SCRIPTURE: 2 Kings 4
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
“How can I set this before a hundred men?” his servant asked. But Elisha answered, “Give it to the people to eat. For this is what the LORD says: `They will eat and have some left over.’ ” Then he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD. [2 Kings 4:43-44]
The Lord endorses Elisha’s prophetic mission with signs and wonders:
Oil and bread multiplied, a miracle birth and resurrection, and bad stew made good.
The purpose of these signs was to confirm his message, to assure everyone that he was speaking for the Lord [see Acts 2:22]
The author wants the readers to know that it was very clear to the kings and people of Israel that the Lord was speaking against them through Elisha.
Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to set before the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. [Luke 9:16-17]
Jesus’ miracles (including multiplying food, raising the dead) make it very clear that God is speaking through Him [John 14:11].
Nicodemus recognizes this: “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.” [John 3:2]
God will back up His mission, and His message.
He will also do this for us; we do not go out in His Name without His backing.
When we pray, He acts; when we serve, He impacts; when we speak, He connects.
As anointed ones (filled with His Spirit, therefore sharing in His three roles of king, priest and prophet), we can be certain that He will endorse our efforts in His Name with signs and wonders.
I cannot predict or decide how and when and where He will act, but He will act, and people will know that a prophet of the Lord has been in their midst.
PRAYER:
Lord, help me to trust that when I speak or act on Your behalf, You will leverage Your Spirit power through me, and do immeasurably more than I ask or imagine. Yes, I can perform signs and wonders, with Your help!
God answers in His time and in His way more than we ever dream of or hope for. We serve an awesome God His wonders to perform. All I must do is to serve Him each and every day – being a Christ follower, His disciple and He will use me to accomplish His purposes. Help me this day, Lord, in the working of Your kingdom. Help me to be Your hands, Your mouth, Your feet as I do Your will. May others see Christ Jesus in me. Help me to be a living letter read by all. Help me in the planting, the watering – – – but You Lord give the increase. It is in that power – by Your Spirit – I go forward this day doing Your will. Lead on Oh King eternal!
Verse 1:
Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Verse 2:
Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love;
Take my feet, and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
Verse 3:
Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King;
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.
Filled with messages from Thee.
Verse 4:
Take my silver and my gold:
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect, and use
Ev’ry pow’r as Thou shalt choose.
Ev’ry pow’r as Thou shalt choose.
Verse 5:
Take my will, and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine;
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne.
It shall be Thy royal throne.
Verse 6:
Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store;
Take myself, and I will be,
Ever, only, all for Thee.
Ever, only, all for Thee.