A Man’s Downfall

2 Kings 8:18, 27

He (Jehoram) walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for he married a daughter of Ahab. He did evil in the eyes of the LORD; He (Ahaziah) walked in the ways of the house of Ahab and did evil in the eyes of the LORD, as the house of Ahab had done, for he was related by marriage to Ahab's family.

Behind every great man is a woman.  We’d love to believe that. That as wives, our support and good character will add up to our husband’s respect at the city gates. But sadly, history is full of great men’s downfall because of women too. First on the list is Eve for Adam. We also have Bathsheba for David and Delilah for Samson. In politics, we have the Boleyn girl for Henry VIII, Monica Lewinsky for Clinton, and some Pinoys believe it was Imelda for Macoy. Woods was said to have dropped from 87 to 33 percent approval because of his infidelity scandal. But is it really because of women in general? Or more because men made the wrong choices, add to that, the wrong women?

In this second half of chapter eight, we have the father and son tandem of Jehoram and Ahaziah. They succeeded the godly but compromising Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, from the favored line of David. Their reigns were short: the older one eight years, the younger, one year. Both engaged in wars: Edom and Libnah against the father, Aram against the son. But here’s another common denominator that caused their downfalls: they were connected to the wrong woman, Athaliah. She was from Ahab’s family - the royalties known for their rampant idolatry. As a wife to Jehoram, she pulled him to commit the sins detestable to the Lord. As a mother to Ahaziah, 2 Chronicles 22:2 said, she ‘encouraged him in doing wrong’. They had a godless woman in the house, but still, they do have a choice and an inch hope to escape her snares.  But they did not. As a result, God struck them with a heavy blow, resulting to their horrible deaths.

With seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines, Solomon earned the right to warn men against godless women. In Ecclesiastes 7:28 he said ‘Though I have searched repeatedly, I have not found what I was looking for. Only one out of a thousand men is virtuous, but not one woman!’ The number was our clue he was talking about his wives. Then also in chapter 7, Proverbs this time, he wrote, ‘My sons, listen to me; pay attention to what I say. Don't let your hearts stray away toward her. Don't wander down her wayward path. For she has been the ruin of many; many men have been her victims.’ As the wisest man who ever lived, it will do us well to listen to God’s words through him. Wives, we're created to be God-fearing helpmates to our men. Mothers, let’s guide our boys in choosing that woman of noble character. And to our men, our dear men, a lot have already fallen from your ends because of those from our fence. Don’t let any woman have the dictate. Be not the Adam who kept silent while Eve conversed with the serpent. You do have a choice. Always.  May God bless you and keep you.

I See You

2 Kings 8:11

He stared at him with a fixed gaze until Hazael felt ashamed. Then the man of God began to weep.

Ever been gazed by someone? It brings about different initial feelings depending on who’s looking at you and the circumstances surrounding it. If it’s my sister talking about her boyfriend’s stare, that’s a blush moment. If it’s the kiddos seeing my serious look, they knew it’s high time to pick up their toys. If it’s from another woman scanning you from head to foot, it’s either she envies your dress or you did a mismatch. If it’s from a suspicious looking stranger, sure it’d hurry your feet to blend in with the crowd instead of being singled out. What is common though, is that being gazed upon makes one uncomfortable, paranoid, and insecure. And the feeling lingers ‘til the ‘why’ question has been satisfied.

When Hazael was sent to meet the prophet Elisha and inquire about the king’s fate in connection with his current illness, he was next met with a fixed gaze. That was an awkward first meeting for two men. If he readily noted that Elisha was in fact from their enemy country, that stare could have easily be taken as an insult, igniting a fight. Good thing his reputation went ahead of him as the one who healed Aram’s army commander from leprosy and the one who suggested feast and freedom to their once captured men. But still Hazael wondered why he was given such special notice. It probably went on for minutes because his uneasiness grew to shame. The same feeling when Adam and Eve realized they were naked. As if those eyes looked past his pretense and saw the sin in his heart. But what disturbed him most was when Elisha started weeping and prophesied he will be God’s punishment to Israel’s idolatry. He denied the possibility and kept the mode by denying the king of a full report. The next day, guess who showed up at the king’s bed, spreading a thick, soaked cloth to the face ’til the ill, old man suffocated to death? Hazael may have deceived himself, or thought he could bluff Elisha, but God was the one who gazed through his heart and found guilt, even before he acted upon it. God was the one who first wept for his sin, moreso for the sin of his beloved Israel. The same weeping Jesus did when he was nearing Jerusalem, knowing their sin would lead to the judgment siege that would soon encircle them. It was a heartbreaking gaze.

