CHARIOTS OF FIRE
Suggested Reading: 2 Kings 6-7
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Herod's Gate (named after Herod the Great), also known as Gate of the Flowers, is a gate in the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem. It adjoins the Muslim Quarter and is a short distance to the east of the Damascus Gate. The city gate that is mentioned in 2 Kings 7:1 may have looked like this.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: 2 Kings 6:17
And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then 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.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, as Your disciples asked You, “Teach us to pray!” Even so, I ask You this blessing, not just what to say when I pray, Lord, but to actually do it with fervency. I believe You now for Your Spirit to come upon me, giving me a spirit of intercession. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
As I read our Bible reading for today, which will keep us consistent in the two-year through-the-Bible program, I wrote an entire sermon outline in my notebook. However, my instructions from the Lord, I believe, for this study is to aim for 100 words of teaching. This goal keeps me concise (most of the time I go over the 100 words) and determined to present only what seems to me the most important lesson for the day.
The well known London, England, Pastor Charles Spurgeon preached on “Man’s Extremity, God’s Opportunity.” I think of his message as I meditate on the circumstances of Israel in today’s reading. If you can find the time, click here to read Spurgeon’s sermon (PDF file).
Here’s a little insight about the four lepers mentioned in 2 Kings 7:3. There is a tradition, not in the Bible, that these were the former servant of Elisha, Gehazi, and his three sons. Review from yesterday 2 Kings 5:27.
Yours for fervently inviting God’s intervention in our lives and circumstances,
David
Just as you said, David, the daily discipline of this bible study has caused incredible growth in me. The Word has strengthened me and your daily prayers have empowered me. I have become closer to the Lord and my faith is ever-flowing. Thanks for the link to Spurgeon’s sermon, which I will read.
This morning, I read 2 Timothy 1- 2. 2:11 seems to fit in well with today’s message that our Lord, Jesus Christ, is Sovereign, indeed.
Here is a trustworthy saying:
If we died with him, we will also live with him;
If we endure, we will also reign with him;
If we disown him, we will also disown us;
If we are faithless, he remains faithful,
For he cannot disown himself.
2 Tim 2:11
Blessings, fellow saints!
typo: if we disown him, he will also disown us;
Our reality is that we live in two worlds. We live in the physical world where our sensory perception dictates and our brain responds. We also live in the spiritual world where our human thought-construct has it’s limitation, we then rest on God’s Holy Spirit to guide us into His righteousness. This takes trust through reason and experience but it also takes faith; not a blind leap of faith that simply throws caution to the wind, but a secure confidence based on the truth of God’s Word. This Word tells us that there’s another reality besides what our senses can tell us, this is the reality of spiritual light and darkness. The practice of reading God’s Word daily, digesting it’s truth, learning more about God and His righteousness, praying, and allowing God to lead us into His righteousness, through living out our faith daily, is all a practice of becoming more Christ-like. A lesson for living this life, and life eternal with our Lord.
Amen, brother Scott!
David, your prayer today was right where I was at.
Often the Lord awakens me very early and this A.M.
when I awakened I knew the Lord was showing me
that I was not in a position to intercede because
yesterday I had harbored an offense in my mind. I
know better, not to give offense nor take offense.
I’m so thankful for the power of the blood that cleanses
us from all sin. I love the hymn, and I’ll quote just a
Stanza here for those who may not know it.
There is a fountain filled with blood
Drawn from Immanuel’s veins,
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains; (repeated)
I’m so thankful for the blood of Jesus that cleanses
me from all my sin. Thank you dear Jesus for your
death on Calvary’s cross. You alone are worthy of
our praise and worship and we honor You, Majesty,
seated at the right hand of the Father God. amen!
We see the providence of God at work. He used 4 despised lepers to be the carriers of good news to the city, 1 Corinthians 1: 27 and 28. This news of freedom from oppression would bring life to all.
I have a question that is related somewhat to today’s blog– when a person dies I hear so many well meaning Christians and non-believers say God has a new angel and that bothers me. We don’t become angels do we? My understanding is human and angels are two separate creations– and that we become co-heirs with Christ, so will have authority over angels in Heaven. Do I have wrong? And should I correct those who say it? I know why they say it and it is meant to comfort the grieving, so I am torn between letting think that if it helps or gently correcting the misconception. Any advice from my blog buddies will be appreciated.
That is a theologically based discussion, Donna. Christine said it well, that grieving is a time for compassion and condolences. Bless you, sister!
Thanks for the input. It is always a good rule of thumb if in doubt choose love.
Hi David, Yes, we have to be careful to be balanced in our walk with the Lord. There is an old saying, All Word and we dry up, all spirit and we blow up , but with the word and the spirit we grow up. l find it helpful to stop once in a while and meditate on what we are reading and ask Holy Spirit to enlighten me, and converse with him as we go along. l was introduced to “Soaking in the Lord’s presence” and if l find a quiet place, apart from Bible reading and prayer, just to let him come and fill me with his Spirit,, with no works agenda, it is one of the most refreshing times we can have with him. It takes .discipline to do this if you are a talker, but we must be still at times and let him have his way in us. Some of my friends find resting “in the Lord” with quiet worship music especially helpful,just .basking in his wonderful presence.
That is a wonderful reminder and message, Christine–thank you! Let us all soak in God’s presence and be rejuvenated by His peace! God bless you!
Hi Donna, l believe you have it right. It’s such a sensitive time when someone has just passed on, if it was an unbeliever that just died,l’d let it go, but if it was a believer l’d say something like, Yes, God has another of his children come home to him.
That seems like a reasonable way to handle it, thanks for the reply.
Hi Christine, I have been learning how to soak in the presance of God and
enjoy it very much yes it does take discipline to not have an adjenda. I have
been listening to Julia True on utube.
Lianne Hogg
Yes Donna and Christine thats right our paster once spoke on this subject
he said just as you both said we do not turn to angels when we die.
Some people think like this, but I think this is wrong ,Iwould loe more input on
this subject, God bless you all…..R..
I am glad to hear there are some pastors who address this common misconception from the pulpit. I do think that is where the topic should be addressed, not when someone is in the midst of a loss. It is so common that even believers get confused, like myself.
I heard it so often, I began to wonder if it was true– it sounds harmless to think it, but it troubled my spirit.
I liked Christine’s approach of gently reminding the believer of the truth, and unless the non-believer asks me directly, I will pray for them and leave them to God.
Sorry for typo errors …R….
Dear David and precious fellow bloggers
I am so grateful to the Lord for the very early moments of listening to him in the stillness of the dawn every morning when Gods presence is so overwhelming and also at night when all the surroundings become quiet and still
I am also very aware of his presence His Majesty in this growing fellowship this past year since the beginning of the daily blog .
Thank you David M. for showing us constantly and clearly what giving our life to Jesus is all about.
Have a blessed day to all .