- And Hazael said, “What is your servant, who is but a dog, that he should do this great thing?” Elisha answered, “The Lord has shown me that you are to be king over Syria.” 2 Kings 8:13 – Hazael was a chief servant to the king of Syria, and while the king was sick Hazael was sent to the prophet Elisha to learn if the king would recover from his sickness. During the conversation with Hazael, Elisha was shown by the Lord what would take place in the near future by the hand of Hazael. Soon Hazael would become the new king of Syria and he would do evil things to the people of Israel. He would murder men, women, and children, and this prophecy was one Elisha shared with Hazael. This could have been an opportunity for Hazael to turn from his sinfulness and repent, yet instead we see him fulfill what was spoken concerning him. Now we don’t have the prophet Elisha today telling us the future sins that are ahead of us, but all of us are aware that the opportunities for sinning is a certainty. Likely we even know the ways we typically trip up with sin and we know the people, who when we are around them, we are weaker against our sin. Like Hazael, the possibility and opportunity for sinning is ahead of us…will we make the choice today to give into it, or will be make the necessary course corrections now so our path doesn’t lead us into those sins? While the opportunity to sin is certainly in our future, the freedom to say no to that opportunity is in your future too. Make the holy choice today to walk away from the path you know will land you face to face with the temptation to sin. Because of Jesus sin doesn’t have to be your path anymore. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3074
- And while he was telling the king how Elisha had restored the dead to life, behold, the woman whose son he had restored to life appealed to the king for her house and her land. And Gehazi said, “My lord, O king, here is the woman, and here is her son whom Elisha restored to life.” 2 Kings 8:5 – Was all that just coincidence or was God’s timing just perfect? That this woman who was gone for seven years just so happened to go talk to the king at the very time that Elisha’s servant was telling her miracle story to the king. She then asks the king for her land at the very moment the king is hearing about her story. Coincidence? I think not. I see God’s hand all over this. We also can see God’s hand all over our story too if we look. I understand that somethings at certain times look out of place in our story and we just don’t get why things happen like they do. Like for this woman to be commanded to leave her home for seven years, things don’t always make since. What we see though is if we will still follow God in the confusing times, He’ll take care of the piecing together of it all because His timing is perfect. Continue to trust that God knows what He is doing. I know waiting is hard, but there’s a reason the wait is here. God is working…trust that He really is working in your story right now. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 379
- And he fixed his gaze and stared at him, until he was embarrassed. And the man of God wept. And Hazael said, “Why does my lord weep?” He answered, “Because I know the evil that you will do to the people of Israel…” 2 Kings 8:11-12a – God knows our heart. He know the thoughts we have that no one else knows about. He even understands the motives behind what we do, even the things we do for Him. Know we can’t hide anything from God. We’re never going to sneak anything by Him without Him noticing. Let’s then allow this truth to be something we carry with us as we make decisions throughout our day today. For just because other people didn’t see you do it or think it, doesn’t mean it won’t have consequences. Live your life wholly holy, not just holy when people are looking. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1031
- And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for the daughter of Ahab was his wife. And he did what was evil in the sight of the Lord. 2 Kings 8:18 – As we have read through 1&2 Kings we’ve seen verses like these over and over as new kings come into power. What I want to point out though with this king was he wasn’t lacking examples to follow. His father-in-law was Ahab, a king who walked away from worship of God in every way possible. His father was Jehoshaphat, a king who remained steadfast in following God. This new king had examples of both choices, following God or not following God as a king. He had access to ask questions, read stories, and see firsthand the lives of kings who either follow God or not. His choice? Walking away from the Lord as king. That was his choice…what will be your choice? You’ve gotten the blessing of seeing both lifestyles and the end result of both; lifestyles of following God and not following God. Today, what sort of life then will you choose to follow the example of? Know God has made the choice to follow Him available to you and blesses the life of those who are faithful to Him. And if you are already walking this faithful path, be praying specifically today for a handful of people you know who aren’t on that path yet that they will change their steps. Joy, peace, and purpose are just a change of direction away for them. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2214
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