How would you like for God to fix His eyes on your heart? What will He see? Will He weep much seeing those sins, or more because you will hurt His beloved? ‘All may stumble and fall, but I never will!’ was the resounding words of Simon Peter.  But the world knew now he did it thrice. And so were the rest of the heroes of faith. From eternity past God already gazed upon their hearts, and ours, and saw sin. He knew it will lower our faces, make us uncomfortable and bring us much shame. And so He sent His Son and gave Him the cross. He took the public’s gaze and endured the pain of nakedness, in our stead. More importantly, He did it to spare us from God’s sure judgment because of our sin. It is only through Jesus will condemnation pass over us. If we humbly acknowledge His saving work, not only will we welcome His gaze to prune us, it also gives us the privilege to gaze back and see His beauty and grace. You’d love those eyes :>

Favors for Her

2 Kings 8:1

Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, ‘Go away with your family and stay for a while wherever you can, because the LORD has decreed a famine in the land that will last seven years.’

This coming Friday, my little girl will turn three. I’m feeling quite sentimental that her baby-ness will really be all behind her. I’d sure miss hearing her cute, mispronounced words and carrying her around.  She’s really a delight. I really praise God for not answering my prayers for two boys. His wisdom knew I’d need a daily dose of those kikay charms.  This weekend will be our turn to give back the cheer. As any good parent would, I plan to make it a very special day. And by day, I mean, all day. She’ll wake up to a balloon–filled room with her favorite pancake breakfast, then I’ll bring her to the mall for a good run in the park area. Lunch would sure be spaghetti, fries, and ice cream of course. Then we’ll let her roam around Toy Kingdom, find her a simple dollhouse, and end the day in one of those paid playhouses. It will be a full day of fun for her – favor after favor, as much as possible. It’d be my joy to see her wide-eyed in delight. And I’d do it because I love her.

If I know how to give good gifts to my children, how much more our heavenly Father! In this eighth chapter, we read again of His favor to the Shunammite woman. She was the well-to-do hostess of Elisha, providing him not just with meals but allotting him a room in her house. Her generous kindness was first rewarded with pregnancy, a miracle considering their age. It is notetaking she never asked for it. She was a content woman. It was her joy to give to God’s work. But she can’t outgive God. His second favor was seeing her son restored to life. That’s extraordinarily big. Far exceeding than our definition of grace. But again, God is better than our parenting gurus. For His third blowout, she was spared from seven years of famine. Her family was taken out even before scarcity was felt by everyone. Not while. Before! Then after seven years, when she returned to Israel, awaiting her was the fourth treat. Everything that belonged to her was given back, ordered by no less than the king, with all its income from the day she left the country ‘til her return.  

    

Who was this Shunammite woman to deserve so much grace? She was allotted two chapters in the Bible, four big miracles at least. We’d understand if the favors were given to the likes of Abraham, Moses, and David. They did great things for the kingdom. This woman doesn’t even have a name. All she did was provide a home for a prophet and be content with her life. We’d say, ‘Well, I can do that. How come I’m not big-time blessed?’ Maybe that’s the difference. Her eye was on the Giver, not the gift; serving the Master, not for the money. But is it really about the woman being generous or more about God being so gracious? Or are we just envious because God was good to her?  We can’t know much what really caused God to delight in her, but He did. It sure was not our standard of promotion and rewards. His thoughts and ways are higher than ours. The main point here is not what to do to have His blessings. Our take home here is to marvel at God’s wonderful grace. If that’s too simple for us, too uncomplicated, too basic, then no wonder we can’t appreciate His daily miracles. We’re all waiting for our wants, never really watching His hand.  Let’s stop looking around, comparing notes on who and why they got bigger favors. Instead look at the Cross and see how much love He already poured out for us - - the undeserving us. There’s no more case in point here. Grace is a done deal. You're saying there’s  an overflow? Now, isn’t that just amazing!

Not For Keeps

2 Kings 7:9a

Then they said to each other, ‘We’re not doing right. This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves.’

