even when it feels like you're speaking into a void. It could mean continuing to serve others with love and kindness, even when it's not reciprocated. Or it could mean persisting in the pursuit of personal growth and development, even when the results are not immediately evident.
If we expect to experience the blessing of Pentecost, we must prepare for it. ‘Make this valley full of trenches’ is not advice but a command from the Lord to us.
Preparing for the blessing of Pentecost might involve forgiving someone; it may involve working in unity and harmony, encouraging spiritual growth among members, or reaching out to serve the local community. Even in periods of apparent spiritual dryness, we must continue to create avenues for the Spirit's blessing to flow when it comes.
However, we must always remember that the effort we put in is not to earn these blessings, for God's favour is not won by works. Instead, our preparation aligns us with God's plans, making us ready to receive and multiply His blessings when they come.
Now it happened in the morning when the grain offering was offered, that suddenly water came by way of Edom, and the land was filled with water. (2 Kings 3:20)
When the Israelites offered up their grain on the altar, they were thanking the Lord for His mercies and for supplying their needs. Scripture says that when the grain offering was offered, the Lord supplied their need for water which was crucial to keep them alive.
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