The Arrow Of God's Deliverance

The Arrow Of God's Deliverance 

II Kings 13:15-17 NKJV

[15] And Elisha said to him, “Take a bow and some arrows.” So he took himself a bow and some arrows. [16] Then he said to the king of Israel, “Put your hand on the bow.” So he put his hand on it, and Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands. [17] And he said, “Open the east window”; and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot”; and he shot. And he said, “The arrow of the Lord’s deliverance and the arrow of deliverance from Syria; for you must strike the Syrians at Aphek till you have destroyed them.” 

Its very pathetic when the people you had great faith in have to depart the world. We've passed through kingships and changes without hearing anything about Elisha. Today the story is clearer. He was not just old, he was sick, perhaps for many years. Guzik says, " Even men of faith and miracles are not immune to sickness and disease. This great man became sick like others whom he had healed as a channel of the power and blessing of God". It was at this time of sickness that Joash, King of Israel had his final audience with Elisha.

    You probably may wonder why this King was interested in the Prophet when others served evil. We are not told that this King worshipped a false God. This is Guzik again, " ...it is important to remember that Joash was not a worshipper of the false gods; he was a false worshipper of the true God. He had some respect for the true God, and therefore some regard and honor for Elisha". Now we understand the Kings cry and predicament. 

    So Elisha was inspired for one last proohetic action. The story is told of a great man of God who had an accident with his family whereof he died.  His hands were shattered, but he told his wife to carry his broken hand and place on the son. He called the son back to life, but he died. It's beyond human imagination that the very ones who enjoyed miraculous supply of God, will eventually die....Benson Idahosa, Reinhart Bonke, Billy Graham, etc. if we had our way, they should have lived forever. 

   Elisha took the King through one last prophetic action for victory. When demands are placed on the anointed or the anointing, great results can follow. Note Elisha's hand on the Kings hand. That's divine help. My prayers to you this morning is that God's hands will be with your hands to wipe out the enemy in your season....In the Name of Jesus Christ. Good morning.

Jehoahaz The Son Of Jehu

Jehoahaz The Son Of Jehu Reigned 

II Kings 13:1-3 NKJV

[1] In the twenty-third year of Joash the son of Ahaziah, king of Judah, Jehoahaz the son of Jehu became king over Israel in Samaria, and reigned seventeen years. [2] And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, and followed the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who had made Israel sin. He did not depart from them. [3] Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against Israel, and He delivered them into the hand of Hazael king of Syria, and into the hand of Ben-Hadad the son of Hazael, all their days. 

God knows how keep His promise to mankind, even when it sppears to be against His favour. It's only God who can do that. Here is what Guzik observerves. "This was the beginning of the fulfillment of a promise made to Jehu, recorded in 2Ki 10:30. God promised him that his descendants would sit on the throne of Israel to the fourth generation. This dynasty – though founded on a violent overthrow of the previous royal house – continued because Jehu came to the throne doing the will of God". There is something peculiar in doing the will of God. It gives you a throne.

    God is not human. He doesn't practice vengeance. He's God. His will is His word. It is possible to be in the very center of God's will yet the choices we make will look like God was never with us. What a beauty to be born into the will of God! So for seventeen years, Jehoahaz made evil choices, and God was quiet. He promised. Solomon in Eccl. 8:11 explains what was going on here. " Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil". If you only read that, it would make the Christian life like a joke.

     This is the conclusion of the matter. "

Though a sinner does evil a hundred times, and his days are prolonged, yet I surely know that it will be well with those who fear God, who fear before Him. But it will not be well with the wicked; nor will he prolong his days, which are as a shadow, because he does not fear before God". Eccl. 8:12-13. It was not forever when God's anger brought a resolution through Hazael king of Syria, and his son Benhadad. God fulfilled His words to Jehu, but He remained a holy God. You cant be smarter than God. Which is easier: serving God or the devil? Think about it. Good morning.

The End Of Joash

The end of Joash

II Kings 12:20-21 NKJV

[20] And his servants arose and formed a conspiracy, and killed Joash in the house of the Millo, which goes down to Silla. [21] For Jozachar the son of Shimeath and Jehozabad the son of Shomer, his servants, struck him. So he died, and they buried him with his fathers in the City of David. Then Amaziah his son reigned in his place.

In his bestselling book, titled Finishing Strong, Steve Farrar makes a very important statement. " it doesn't matter if you've had a great start in the Christian life, or a rough one. It doesn't matter if you've stumbled time and again, or even fallen flat on your face. What matters most in this all-important race of life is how you finish". Joash didn't read that. According to Farrar, " the man who hangs in there for the long haul with his wife, his kids, and his Lord is an exception these days". That's the kind of man who finishes strong .Joash started well, but he ended up very badly. Long before his murder, the blessings of God had vanished from him.

   Wiseman is of the opinion that, " The murder of Joash by his officials or servants implies that it may have been the result of disaffection following the defeat by Hazael.” knapp says “So disobedience brings its own bitter reward, and what God’s people sow they always, in some way or another, reap. Joash abundantly deserved his inglorious and terrible end.” There's a certain dread in thise words. Lord, may we finish strong! May we not throw in the towel as we near the end.

   This story parallels that of John Alexander Dowie, the Australian born Evangelist in America. " In 1906, Dowie's chief lieutenant, Wilbur G. Voliva, deposed him while Dowie was in Jamaica after suffering a stroke". The case went to court until Dowie died. How committed is your engagement to Jesus. If you start well, will you remain strong? Joash was young when he started. Would he have continued standing if his mentor, Jehoida was still alive? In whatever capacity you find yourself, hold on and finish well. Remember the words of Walter Elliot, "Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after the other". You can finish strong. Someone says, " Finishing strong is more than just completing a task, it's about the mindset and determination you bring to the end of your journey". I think you will finish strong. Good morning.