I was washing the dishes yesterday when suddenly Tris rushed out of the room and blurted ‘I can’t take it!’ He was referring to Yue Yue, the two and a half year old girl from China who was hit and run over by two vans while eighteen passersby never seem to mind. It was heartless and distressing. And so were the rest of the headlines last night: nineteen soldiers dead in Basilan encounter; two minors suffered gang rape in Bulacan; ex-president accused of electoral sabotage; add to that leptospirosis, flooding, and motorcycle accidents. And our breathers? Gay news, loveteams and an awards night. No, we don’t discredit their inclusion of charity works, safety info, taxi heroes and sports champs. But in totality, hearing news today will leave you anxious, doubtful and angry.  Shown several times a day, seven days a week, it can really make one weak :<

News in Samaria had the same depressing headlines back then: timeframe of the siege had reached the phrase ‘so long’; many already died in famine; parents cooking their babies; a lot resorted to eating the ceremonially-unclean donkeys, even the doves’ dung; all market is closed; and the king ordered the prophet Elisha’s beheading. When you’re hunger-stricken and all you see are horrifying scenes, hopelessness is next in line. Worse for the four lepers at the city gates. If the people were already eating waste, nothing’s left for them.  No wonder they took the risk of surrendering to enemy lines. They felt dead anyway. When they reached the Aramean camp, they found it empty with men but overflowing with supplies. They did what we all would: have a fill, plunder the goods and keep it safe. But after two rounds, these deprived and considered-outcasts felt it in their conscience to share the good news to the city. Fear of punishment was an admitted factor too. So they went and called out to the city gates for reporting. They were out of the picture since then. It was just a minute snapshot of a good thing, but it brought in hope and redemption to the city.

Everyday, we have the opportunity to answer the question: ‘What’s on your mind?’. We meet people asking us, texting us how we are. What’s our reply? Sadly, more often than always, our shared stories are more sorrowful than joyful. We complain about something, point a blame on someone, air a sigh or raise a brow. Was God absent yesterday? Was He not able to perform at least one good thing for us to be very happy about? Really, nothing praiseworthy? If it’s not the case, then why are we a people with no good news to share? Are we afraid that when we rejoice over God’s provision, many will knock at our doors? Or when we raise a cheer for our family’s success or got promoted at work, it will even cause envy and buzzing around? More importantly, how come we’re not vocal about Jesus? He paid for our sins and died in our stead. Isn’t being forgiven and free enough headliner? How about the great news that He rose from the grave as proof that eternal life is true? Isn’t hope the answer to all the bad news before us? We had our fill and we experience much grace, it’s not for keeps. One snapshot of hope could mean second wind to the weary and life for a suicidal.  Ready to post? Cameras rolling…

Mission Impossible

2 Kings 7:2

The officer on whose arm the king was leaning said to the man of God, ‘Look, even if the LORD should open the floodgates of the heavens, could this happen?’ ‘You will see it with your own eyes,’ answered Elisha, ‘but you will not eat any of it!’

Seeing a photo of Tom Cruise dangling from Dubai’s Burj Khalifa, I’m sure you’ll do what I just did: zoom in to see if it’s really him! For who would take it against him if he opted to have a double to stride over that glass structure of what’s now hailed as the world’s tallest building? Yes, it would be cool to know he did the stunts himself, but we’d rather want our actors safe, right? But not Cruise, especially not in portraying Ethan Hunt. After all, he’s to us the image of making impossible missions, possible. Can’t wait for the fourth installment this December :>

It is but responsible to cross-check whether a claim is true or not. But when we’re talking about the Word of God, even a planck length of hesitation falls under unbelief. Like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed, its instability readily negates God as solid Rock and its restlessness against the God of hope.  After what seemed to be a very long time of famine for the besieged Samaria, Elisha prophesied God’s deliverance the next day. For the famished, a loaf of bread will suffice. Give them seven and they’ll call it miracle. But when the king’s official heard that their famine will soon be over and the marketplace will be as usual, instead of joyful expectation, he hurled a sarcasm and called it impossible. Like the disciples doing their math when there’s just seven items on hand to feed some five thousand. Or like the Pharisees comparing forty six years of building the temple to Jesus’ claim to do it in three. ‘Impossible!’ was the official’s cry. Maybe he felt Elisha was giving them false hope or mocking their already depressed condition.  Or maybe he thought his knowledge was superior, and so he referred to his history archive of possibly Israel’s manna from heaven, but calculated that not even that miracle could stabilize their stocks in twenty four hours. But God’s promise never once failed, and so is His judgment to the faithless. About that time the next day, the official saw Aram’s camp plundered, provisions flooding in the city, but his trampled body faced death without even a taste of it. 

When God’s called Himself Provider, do we check the news for world’s economy or our husband’s paycheck then conclude we’ll have hard days ahead? When God’s calls us to love and forgiveness, do we look at our partner’s flaws and record of wrongs then mark him as the exception? When God moves the church to sharing Good News to our friends and neighbors, do we critic the approach, say it’s too  traditional and will never work at all? What more if He declared it done in twenty four hours at the most. Most of us would sure join in saying, ‘Impossible!’ Faith is seeing the invisible despite sight’s limitation. It is that peace that regardless of the news or what’s in our pockets, God will provide. It is that hope that although these people may seem unbearable and unlovable, God can soften their hearts, and read this: transform them anew! The power of the Gospel to change lives is not dependent on tricks or treats. It is the work of God alone. He gave us His Word as basis of our faith. We can zoom in anytime when the impossible knocks our door. Zoom out those doubts!

