2 Kings 6:16-17 - Elisha commented on the predicament he was in --- being chased down by evil. They wanted his head, but he says: "Don't worry about it—there are more on our side than on their side. Then Elisha prayed, 'O God, open his eyes and let him see.' The eyes of the young man were opened and he saw. A wonder! The whole mountainside full of horses and chariots of fire surrounding Elisha!"
The quote from Alexander Solzhenitsyn when he returned back to Russia after his forced exile was so "telling." He met, upon his return, with former leaders under the evil Communist regime. "He told his critics that the line between good and evil does not run between us and them; it runs through each one of us. He recognized that the most saintliest among My people has more in common with Stalin than my Son." Our righteousness is but filthy rags. This book helps us "understand the lethal nature of the evil that is in My people...may we tremble before its power to ruin our lives." 66 LL. So much of the Christian world I have been a part of has focused on the good in our lives, and of course it is there---we have all of Him! It is rare to hear from preachers and prophets today about the evil within our hearts, and it is there! We are all capable of evil---but for the grace of God, there go I.
We are dependent on God to come through for us and rescue us from the evil, the battle within our souls. Apart from Me, you can do nothing! You know, I can quickly see evil in people boiling their children and eating them. But, I'm not as quick to see the evil in my own soul when I use people or de-personalize friends, or when I secretly demand that people respond a certain way or even at all, or when I fail to see how I just get nicer and sweeter when people hurt me, harboring bitterness. Repentance isn't controlling my behavior but it's surrendering it to the One and Only One Who has taken care of the evil in my soul. It's paid for!
God, would you open our eyes this day to see Wonder! The wonder of what you have done for each one of us! Sheer Wonder! We all must face the evil within not just without ... and repent. But open our eyes to see the good you are doing like you did in II Kings 8: for the woman whose son died. You brought her back from 7 years of exile---where you provided her needs---and she walked into the king's presence at the exact moment when the king was learning about her story of her son being healed. You provided again! Thank you that our sin is as far as the east is from the west. Life isn't about being sweeter but about being holy!
I read this account of Elisha in another book I am studying right now...Live a Praying Life..which is a great, great book. Anyway...the thought came to me as I re=read this thought this morning that there are times when I have had a small glimpse of how wicked my heart is and it's so astounding that I draw back in fear and repulsion for it's not a pretty sight at all. IF we truly knew how wicked we were and how His precious blood covers that and makes us white as snow, we would be so much more grateful than we are. Beautiful words today...beautiful post. I have truly seen Him doing a beautiful work in your life these past two years. you are a blessing.
ReplyDeleteI am off to Atlanta today for the So Long Insecurity event. Keep me in your prayers, please.
ReplyDeleteBev, this thought you've shared with us is like a shoe that fits a little too tightly.
I'm wearing it today and I'm expecting God to change me as I allow Him access to that part of me that agrees with what you've spoken.
Thank you for sharing with us. I want to be changed. I want to be made more like Him.
He is my One and Only...
May God bless all of you this day and speak to you of His mercy.
I am so disgusted by the evil in my own heart. When faced with truth, I see such a mess, such a failure. I am overcome with the things I've done and truthfully, embarrassed, particularly in light of the fact I've been walking with Him so long, yet have so little evidence. I desperately need our Savior, not just for the one glorious redeeming work of my salvation, but for the everyday refinement of being remade in His Image. Thankful and yet frustrated, I am very convicted. Love your way of putting it, Deborah--a shoe that fits a little too tightly. Bev, such a beautiful post-you are a beautiful lone voice crying in the wilderness, repent, return. You wear Him so completely--the whole entity of Who He is.
ReplyDeletePraying for you, Deborah, for a magnificent work this weekend for your refreshment and restoration in Him. Safe travels. Love, Annette
ReplyDelete"...surrendering...to the One and Only One who has taken care of the evil in my soul." The whole post and comments spoke volumes to me today.
ReplyDeleteI'm re-reading a book by Rose Marie Miller: From Fear to Freedom, Living as Sons and Daughters of God. This quote by her husband stood out: "Rose Marie, you like your life to be like a canal that goes straight to the sea. You like to know where you started from and where the end is. But life isn't that way. We are out on the river with all its beautiful vistas, but the river keeps changing its course. There are hidden snags, rapids, unexpected turns, and storms, and sometimes the boat seems ready to overturn. But remember that you are not alone in the boat."
Why is it so hard for me to trust God? Why do I want to order my steps, instead of letting Him? All the 'self' sins have really reared their ugly head these last two months. Isn't there a 'nicer' term for evil? I really needed to have sin described that way today...EVIL. I think I've heard the word 'sin' so much it has lost its impact. Mary Lou is right...the repulsion of it is not a pretty sight.
I am so thankful for Grace that is greater than my sin! I do not want to take sin lightly!
FG
"He said, "Don't worry about it—there are more on our side than on their side." Then Elisha prayed, "O God, open his eyes and let him see."
ReplyDeleteI pray that in each of our lives the Unseen Guard will be surrounding us.
For Bev, I pray for warriors surrounding you...warriors so much bigger than cancer or pain. Warriors from the Unseen, battling for us to have victory. Bev, you belong to The Ancient of Days.
For all of us, I pray for chariorts of fire and angels with drawn swords...mighty angels of the Lord, surrounding us and battling our enemies in the unseen world. Let us all hold fast to what we have been given. May we feel and see with our own eyes the spiritual guard over our lives. Fight for the Army of God. Stand firm and don't lose faith. Hold tightly to Truth. Walk with tje authority He has given to us. Have courage and strength to fight the Good Fight.
Elisha. A Holy Man of great faith. Let us all serve God with His passion.