There are MANY lessons that we can learn from the prophet Elisha. This is the eleventh in a series focusing on the life of this great prophet.
“As soon as the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his robes and said, ‘Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!’ When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his robes, he sent him this message: ‘Why have you torn your robes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.'”(2 Kings 5:8-9)
A serious quandary faces the king of Israel. The high commander of his most fiercest enemy’s army stands before him, a leper, with a letter from his king: “With this letter I am sending my servant Naaman to you so that you may cure him of his leprosy.” (2 Kings 5:6)
Put yourself in King Joram’s shoes. Your most fierce enemy has just come to you to heal his commander of leprosy ! I think that in his shoes, I might have been very frightened! In light of this, his response becomes very understandable: “Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!” (vs. 7)
But notice how Joram has just admitted his own limitations. He recognizes that only God can do what is requested, and he is the first to admit that he is not God! He needs divine help, and he humbles himself enough to admit it.
This is when he receives the message from the prophet of God: “Why have you torn your robes? Have the man come to me and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.” (vs. 9)
My friends, you have probably faced similar situations–situations that you, or any other human, can simply not handle on your own. Do not despair! Remember King Joram. Remember that when we humble ourselves enough to realize we need divine help, then and only then does that help come! So the next time you are faced with something you can’t handle, admit it, and give it to God! He will provide for all of your needs!
“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:19)
See next Saturday’s edition of The Nugget for Elisha, Part 12.
Love in Christ,
Lyn
Lyn Chaffart, Moderator, The Nugget, Scriptural Nuggets ( www.scripturalnuggets.org ), Answers2Prayer Ministries, www.Answers2Prayer.org , ]]>
(To access the entire “Lessons From Elisha” mini-series, please click here.)