We're in the midst of a battle, facing relentless tests!
There's NO room for STOPPING, PAUSING, or HESITATING! We have no other option but to keep fighting the good fight of faith! Stay focused, keep moving towards God, and DO NOT LIMIT HIM, OUR FINAL VICTORY IS around the corner!
Jesus is coming!
Keep looking up!
2 Kings 13 what an amazing and intriguing chapter!
During Jehoash’s rule, Elisha, our beloved prophet, falls ill and is about to die. It's an unexpected turn, Elisha's incredible work is about to conclude, but this time, there's no passing of the torch. Unlike Elijah, who passed his teachings to Elisha, there's no successor lined up.
The combined efforts of Elijah and Elisha in Israel represent a complete saga. Elisha has been at it for roughly 50 years since his calling in 1 Kings 19 and he's about to go home.
Now, when Jehoash, King of Israel, hears of Elisha's illness, he rushes to see him, worried about the future of Israel without this man of God. Feeling the stress, Jehoash seeks the Lord's favor, finding God ready to listen because of the oppression inflicted upon His people by the King of Syria.
So, the Lord comes up with this interesting plan involving a bow and arrows. It's like a symbolic gesture, representing His impending victory over Syria in an upcoming battle.
Elisha said to Jehoash:
"Take a bow and some arrows.” So he took himself a bow and some arrows. Then he said to the king of Israel, “Put your hand on the bow.” So he put his hand on it, and Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands. And he said, “Open the east window”; and he opened it. Then Elisha said, “Shoot”; and he shot. And he said, “The arrow of the Lord’s deliverance and the arrow of deliverance from Syria; for you must strike the Syrians at Aphek till you have destroyed them.” Then he said, “Take the arrows”; so he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground”; so he struck three times, and stopped. And the man of God was angry with him, and said, “You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck Syria till you had destroyed it! But now you will strike Syria only three times."
2 Kings 13:15-19
The Lord was testing Jehoash, getting him ready for a victory that matched his faith!
Opening the eastern window and firing an arrow, symbolized a declaration of war towards Syria, situated east of Israel. Jehoash's act of shooting the arrows reflected his faith and determination to believe in God!
Jehoash didn't receive specific instructions on the number of times to strike the ground; it was a test of his faith in what God was "capable" of doing! Elisha was deeply upset to see Jehoash's lack of persistence and faith—he stopped at 3 when he should have continued shooting his arrow 5 or 6 times! His effort was only half of what was needed, resulting in a partial victory. Essentially, Elisha implied that Jehoash should have struck Syria until its destruction, but instead, he stopped at three strikes - and only three times did Israel defeat Syria, as seen at the end of the chapter.
No matter what situation you're facing, declare war on your enemy, and DO NOT LIMIT GOD! Don't restrict your victory! Keep shooting your arrows until you can't shoot anymore—give it your all!
We're nearing the finish line!
This battle is the toughest one we've faced, the ultimate test of our faith. Stay focused, don't let the enemy or the allure of the "Christmas" season distract you! Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, and keep shooting those arrows, God is about to grant us total victory! Keep looking UP —we're almost home!
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IF YOU ARE NOT IN CHRIST, GET SAVED RIGHT NOW!
THERE IS NOT MUCH TIME LEFT!
Believe Jesus is the Son of God, who shed His blood for you, died on the cross for our sins, He was buried and resurrected during the third day, according to the Scriptures, so we can have eternal life with Him.
The moment you believe in Him and that He died for your sins - you're saved, justified, sealed until the day of redemption, and rapture ready!
The Holy Spirit will come to live inside of you - He will help you, guide you, change you, and be with you FOREVER!
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." (John 3:16-18)
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