2 Kings – Chapter 6

So he prepared for them a great feast, and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. And the Syrians did not come again on raids into the land of Israel. 2 Kings 6:23 – It’s rarely easy to show kindness in return to the evil others do to you. Here the Syrians were trying to take out the king of Israel and Elisha, and the perfect opportunity came for Israel to wipe out a massive portion of Syria’s army. Instead though Israel showed them kindness, and let them return home. While we see no more raiders came from Syria, how did the king of Syria respond? By sending a greater army to besiege the city where the king of Israel was. Now not only was evil returned with good, but good was returned with evil. While the choice of repaying someone’s kindness with evil sounds ridiculous, we must understand this is the reality of a world that doesn’t have Jesus as its Lord. Disciples of Christ show love as our response to hate because that’s the example Jesus set for us and called us to follow. This though isn’t the heart of the world, so don’t be surprised and don’t be angry at the Lord, like the king of Israel was, when this takes place. When evil is done to you, return it with goodness. When your goodness is taken and returned with more evil, continue the cycle and return it with more goodness. This though is going to take more from you that you possess on your own. Lean on the Holy Spirit and His spiritual fruit for help. While wildly different than the world will do, choose to respond to evil like Jesus did. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3072

He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 2 Kings 6:16- How beautiful of a message is that! That in our battles we are not alone because we have God fighting with us. Yet what can blind us to the fact that the armies of God are fighting with us? Our worry. Our pride. Our fear. Take hold of this amazing promise that God is fighting for you yet also make sure that your “blinders” are in play. If worry is something in your story that keeps you from seeing God on your side be praying for trust and faith. If selfishness is what keeps you from seeing God working be praying for a selfless heart. Like Elijah did for his servant, be praying that your eyes will be opened past the fear and whatever else so you can see how God is fighting for you and is bigger than what’s in front of you. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 377

Then the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there and made the iron float. And he said, “Take it up.” So he reached out his hand and took it. 2 Kings 6:6-7 – Let’s know certainly God is able to do miracles, but let’s never take them for granted. This chapter and the ones surrounding it are opening our eyes to just some of the miracles God can do. While we aren’t given in every case how the people who experienced the miracle reacted, let’s make sure we react with praise and thanksgiving when our miracles come. When what you’re praying for takes place, when God takes care of something needed, when someone comes to know Jesus as their Savior. Celebrate with thanksgiving rather than letting the miracle just be something we expect, or worse, something we deserve. Know God is going to take care of you and work within your story. Sometimes those ways will be simple, other times it will be miraculous. Either way respond with the loudest praise to Him you have for He deserves it. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1029

When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings6:15-17 – How open are your eyes today? Is what you’re seeing simply the enemy and his army and his strength? It’s very easy to see that, all you have to do is open your eyes to see the enemy’s presence around. Be willing to open your eyes a little further to see what is beyond and surround that enemy army. Like from our passage God’s forces surround that of our enemy and the strength with God’s armies far exceeds that of the enemy’s. Seeing this though takes effort. It’s takes time in the word, time asking for it in prayer; it takes time with God. Don’t be surprised then if seeing God’s strength and power in your story over the enemy is difficult to see if your time with Him is lacking. Experiencing God’s strength like this is deeply connected with your time in His presence. Find yourself with the Lord today and ask Him to open your eyes to His power. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2212