June 25

2 Kings 8:1-9:13, Acts 16:16-40, Psalm 143:1-12, Proverbs 17:26



Pray: Only after an earthquake, potential job-failure, and a near-suicide did the jailer ask, “What must I do to be saved?” God gets our attention in all sorts of ways, doesn’t He? Sometimes it’s subtle, other times chains have to fall. Does God have your attention? Is He trying to get your attention? Pray and ask, “God, what must I do to follow You more closely?”

Read: When chaos reigns, we need a constant. On the stormy seas, we are glad for the lighthouse keeper. When life is out of control, we see counselors. We all need other people to keep us grounded and provide perspective. The prophet Elisha was a constant. We read through all the various kings doing evil in the Lord’s sight, following after the example of Ahab (couldn’t they have found anyone better to model?). Yet, Elisha remains constant, steadfast. He steadily seeks the Lord. We would do well to model our lives after Elisha, the consistent one.

Edify: Even demons tell the truth. That’s what we read in Acts 16. A girl was following Paul and Silas shouting out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, and they have come to tell you how to be saved.” That was the truth. Finally, Paul turns around and commanded the demon to leave her, and instantly it left. Isn’t that how evil works? It masquerades as the truth, as something good, as something fair. Then, destruction typically follows. Be alert, be cautious. What we allow into our lives could be evil masquerading as good.

Practice What would you do if God told you to move? The move is not across town, but to a different town, a new place. What would be your response? The woman from Shunem was quite wealthy. Elisha, the prophet of God, comes to her and tells her to move. She doesn’t call a realtor or liquidate her assets. She moves and leaves behind everything except family. When she returns, seven years later, the king completely restores all she had and even the crops that were harvested in her absence. God always provides when you and I are obedient to His voice. A new campus is starting up, a non-profit is seeking a spiritual leader, God is speaking a career change for you...what is your response?