Passing the Buck

2 Kings 6:31

He said, “May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if the head of Elisha son of Shaphat remains on his shoulders today!”

In a bible study I attended years ago, the assigned leader posed this scenario: ‘You’re in a fine dining restaurant, on a special date. A waiter tripped beside you, spoiling your attire. What’s your thought balloon?’ My keen-eyed seatmate imagined a misplaced rug causing the fall. The manager-type questioned why was the rug there after all. ‘They should have double-checked everything before opening’. The HR-by-heart crazily thought waiters should have reflex training or something to avoid customer inconveniences. The fashionista felt for the dress and said it’s high time to invent stain-protect fabric or for every resto to purchase-provide easy-fix solutions. Picking up her line, another single blurted her date should make sure no glass would touch her skin, or that would be his last. (We had a good laugh with that). Finally, the leader asked, ‘Anyone thought of helping the waiter?’  

Just one verse down Israel’s goodwill to free Aram's army, with no provocation whatsoever, King Ben-Hadad mobilized his men, marched up and laid siege to Samaria. Because no trade was happening to and fro the city, the people were left with only their provisions at hand. Soon, all was gone and the horror of famine came next. Walking along the city walls, probably exhausting all his options, the king heard a woman’s desperate cry. As their protector and provider, she was hoping to get justice (and food!) from another woman who kept her child although agreeing hers was next after sharing in the flesh of her own. Exactly how God warned Israel of the curse of disobedience and not keeping their share of the covenant. But instead of seeing his sin and the people’s idolatry as the source of their sufferings, although in part hating Aram for this evil, he turned to the prophet whom he felt caused it all, and blamed the God who seemingly never cared at all. If Elisha just allowed him to kill their enemies when they were behind their lines. If only Elisha prayed and pleaded in behalf of the land. Where were his miracles now? Where was the God whom he bragged as Helper and Salvation? And so he ordered Elisha’s beheading and concluded, “This disaster is from the LORD. Why should I wait for the LORD any longer?”

How come we always point to external reasons for all the problems of the world? How dare we imply a deficit on God’s care and control when we can’t find a rope? It’s always our leader’s poor governance, our colleague’s mediocre performance, our friend’s insensitivity, our neighbor’s selfishness, the weather, the traffic, the generation before us, even our family’s genes - - everyone’s to blame. Everyone but us. We are the good guys. We alone care for mankind. We know what’s best to be done. Supposing that premise is right, so do it! Be one! But will we take responsibility? Will we be willing to educate and help mold everyone to exactly how we envisioned as ideal? Will we pick up our trash, wake up early, make sure our kids are grow better than us? Too much for one right? King Jehoram exclaimed truth amidst the siege: ‘If the LORD does not help you, where can I get help for you?’  He knew Help is from God alone. We knew it too. Why pass the buck around when we can let God win our cards? It may mean acknowledging we’re part of the failed system, but what is that compared to the salvation He is offering? You know you can’t eat pride right?

We Forgive, They Forget

2 Kings 6:23

So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel’s territory.

In our Couple’s Lifegroup last Monday, we had this discussion question: Are you prone to dreaming about the ‘perfect revenge encounter’?  Like pushing yourself to wealth and fame in order to shame all those who insulted and disregarded you. Or striving to be very beautiful so that your next encounter with you ex will resound a loud ‘It’s your loss!’ These are pale compared of course to those who will literally put a snare to destroy their offenders. But passively or aggressively, the Bible still have one word for that: grudge. And the antidote? The good in us will say: ‘Forgive and let it go’. But God says, ‘Forgive and let love.’

When the king of Aram sent his army to capture Elisha, God - being on Israel’s side - turned the situation around so that the pursuers helplessly found themselves prisoners. It was the perfect stage for revenge. And no one would blame them for it was Aram who initiated the fight, the king of Israel had one thing in mind and sought the prophet’s go signal ‘Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?’  From the abundance of his heart, his mouth speaketh - twice! It may be humanity’s law not to kill captives, but who cares about rules when you’re face to face with the offenders? But Elisha knew better how God treats an enemy – not by repaying evil for evil, but by overcoming evil with good. He called that food and drinks be served before them, and to set them free rightafter. A lost opportunity by world’s standard, but it gained them peace, at least meantime. For in just two verses down, forgiveness was forgotten, and Aram was back against them. I imagine the king’s ‘I told you so’. But as always, God’s love has this say: ‘Regardless’.

