I've just recently been challenged by the prophets of the Old Testament, most notably Elijah and Elisha. What faith they had in God! I was reminded by God just this evening about that incredible story of Elisha and the servant.
2 Kings 6:8-22 (NIV) -
'8 Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, "I will set up my camp in such and such a place."
9 The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: "Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there." 10 So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places.
11 This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, "Will you not tell me which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?"
12 "None of us, my lord the king," said one of his officers, "but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom."
13 "Go, find out where he is," the king ordered, "so I can send men and capture him." The report came back: "He is in Dothan." 14 Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.
15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked.
16 "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."
17 And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
18 As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, "Strike these people with blindness." So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.
19 Elisha told them, "This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for." And he led them to Samaria.
20 After they entered the city, Elisha said, "LORD, open the eyes of these men so they can see." Then the LORD opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria.
21 When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, "Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?"
22 "Do not kill them," he answered. "Would you kill men you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master." 23 So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel's territory.'
Just wanted to really speak to myself, and, God-willing, encourage others who may need it. The God of Elisha is as powerful today as He was in the above story, from long ago.
What challenged me was how close Elisha walked with God. Not only did he pray to God regularly, not only did he know God, but he WALKED with God also, as Enoch did before He was taken away. How many of us can truly say that we walk with God? It is one thing to know Him, but another thing to walk with Him. And because Elisha walked with God, he had great faith in that God. The same faith as that of Elijah, who poured water on the altar numerous times, and in complete faith prayed to God for fire on that altar. Lo and behold, it came! It came because Elijah believed!
My prayer for myself, and for every Christian here, is that God would show us some of that faith today. Take heart knowing that Elijah and Elisha's God is OUR God, MY God aswell. He never changes, He never loses His power, we, or I know I, am just of so little faith.
How many of us see the Lord's horses and chariots of fire? How many of us can truly claim to KNOW God and to WALK with Him? How many of us get alone with Him and wrestle with Him? I feel humbled to answer those questions.
Lord God Almighty, I pray that I would walk with You as Elijah and Elisha did, and that You would show me that same awesome power in my own life. Please Lord, strengthen me in the faith, to be closer with You, mind fully set on You, that You may be the absolute centre of my life.