Hazael Of Syria Became Instrument Of Judgement

Hazael Of Syria Became  Instrument Of Judgement 

II Kings 12:17-18 NKJV

[17] Hazael king of Syria went up and fought against Gath, and took it; then Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem. [18] And Jehoash king of Judah took all the sacred things that his fathers, Jehoshaphat and Jehoram and Ahaziah, kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own sacred things, and all the gold found in the treasuries of the house of the Lord and in the king’s house, and sent them to Hazael king of Syria. Then he went away from Jerusalem. 

The details of this story is also told in 2Ch 24:23-24. The verse says, "because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers. So they executed judgment against Joash".Do remember that Joash and Jehoash is the same person. God can be so loving and protective. Joash experienced all, but you can't expect a continous protection from Jehovah while you serve other gods. Serving other gods, also known as idolatry, is the act of worshipping a being or thing other than Jehovah.

   This is the real deal in relating with the real God. Your motives and attitudes must allign with the word of God. Idolatry may include worshiping demons, money, power, success or ancestors. Its a very easy mistake to make at the height of your accomplishments. Mat.6:24 is very explicit, "

No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon". So God permitted Syria to punish them. Who do you serve? How do you react between time for money and time for God? Do remember God is a jealous God. Good morning.

No Account Required

No Account Required 

II Kings 12:15-16 NKJV

[15] Moreover they did not require an account from the men into whose hand they delivered the money to be paid to workmen, for they dealt faithfully. [16] The money from the trespass offerings and the money from the sin offerings was not brought into the house of the Lord. It belonged to the priests. 

Its very significant that the people who did the repairs on the temple did not require accounts of the workers. Two things stand out: there was good administration and there were people of character. Guzik observes that , " The project was previously stalled, not because of a lack of money, but because of poor money management". God has no problem sending blessings. God is interested in our character.

   Our character builds trust by demonstrating consistent honesty, reliability, competence, and integrity in our actions. This means that people can depend on us to do what we say we will do, making them feel confident in placing their faith in us. Essentially, our character acts as a foundation for trust by showing that we are trustworthy and have good values. 

    Key aspects of character that foster such trust may include:

1.Honesty: Always telling the truth and being transparent in communication. 

2.Reliability: Following through on commitments and promises, doing what you say you will do. 

3. Competence: Having the necessary skills and knowledge to handle situations effectively. 

4. Integrity: Aligning your actions with your stated values and beliefs. 

5. Consistency: Acting predictably and behaving in a way that aligns with your character. 

6. Empathy: Understanding and considering the perspectives of others. 

   Lest we think that the Priests were abandoned, the writer points out two financial sources that kept the Priesthood functioning: the sin and trespass offerings. When we have wisdom, we will accomplish more. Good morning.

Jehoash Had Instructions From God

Jehoash Had Instructions From God 

II Kings 12:1-3 NKJV

[1] In the seventh year of Jehu, Jehoash became king, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zibiah of Beersheba. [2] Jehoash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the days in which Jehoiada the priest instructed him. [3] But the high places were not taken away; the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.

Its important to note that Jehoash had one of the longest reigns in peace. Its also significant that the mother's name is mentioned. She must have become an outstanding guardian in the absence of the father. Much more was the presence and advice of Jehoida, the Priest. Patterson and Austel report that  “After the death of the godly high priest, Jehoash fell into the hands of godless advisors who turned his heart to Canaanite practices.”  Someone says that,              " Behind every great leader, at the base of every great tale of success, you will find an indispensable circle of trusted advisors, mentors and colleagues.".    

      As soon as the Priest died, a fresh group of counsellors turned his heart to serving other gods. Who are the people surrounding your leadership vision? The end of Jehoash is very tragic because of his leadership support. The report is that the high places were not taken away. 

   You will probably wonder why the people were so  addicted to the high places. Its the same reason people are addicted to sin today. What are you addicted to? Carman sang the song: " Addicted To Jesus". He tried to reason why people get addicted to new things, television,videos, or even shopping till they drop. Before you get addicted, please find out who is issuing instructions behind the scenes. Nothing is free. Get the right instuctions from the word Jesus left us. Good morning.

The Last Moments Of Baal In Judah

The Last Moments Of Baal In Judah 

II Kings 11:17-18 NKJV

[17] Then Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord, the king, and the people, that they should be the Lord’s people, and also between the king and the people. [18] And all the people of the land went to the temple of Baal, and tore it down. They thoroughly broke in pieces its altars and images, and killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed officers over the house of the Lord. 

This was a revival. A fresh outpouring of grace was released to end the reign of Athalia and establish God. The death of Athaliah signalled the end of  Baal sponsorship, but not really the end. The Priests of Baal had to be killed. Every deity can be resurrected if their Priests are still alive. Every Priest functions as a mobile altar. So they killed Mattan the Priest. 

   Another important thing they did was to tear down the altar of Baal. The mistake that the worshippers of Baal did was to have the worship of Jehovah running alongside their reign. It gave room to raise the King in the temple. The people weren't going to have that on Baal's worship center. Today we can not kill physically. We can uproot an altar, and slaughter the ministering Priests on our knees. That is the strategy for total extermination. May the contrary altars that had reigned around  you be uprooted in Jesus Name. May your time be free for the reign of Jesus Christ. May you have the freedom you've always desired. 

    The final thing was to make a covenant with God. Covenants are essential drivers in the kingdom. It shows the King the seriousness of your commitment. Note the three way covenant...God, the people and the King. This will be one reason for the success of the king. May you also have a fresh covenant this beginning of the year. We will have tge testimonies at the end. Good morning