It takes selflessness to forgive one offense. At second blow, it calls for maturity. But on the third and fourth to seventh, we’re marked martyrs. Reach twenty and some will promote you as saint. But God’s standard is seventy - - times seven! That’s an implied four hundred ninety hurts. That’s forgiveness though with a full knowledge that they’ll be back at our doors in no time. That’s Jesus at the cross bearing all insults and injuries for us who will repeatedly disown and dishonor Him. And we won’t hear Him say, ‘It’s okay. I’ll forgive you. I’ll let that pass.’ Instead He will look past our sins, care for our needs, and lovingly say, ‘You’ll be okay. You’re forgiven. This too shall pass.’ If the Most High can selflessly do that for us, cancelling our debt of ten thousand bags of gold, how dare we not forgive a neighbor who owes us a hundred silver? Isn’t it more costly and consuming to plant revenge? Surely, they will forget. That’s not new. But to love and forgive. That’s what Jesus would do - to and through you.

Given Grace

2 Kings 6:10

So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places.

The FB wall flooded yesterday with the news of the death, and possibly rape, of a third year ComSci UPLB student. Many readily changed their profile pictures to black ribbon badges calling for justice and in sympathy to the family. It was heartbreaking to know she too was a pastor’s kid like me.  I cried over a video posted awhile ago with her singing Hillsong’s ‘Lord of Lords’ in church. ‘Oh Lord, why her? Why her family? They’re in Your service. They’ve been faithful.’ We all have questions.

And then this reading. Verse eight gives us the context that the king of Aram was setting camps and traps to harm Israel’s king. But eveytime he did so, Elisha already pre-warned the king so that he was on guard in such places. It enraged the Syrian so much that he shifted his orders to capturing the intelligence instead. Although that too will fail if you continue reading. Israel’s protection is God Himself. 24/7. Even if a strong army surrounds a city, His fiery chariots will outnumber them. At Elisha’s prayer, their enemies went blind and trapped helpless inside the gates. God can do this for His people. Even if they strayed away and worshipped lifeless idols. Amazing is His given grace.

And so we ask, if God can protect the faithless, shouldn’t the faithful deserve more? Read again and refer to what grace means and we’ll have a glimpse of His answer. Oftentimes our image of being in His service is having the faith that can win against wars, injustice, lions, flames, or death. But the heroes in Hebrews 11 were also found tortured, flogged, stoned, sawed in two and put to death. They were mistreated, persecuted, and many lived in destitute. Unfair? Refer this time to what faith means. God’s  people live life and face death forward looking. Here and now is not where we can find better lives.  There is no safety here. But like that young lady, we can be saved from here. A place where no moth and rust can destroy. A place where tears are no more. Where death or sorrow or crying or pain are gone forever. I’m sure you still feel she doesn’t deserve what happened to her. God understands. Here’s His statement in verse 38: ‘The world was not worthy of her’.

Free Man

2 Kings 5:11

But Naaman went away angry and said, ‘I thought that he would surely come out to me and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, wave his hand over the spot and cure me of my leprosy.’

Years ago, when you’re asked to fill up a form, you only have three checkboxes for civil status: single, married, widowed. No divorce, no open relationships, and no option for ‘it’s complicated’. Freedom, by our definition, has taught us that we can personalize our lives as we see fit. We break rules, revise it, rename it, reinvent it - - just so it could feed our individualities, self-expression and independence. We rhyme along Henley’s Invictus: ‘I am the master of my fate; I am the captain of my soul’. And it’s not pointing to those handcrafted wedding concepts, customized gears, or specified meal orders. It’s a lot about providing exception to rules and reasons to be excused. We’re beginning to rebuild Babel instead of upholding the Bible. Our thumbmarks against God’s blueprint. Our will against His.

Naaman was a man of stature and he knew it. As commander of Aram’s army and the king’s favorite hero, he grew accustomed to welcome parties and silver platters. His words had power and all resource under his feet. Until leprosy hit him. Surely, every doctor in his country came to attend him. But finding no answers, his desperation yielded to his slave girl’s suggestion: see Elisha. Bringing along the king’s pass, golds for payment, and an entourage, he had very high hopes to this journey. But contrary to his title and  expectations, no prophet came to him at the door. Instead, a lowly servant met him with Elisha's message: wash seven times in Jordan river. ‘That’s it?!! No rituals, no wonders from heaven, and he won't see me at least? Me? Am I not an honorable official? And what’s that dipping in Jordan? Sure I deserve something more complicated and original!’ He hated the simplicity of the cure and if not for the prompting of his faithful servants, he would have never taken the plunge.

