Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Based Upon 2 Kings 3:11

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“But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may inquire of the LORD by him? And one of the king of Israel’s servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah.” (2 Kings 3:11).

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In times of distress, danger, and turmoil, when you need support, to whom do you turn? We know that our God is all-powerful (blessed be His name); He is all-sufficient, and yet, He places us in position to be of help and service to others, in His name. He commissions us to intercede for, and give godly counsel to others on His behalf. Again, when you need a bit of a boost, someone who can encourage you in the faith, and support you in seeking unto your God, what kind of person do you gravitate toward? Is it the one with the most public gifts? Is it the one who is always up front or seen all over the Internet, because they minister worldwide? Is it the one who preaches, sings, writes, or teaches the most? Are you “confident” that they can help you, because they are charismatic? Or, are you drawn to the humblest, who may have some of the aforementioned gifts, but are most known for simply serving others? Humility and genuine service to others has become a commodity that is difficult to find. Elisha was one in whom the Spirit of God was, and who knew what it was to humbly serve.

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In your worship time, have a close look at 2 Kings 3. I will not attempt to paint the full portrait here. The bottom line is that Jehoshaphat and his people were in distress, because of the immediate threat of war and destruction. He knew that if the Lord did not intervene, catastrophe would be their lot. This king of Judah was drawn to the prophet for two reasons: One, because the Word of the Lord was with him. And two, he remembered Elisha’s service to Elijah. The Bible says that the king remembered the man who, “poured water on the hands of Elijah.” Elisha humbly served his master Elijah everyday, and among other ways, he poured the water slowly over Elijah’s hands, using also a cake of soap, before every meal. Did you get that? The great Elisha, who would one day receive a double portion of the Spirit of God, which attended Elijah, was in charge of the not-so-great task of facilitating the washing of the man’s hands.

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Well, it turns out that through the power of God’s Spirit, and in the atmosphere of holy music, the Lord did instruct Elisha on what should be done to thwart the nefarious plans of the enemies of God’s people. It was an intricate, miraculous plan given through a man who was not ashamed to serve in even the humblest of capacities. Would it have been an honor to serve the great prophet Elijah? Well, yes! But how many of us would be willing to put, “faithful hand washer” on our résumés?

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Our God has a way of teaching us valuable service in order to prepare us for the trust of outwardly great ministries of service. Are you willing to do whatever God says, no matter how humble or great? Take a lesson from Elisha’s life and see where the Lord leads.--L. David Harris (www.davidwritesalot.com)