Elisha Archives – CadreMen Press Devotionals

Some Dreams Tell The Story

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“Some Dreams Tell The Story” by Kirk Hunt

And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life.

2 Kings 8:5 KJV

The Shunammite woman and her household returned from Philistia. Unfortunately, she found her property occupied by squatters (or worse). Ironically, she now needed to speak to the King (see 2 Kings 4:13).

In between cases, King Jehoram (aka Joram) commanded Gehazi to relate the record of Elisha’s ministries and miracles. Elisha’s resurrection of the dead became a featured story. In the middle of the account, the Shunammite walked in.

Despite the fact that he was now a teenager, the boy remained a miracle. Twice, God had directly intervened in his life (and his mother’s). First, through the prophesy of his birth. Again, at his resurrection. With her hands on her hips, the Shunammite told the story of how God made her dreams come true.

Some dreams tell the story of God’s power, and more importantly, His love. It may be that you have lived your life just to tell God’s story. Put your hands on your hips and tell the story of how God brought your dreams to life.

Think: God gives life to our dreams. Sometimes, so we can tell His story.

Pray: “Father-God, help me to tell Your story with my life and times.”

Some Dreams Get New Life

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“Some Dreams Get New Life” by Kirk Hunt

When she reached the man of God at the mountain, she took hold of his feet. Gehazi came over to push her away, but the man of God said, “Leave her alone! She is in bitter distress, but the LORD has hidden it from me and has not told me why.” “Did I ask you for a son, my lord?” she said. “Didn’t I tell you, ‘Don’t raise my hopes’?”

2 Kings 4:27-28 NIV

At daybreak, the Shunammite woman watched her little boy run and play. At noon, her dream lay cold and stiffening in an upstairs bedroom. The bitter reality of her situation called for action.

Common wisdom would call for a mortician. Instead, she sent for a driver. She put on her traveling clothes and her “game face.” She had work to do.

The facts and data said, “The dream is over.” Faith and hope said, “It shall be well.” To the driver, she said, “Go hard and fast.”

Sometimes, in the rough and tumble of life, a dream dies. Bitter distress is the normal reaction to such an event. As God’s people, we can respond with faith and hope. If God can bring a dream to life, He can give it new life.

At evening, the Shunammite’s little boy once again ran and played. Her faith had brought new life to her dream. What will your faith bring (back) to life?

Think: God gives life to our dreams. Sometimes, twice.

Pray: “Father-God, life and power are in, and with, You.”

Some Dreams Do Not Die

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“Some Dreams Do Not Die” by Kirk Hunt

And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid.

2 Kings 4:16 KJV

Her hands came off her hips and covered her mouth. Her dry, squinting eyes were suddenly wide and full of tears. Elisha’s prophecy released the hidden dream of her heart. The dream lurched from its dark cell into the bright sun of her life.

The tough, self-assured woman of verse 13 suddenly gave way to the tender, vulnerable girl of verse 16. Our dreams have power. Even our hidden dreams. Especially the dreams that should have died.

There you are, building the Kingdom. You have not asked, or expected, a reward for your faithfulness. God will select an unlikely place and space to fulfill your dreams.

God delights in bringing dreams to life. Probably the dreams you had forgotten. Especially the dreams you thought were long since dead.

Your season is coming. A season when you will hold something precious. A season you did not think possible.

Some dreams do not die. Some dreams linger, waiting for God’s power and the right season. Some dreams you did not ask for, but God gave you anyway.

Think: Nothing is impossible for God.

Pray: “Father-God, no dream is impossible with You.”

Look To The Source

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“Look To The Source” by Kirk Hunt

Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof.

2 Kings 13:14 KJV

It appears that the tears of King Joash (aka Jehoash) were at least partially sincere. Certainly he recognized Elisha’s long and miracle-laden ministry. Clearly, he understood what a benefit the prophet had been to the nation.

The king’s tears also testified to the looming Syrian horde. The only man in the nation who seemed to hold them back lay on his deathbed. A sorrowful situation, to be sure.

Still, Joash missed the point. He should have looked past Elisha to Jehovah-Jireh, Elisha’s source. Instead of tears of sorrow over a precious saint, the king should have shed tears of repentance for himself and his idolatrous kingdom.

Scripture (v. 11) records that Joash made no attempt to stop the idol worship of Judah. He inherited a back-slid nation. Joash did nothing to change the situation, despite all of his tears.

God’s faithful servants are a treasure. We should be sad when He chooses to move them or take them home. Still, we should always look past even the best of God’s people to God Himself. Our tears should lead us to act in drawing closer to God.