When pride creeps in, foolishness is next. When we see His will fall short from our self-sketched plans, we rally behind ours. Or when His answers are not what we expect, resembling a brat, we cry in protest. Like Naaman, we put on a disguise, seemingly seeking His help, when actually we wanted Him to serve ours.  Our idea of a cool god is one who is on call whenever we knock and do wonders whenever we need. We want Him to accept us for who we are and see beyond our faults.  By that, we mean, to just let it go and let us be. That’s our life’s plan. All of us. We want a god who will make a way for everyone to win the grand lotto, and have the best partner, and be the next U.S. President. How does that sound? Isn’t it better to give rules to a child than spoil his every want? Guess who will be more independent and mature years after?  Being guided by His principles doesn’t mean our actions are limited. Freedom from sin actually allows us to enjoy life more. How do love, peace and hope sound to you? Yes, a free man!

Pious Pride

2 Kings 5:20

Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said to himself, ‘My master was too easy on Naaman, this Aramean, by not accepting from him what he brought. As surely as the LORD lives, I will run after him and get something from him.’

We sure have heard of religious leaders involved in immoral and corrupt practices. Who would blame church authorities if they’d rather not speak of such misrepresentations? These are but a handful compared to hundreds of pure dough. But in justice and for protection, the public would not buy it. They’d rather be cautious and suspecting and faithless. For how could they trust a system whose proponents are first to dishonor it? How is it even possible that those speaking the very words of God’s righteousness, those seemingly nearest Him, are first to fail Him?   
Let’s name one. Gehazi. A mere servant who saw all of God’s wonders by virtue of being near his earthly master, Elisha. To date, he saw a boy come back to life and possibly, the bread multiplication. Note that he wasn’t just a frontseater, he was onstage holding the staff and the loaves. He was doing the same menial training Elisha had for Elijah. Maybe, he felt way above the rest of the prophets. ‘An apprentice. I’m the next Elisha’. Pride crept in and filled his thoughts. After the healing of Naaman, he ran after the two talents of silver which his master earlier refused. He coveted those treasures, lied to a convert, and misrepresented Elisha’s office. He was so near God yet was not all for Him. So like Judas who was three years with Jesus but kissed him goodbye for silvers too.

Inside the Bible school, and graduating from there, I once and a lot felt way ahead of ‘ordinary’ laymen. Being armed with theories and theological terms, I thought I was a gift to the church. BUT NO! To my fellow grads, OH NO, WE’RE NOT! Knowing Christianity doesn’t mean living Christianity. For who by reading water books or living beach side or befriending a fish can guarantee a good swim? It has to be a personal, daily experience. By our mouth, we confess that He is Lord, and by our lives, we confirm it is true. Any discrepancy will put a question to our first commitment, meaning, if we are a genuine believers. And because we were branded as ones, by implication, it dishonors the Name we represent. And that God will not allow. To Gehazi, it was leprosy down his line. To me, a lot of humbling, debasing moments. Let’s not miss God’s wonders by being accustomed to it. Let’s not exploit our call by seeing it well-earned or deserved. We are all under grace and all under one rule. No VIP seats. Badges not honored.

Little is Much

2 Kings 4:43

‘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.'

Being a pastor’s kid, I got accustomed to a life where finances mean we're at the receiving side. From food to clothing to tuition fees, even birthday parties, God has been faithful in providing these things through His sent-people. His timing never once failed, and amazingly, always the exact amount we need. And by exact, I felt it's an implied 'No Extra'. That how I learned to be creative in giving price-less gifts. Or to do service instead of monetary helps. For even if I save, I thought it’s still not much compared to what they need or deserve, or what others are giving. Well, I thought wrong.

In that time of famine, it was unexpected to find a man giving twenty loaves of bread to Elisha. The added phrase ‘from his first ripe of rain’, meant it was his tithe to the Lord. The firstfruit of his produce. He had the option to store it for himself, for who but God knows the famine’s timeframe, or he could have gained much from selling those at a high price. Sure the enemy tempted him with such, but he feared God above all. At Elisha’s hands, he too had the excuse of keeping it to himself. The gift tag bears his name, plus, it couldn’t feed a hundred mouths anyway. Or, he could wait hoping that another man would come bringing eighty more loaves. But being in God’s business, he knew better than hide His blessings underground.  For God’s glory and just like Jesus, he instructed to share it with everyone and even had some left over.

