Key Scriptures: 2 Kings 4:8-37, John 14:21-23
In 2 Kings 4, Elisha’s servant Gehazi obeyed when Elisha told him to go to the Shunammite woman’s home and to lay his staff upon her son who was dead. I noted that Elisha told him to be focused and not be distracted on his journey, a detail which adds to the reader’s confidence that the servant’s mission would certainly result in the woman’s son rising from the dead. However it did not happen.
One might ask “Why is it that the man of God’s staff was unable to produce the intended miracle ?”
We realise later on in this account that when Elisha and the Shunammite woman arrived at her home after the servant had, Elisha performed the miracle of resurrection by praying, then laying on the woman’s son.
Again one might ask “what was the point in Elisha sending his servant ahead in the first place if God intended the miracle of resurrection to happen in a different way?”.
At times as Elisha’s servant we may know without reasonable doubt that The Lord has told us to do something and he has given us specific instructions on how to do it as Elisha did his servant. However having obeyed God, we do not see any change or godly fruit as expected.
The Lord wants to encourage us by reminding us that His ways and thoughts are higher than ours (Isa 55:8-9)
“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33 KJV)
There are several reasons why we may not experience or see the fruit or outcome we expect from obeying God, here are two:
1.What we do for the Lord is at times part of a chain of events and there is someone or other individuals who will fulfill their part in that chain at different times.
In the 2 Kings account, Elisha the prophet’s actions were the final stages to the boy’s resurrection.
We should be encouraged that what The Lord has asked us to do however fruitless or trivial it may appear to the natural eye or human understanding may be an important part of a process leading to a glorious outcome.
2.What The Lord told us to do may have achieved the outcome to the glory of God, however it was not evident as yet to the natural eye.
God could choose to open our spiritual eyes to it at a later date or not at all. For instance many intercessors have prayed about issues God has placed on their hearts and engaged in prophetic intercessory acts by the leading of The Lord but have not seen or heard evident changes to the glory of God as a direct result of their intercession.
Our part is to be as Elisha’s servant, undistracted and focused in our obedience to God and our pursuit of godliness, trusting him all the way.
We must rest assured that whatever we do for God through Christ Jesus is never in vain whether we see the outcome one day, never do or the end result is not as we expected it to be. We serve a sovereign God who is in absolute control.
“Who hath directed the Spirit of the LORD, or [being] his counsellor hath taught him?” (Isa. 40:13 KJV).
We who love God are reminded of the rewards of obedience:
“Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (John 14:23 KJV).
Abiding in God’s presence or glory by living in obedience to Him should be our priority above all else. It is the key to attaining all that He has for us and being fruitful for His sake every day of our lives.
You are blessed, determine to stay blessed!
Deborah Esther x
©Deborah E. Nyamekye 11/11/2015
Like this:
Like Loading...
Biblical Exhortations, Devotionals & Poetry 
You must be logged in to post a comment.