Tag Archives: devotionals
For such a time as this ( Day 26)
Bethel was a place of great promises and blessing being to Jacob. Later on, though things changed. The House of God became a Place of Rebellion against God. During the time of the kings, after Solomon was dead ( but before the time of Elijah & Elisha ), the ten tribes of the North rebelled against Rehoboam, the son of Solomon. Under the leadership of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat. In a bid to stop his people travelling far south to Jerusalem to worship at the temple, Jeroboam erected two golden calves as idols, which the people of Israel worshipped. He set up one in Dan in the far North, and one was set up in Bethel. 1 Kings 12: 32 shows how he also offered sacrifices to the golden calves and had pagan priests serve there. Continue reading
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For Such a time as this ( Day 25)
Two very well known Biblical cities are mentioned in 2 Kings 2- Jericho and Bethel. Both in their own way are very well known throughout scripture, but both were in Elisha’s day spiritually dead and far from God. Tomorrow we’ll look at Bethel; today I’d like to look briefly at Jericho.
Finding himself at the river Jordan, Elisha is at the ancient city of Jericho, but it is plain from what the people have to say that things are not good there. ‘Now the men of the city said to Elisha, “Behold, the situation of this city is pleasant, as my lord sees, but the water is bad, and the land is unfruitful.” (2 Kings 2:19 ESV) Jericho is ‘the city of Palms’ and situated in a pleasant oasis on the Jordan River. It is 800 feet below sea level and enjoys almost perpetual sunshine, excellent fertile ground from the alluvial deposits of the Jordan and a continually flowing spring Ein es-Sultan ( mentioned in verse 21) that irrigates the land. Continue reading
For such a time as this ( day 24)
It does seem as if a double portion of Elijah’s spirit did indeed rest upon Elijah, and throughout his life, he lived in a very different way from Elijah. While Elijah’s life was solitary, Elisha’s life was spent much more among people, and what is more twice as many miracles were performed by Elisha as by Elijah. Elijah (like John the Baptist himself) lived apart from people, and he emphasised the law, judgment, and the need for repentance form the people. But Elisha, like Jesus, lived among the people and emphasised grace, life, and hope (see for example the following passages in 2 Kings 4:8–37; 2 Ki 6:14–23; 2 Ki 8:7–15) Elisha was going to make his mark, and what is more fulfil the plans that God had revealed to Elijah a while before (1 Kings 19: 16). Continue reading
For such a time as this ( Day 23)
The mantle was all that Elisha had as a tangible reminder of his great mentor, but as that mantle fell, and in picking it up, the baton so to speak was passed to him. Elisha had asked for a double portion of the spirit of Elijah ( verse 9-10). Even Elijah admitted that this was a hard thing, but it was what Elisha needed and received. Even to have a fraction of the faith that Elijah had would be wonderful, but to ask for a double portion and what is more to receive it, was the greatest blessing Elisha could have. Continue reading
For Such a time as this Day 21
If there is one thing that Elijah is well known for it is the Chariots of fire. His last few moments on this earth seem to sum up his life and seal his testimony as the greatest of all Israel’s prophets. He is always known as the prophet of fire, the one whom God answered with fire upon the altar. In the end, Elijah is remembered for the chariots of fire that were to sweep him up to heaven. It is appropriate that this great man who has single-handedly raised up the altar of the Lord in Israel once again and championed the cause of his God, is taken up to heaven in such a glorious way. Continue reading
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Tagged 1 Kings, Bible Notes, Bible Study, Coronavirus, devotionals, Elijah and Elisha
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For such a time as this Day 18
In all the passages we have looked at and indeed in all of the story of Elijah thus far, this is undoubtedly the most difficult if not even troubling passage. Many Christians over the years have had difficulty accepting some of what we read in 1 Kings 22:13 and following. Could it possibly be the case that God would send forth a lying spirit as verse 22 seems to suggest? Could God approve of such lies? Continue reading
For such a time as this (day 17) Vengeance is mine
The comfort we can take from this is that revenge and justice are the Lord’s and He will repay, evil people will not get off with it, and they will all ultimately pay the price as Ahab did for selling themselves to do evil in the Lord’s sight. Nothing is hidden from our God, and although it might seem to some as if justice sleeps, that is not the case. The utter destruction that God was to visit upon the house of Ahab, may have as in other cases too taken years to transpire but as the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his poem “Retribution” puts it in his translation of an earlier work
Though the mills of God grind slowly; Yet they grind exceeding small; Though with patience He stands waiting With exactness grinds He all. Continue reading
For such a time as this Day 16
‘The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. (1 Kings 19:15 NIV)
It is a great comfort to know that God is in complete control even when we are not! The latter part of 1 Kings 19 shows us that God had a purpose and a plan in everything that had happened and that He was working His purposes out using Elijah to do so. Continue reading
FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS (day 12 – take 2)
On the twelfth day of these notes, we look today at what is the climax so far to the story of the life and ministry of Elijah. There are times where we may recall exactly what we were doing and where we were when we heard some news or witnessed a great historic event. I recall where I was on hearing the news of the 9/11 attacks in New York. I was in a rubbish dump! Clearing out stuff for my mother. Continue reading
FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS (day 13)
Rain is not something we go looking for in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. We seem to get more than our fair share of it, and this summer has been no exception! However in the time of Elijah and especially after three years of drought, the rain was more than welcome, it was needed for life itself. Continue reading
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Tagged 1 Kings, Bible Notes, Bible Study, devotionals, Elijah and Elisha, Holy Spirit, revival, Tarbert, Tarbert Church
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