The widow’s mite, the Macedonians, and today’s reading teaches us one thing: we can give even in the midst of poverty and famine. Poor economy or low salary is no excuse for God’s call to be cheerful givers. God has been faithful in providing us our needs. Even that need to give. It should be part of our budget. We don’t expect a king’s pleasure in receiving spares, right? Sure pride will tell us it isn’t much. For how could our little donation help a province in flood? It wouldn’t even suffice a single family’s need for days.  But we’re not to solve the world’s problems. All He wants is for us to share in His kind and selfless nature. To experience His joy and to feel His love for these people. Let’s leave the multiplication issues at His table. Believe that little is much when He is in it!

Not Apple nor Gourd

2 Kings 4:40

The stew was poured out for the men, but as they began to eat it, they cried out, "O man of God, there is death in the pot!" And they could not eat it.

iShock to iSad. Steve Jobs, the creative genius behind my kids well-loved iPad and Pixar died yesterday.  It felt like he’s a family member. Unbelievable how he bridged the gap between my parents tech-scare and their apos fearless curiosity by providing them touchscreen Apps to bond with. Such a sight! I’m sure you too have priceless memories to share. Makes us wonder if anyone could ever fill his shoes and bring us a step higher. But Jobs said it himself, ‘Death is life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new.’ He knew then his time will soon be up, and right now the new is us. He hoped we will have the courage to follow our heart and intuition, and to live each day as if it was our last.

Elisha had big shoes to fill too. His mentor called fire from heaven and was a big hit in the land. The company of prophets may have doubted his ability. But he did not His God’s. All the way back from Jordan to Bethel and now Gilgal, the same road he and Elijah took before the latter’s rapture, God poured His miracles through him. In today’s reading, we find him in the company of prophets, possibly echoing all that Elijah taught him. Quite expected for prophets, except it was done during famine. They continued in faithfulness even in hard times. But he was mindful of their physical state and so he asked someone to cook some stew for these men. Another went out and found wild vines which in his heart and intuition could add up well to their meal. Without inquiry whatsoever, he tossed it to the pot and served the poisoned cups.  His sincerity did not help at all. If not for God’s presence in Elisha, that day could have been their last.

When we read of successful people like Jobs, we usually take their statements in a sweep and use it as formula words to live by. In his commencement speech in Standford, he said: ‘You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.’  But the Bible is clear that we have to trust Someone, not some things. God will never let us down, and the difference He can make even extends to the afterlife. Faith alone cannot save. It has always been faith IN GOD. Sure, let’s pay high respect to great men for their excellence. But just be careful we don’t make them our standard for practice. We don’t just pick a gourd and cook it.  Or take an apple in the middle of the garden. Both might look appealing, but don't be deceived. There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. Take heed.

Action Words

2 Kings 4:2a, 14

Elisha replied to her, "How can I help you?”; ”What can be done for her?”

In our Couple’s bible study last Monday, we started a new series called Life Apps. It was authored by Jeff Henderson and Charles Stanley’s son, Andy. All six-sessions center around the idea that the truths we find in the Scriptures are to be applied.  That it’s not enough to read and know His words (or memorize, exegete, or blog about it!). Not even our feelings of guilt or joyous singing or our being overly motivated can bring about change. Obedience to God is not a noun, nor an adjective, it has always been a verb.

When the widow of one of the prophets in Israel came to Elisha for help, we did not find him just offering a listening ear or a tap in the back, like we usually do in wakes. It’s a good thing though. But not enough when she had creditors at the door seeking her two boys to serve as slaves. Fast forward to verse 10, and we read of a well-to-do Shunammite woman providing Elisha with a room so that he could have a place whenever he’s in town. We know a thank you would suffice, but he thought there’s more to be done. Two women, one in grief, the other, generous. Shall a prophet see his ministry only for those in need? Or be a blessing only to those treating them kindly? Moreover, Elisha knew better than leave them with words of promises or refreshed spirits. He took time to hear their lives to know their deepest needs. It is God-ordained that He alone can fill those voids. To the widow, a means of livelihood, and to the wife, a life on her womb.  Elisha did not leave their homes without God changing their lives.

God orchestrated that this is my devotion today and last Monday’s topic was all about application. A very good friend mirrored those two women mentioned above. She has been a generous supporter years back and now she’s in her pits with all their belongings washed away by the recent flood. I did encourage her with  text messages and kept myself updated of their howabouts. But that was the LEAST that I could do. Obviously not the MOST. So while I’m mentally listing how I could best extend God’s help to them, I hope you too would prayerfully consider how God wants you to be His blessing to another. Everybody has a need you know. Now GO!

World of Goo

2 Kings 3:17, 18

For this is what the LORD says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink. This is an easy thing in the eyes of the LORD; he will also hand Moab over to you.