Think : Look to God and His power.

Pray: “Lord, help me to focus on You and You alone.”

Joash’s Arrow

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“Joash’s Arrow” by Kirk Hunt

And he said to the king of Israel, Put thine hand upon the bow. And he put his hand upon it: and Elisha put his hands upon the king’s hands. And he said, Open the window eastward. 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 thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed them.

2 Kings 13:17 KJV

Symbols carry power. They communicate in vivid images and clear simplicity the most difficult of ideas. They help us to have or hold faith. Shooting an arrow out of a preacher’s window? Pure symbolism.

Joash (aka Jehoash) faced a powerful foreign power, with a weak, depleted military in Judah. Elisha, aged and sick, struggled to encourage the king to have faith in God’s power. The king didn’t completely grasp the things of God, but he understood war bows.

In order to teach someone to shoot a bow and arrow, it is inevitable that the teacher will put hands on the student’s hands, not the bow. Joash understood the significance of Elisha’s hands on his. The king’s arrow represented new and fresh empowerment from God against the Syrian army.

Joash’s arrow represents the symbols that God has (already) set in your life. Symbols strengthen your faith. Symbols point you, in vivid images and clear simplicity, to the deep things of God.

Think : Symbols point to God and His power.

Pray: “Lord, help me to have faith in You.”

Protected: Open Our Eyes

God Provides

“God Provides” by Kirk Hunt

Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.

2 Kings 4:7 KJV

The widow’s sons likely moved with exaggerated caution. The borrowed vessels and pots brimmed full of valuable oil. Breaking something would create a double loss.

God’s provision is always extraordinary. God often gives more than enough. Ask the widow.

She probably ran to pay the debt that threatened her sons. Likely, for the first time since her husband’s funeral, she could spend a coin without an agonizing decision. Because God provided.

God provided the single jar of oil she poured out. God touched the hearts of friends and neighbors who lent their vessels and pots. God gave the miracle increase of oil that provided for this faithful family.

God provided in their past, then the present and again for the future. She had never been uncared for at any time. Even when she didn’t know it or feel it.

No matter what’s going on in your life, God is there. He provided to get you here. He is providing to keep you here. God is placing in your hand what you need for the future.

God wouldn’t have brought you to this place to leave you now. His faithfulness is working for you at this moment. Get you and yours ready to live in His provision.

Think: God has provided, is providing and will provide for you.

Pray: “Lord, thank You for Your provision in my life; past present and future.”

Sometimes, You Borrow

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“Sometimes, You Borrow” by Kirk Hunt

Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full.

2 Kings 4:3-4 KJV

Elisha’s instructions violate common sense and the laws of physics. The one pot of oil, the only item of significance in the widow’s house, will fill empty vessels. Borrowed vessels at that.

Elisha is careful to tell her to borrow a large number of empty pots. God’s provision is endless. There really isn’t capacity to contain what God can give.

At each door, an urgent knock sounds out. “Can we borrow all of your empty oil vessels?” The unused capacity of the neighborhood, if not village, is collected as an act of faith.

The empty is about to become full. Where there is lack, there will be supply. More than the widow’s house could hold. More than the town can contain.

Sometimes, you borrow. And no matter how much storage, or expertise, or capacity, or capability you get in your hands, God will over-run what you have prepared. You won’t hold all that God will provide, but you want your share.

It’s an act of faith to prepare so outlandishly. Keep in mind, God delights in providing for His people. I’d borrow from one more neighbor if I were you.

Think: God always provides, more than we can hold.

Pray: “Lord, I accept Your provision.”

What Is In The House?

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“What Is In The House?” by Kirk Hunt

Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the LORD: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen. And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.

2 Kings 4:1-2 KJV

Allow me to call this widow, unnamed in Scripture, “Beulah.” She came seeking miracle provision. She took proactive steps to resolve the debt that threatened her family.

Beulah didn’t expect Elisha to mystically learn of her situation. She didn’t expect God to send both revelation and resources from out of the blue. Violating the custom and mores of her time, she approached the prophet of God directly.

Despite her debts, she hadn’t come empty handed. God is a provider. He also sometimes multiplies His previous provision.

Elisha’s questions pointed past the obvious need to the miraculous solution. A solution that started in something Beulah already owned. Commonplace and mundane, a pot of oil would become a miracle of provision and supply.

No matter what you think you lack, God has already provided. Be open to to what God wants to do with what you already have. God provides; past, present and future.

Think: There is already provision and supply in your house.

Pray: “Lord, open my eyes to Your provision.”

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