June 16 - 2 Kings 5:1-8:15

Good morning everyone,

Gosh there is so much packed into today’s reading. In a word … Amazing! We started off with the the commander of the army of Aram, Naaman. What I loved most about this story, and I use that term loosely as they are more than stories, they are actual events that happened and have been retold in the Bible. Much the same as me telling the account of how Matt tore down the old dilapidated fence and reconstructed a new one, the only difference being you’ll only find that story in my journal, not the Bible. Anyway, like I was saying, what I love most about this story is how the young girl from Israel was sharing the story of Elisha, God’s prophet and that’s what led to Naaman being saved. 

It is so important that, as Christians, we reach the hearts of the young so they, in turn, can share the Good News. In 2004 a study was completed indicating that nearly half of all Americans who accept Jesus Christ as their savior do so before reaching the age of 13, and that two out of three born again Christians (64%) made that commitment to Christ before their 18th birthday. The young have an innocence, an acceptance that fades with age. If we want, and we most certainly want, our children to go to heaven, then we have got to be telling them about Jesus from even before they are born and they in turn will pass it on, leading others to be saved. Right on?

Well, I would like to expound on Naaman, the floating ax head and the famine, lots to glean from there, but I only have so much room and I really want to touch on spiritual warfare. In chapter six we are told that the king of Aram believes there is a trader in the house because “somehow” Israel always knew when he would be attacking them.  He’s furious and confronts his men and they tell him, “Yea, not us king. It is the prophet Elisha. He even knows what you say to your wife in your bedroom.” (What!! he’s thinking. Oh please see this in your mind’s eye) Now fuming, the king sends his men out to capture Elisha. Elisha’s servant wakes up the next morning, steps outside and sees that they are completely surrounded by Aram’s army. The dude quickly jumps back in the tent, looks at Elisha and exclaims, “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” Elisha calmly looks at him and says (I love this!)  “Don’t be afraid, those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then asks the Lord to open his eyes to see the magnitude of God’s army there to protect them. You can not make this stuff up. It is so awesome!!!

My little granddaughter loves to come spend the night. Several years ago she was going through a time when she would have terrible nightmares, to the point where she did not want to go to sleep. She would lay awake for hours frightened of what would wake her if she drifted off. Finally she confided her fears in me and so it was that we began to pray for the soldiers of God to surround her, to protect her in her sleep. Every night she stayed, when it was time for bed, we would talk about what we thought a mighty warrior of God looked like standing there with sword in hand not letting anything evil or ugly or scary pass through. We would also ask for God to not only keep the bad dreams out but to also allow her sweet dreams and in the morning, every time, she in fact had received the protection from God’s mighty warriors and had sweet dreams. I love God’s faithfulness!

Friends, spiritual warfare is for real. It would be a very frightening experience, probably your worse nightmare ever, if you were allowed to have your, if I was allowed to have my, eyes opened to all the spiritual activity going all around us at any given moment each and every day. I am certain we would be amazed at how many times an angel has helped us and we didn’t even know it. Psalm 91:11 tells us, “For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” Hebrews 3:2 says, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

Angels ministered to Jesus to strengthen him in Gethsemane at his suffering. Angels also appear at His tomb to roll the stone away when he resurrected and they appeared when He was taken to heaven at his ascension by the Father. I promise you, Angels minister to you too! Amen?

Have a good day and to God be the glory.

God bless you all …