I am no physics person. I don’t think I can even define or describe what it is actually. But when Tris bought the World of Goo App, I easily got hooked and embraced physics as my new best bud, hahaha. The puzzle’s objective is to get a number of goo balls, create a structure, and move them towards the pipe exit. Easy concept except that the goos are restless and each level just keeps reinventing itself.  There’s always a surprise twist with a million and one possibilities. No wonder it was hailed as MetaCritic’s iPad Game of the Year. And to think it took off Tris’ gaze from Wings of Prey, this really is something :>

But unlike those goos, there is One who does more than reinvent a wondrous thing. He is not limited to using cues from one previous level and have add ons for the next. Being the sole Creator, He alone can make something out of nothing.  In this page of history, we read of God doing another impossible thing, again defying all science, logic and time. Trapped in the desert of Edom with no water, three armies were marching closer to death than their supposedly attack to Moab. In humble desperation, they sought the help of Elisha and submitted to the Lord’s instruction. The next day, waters came flowing and filled the valley from God-knows-where. They neither saw wind to collect vapor or rain to do its pouring work. Amazing? God called it easy! Overwhelming? Nah, He’s not done yet. The same water He used to keep them alive (and their animals too!), brought death to their common enemy. God caused Moab to think the water’s reflection was blood from the kings’ quarrel and so they decided to rush desertward for some great spoil. All that’s left for Israel to do was wait for their coming and prepare for the win.

We’re all goos trying to outsmart life with eyes on that exit pipe. We exhaust all known skills and master each level in the hope that it will make the next one a lot easier. We wish! But the game of life is not played by becoming better. It is won by trusting in the One who knows better. There’s no obstacle that surprises Him, nothing to make Him say ‘Woew, that’s hard’. His strategies are out-of-the box, not even from the help menu. Watch Him take your game and it will wow you to cheer. Believe that although there’s no wind or rain to mark that help is coming, it is coming! It’s an easy thing for Him to quench your thirst. And when He does, expect an overflow. But when He does, He expects your overflowing praise!   

Unseen Guest

2 Kings 3:11b

But Jehoshaphat asked, "Is there no prophet of the LORD here, that we may inquire of the LORD through him?" An officer of the king of Israel answered, "Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He used to pour water on the hands of Elijah."

Discovery Health had this article entitled ‘Can a person remember being born?’ Nah, I won’t even try to translate their medical-slash-scientific explanations here -  the terms are way too big for me. The best I picked up was the relationship of verbal development to our memory. That if we don’t have the words to describe the event when it happened, most likely, we couldn’t describe it later even with the available vocabulary. That makes sense. No wonder one of my earliest memories was that plaque in our family wall that reads ‘Christ is the Head of this House, the Unseen Guest at every Meal, the Silent Listener to every Conversation ’. I even remember mispronouncing that last word as ‘conver-cha-tion’. It probably was my first memorized rhyme ever. But most of all, I know, back then, that helped me imagine God being near us all the time. God was so right in instructing His people to write His words on the doorframes :>

When King Joram went out to pursue Moab, God was not just the unseen Guest, He was uninvited actually. There was no mention that His will was consulted or if His help was needed. Not even when King Jehoshaphat, a supposedly believer, joined in.  These two kings planned what they thought best and that’s it. Their scheme was to take the long route through the desert so as to fetch another ally, the King of Edom. From there, they’ll  march towards south of Moab for the surprise element. That made sense – except for the words desert and seven days walk.  Nursing mothers will never miss that detail :> But nobody’s perfect. Nobody but One. Seeing eternity in a flash, God knew their waters will dry up, that they’ll be distressed and soon be dead! And so from behind the scenes, He told Elisha to pack and go with the army as an unseen, uninvited guest.  Even before their jugs were empty, God had already filled the gap. Even though they called Him not, His care followed them nonetheless.  His prophet was there as proof that He’s an ever-present Help in time of need.  

God’s timing is perfect. On the dot, no second-delay. Not even prayerlessness will keep His grace from coming alongside us. His Help has long been sent, as early as eternity past, for our receiving. He’s always been in our camp for as long as we can remember. His tools are complete for our anytime, out-of-the blue contingency needs. Even if we consider Him our last resort, or we want Him kept hidden. If God made waters to flow and fill a desert valley for the ungodly Joram and the compromising Jehoshaphat, imagine what they’d see if He was their Invited Guest!  I wish I have more time to poetically rephrase that family frame and share it here. I just feel it presents Jesus passively using those words ‘unseen’ and ‘silent’. In a sense He is. But as part of our lives, He is not. He is a relational God. We can actually see Him at work in and through us. And He is never silent, for His Words are written and revealed. Well I guess let's just choose a real bible verse as wall post next time :>