“When Elisha was in his last illness, King Jehoash of Israel visited him and wept over him. “My father! My father! I see the chariots and charioteers of Israel!” he cried. 15 Elisha told him, “Get a bow and some arrows.” And the king did as he was told. 16 Elisha told him, “Put your hand on the bow,” and Elisha laid his own hands on the king’s hands. 17 Then he commanded, “Open that eastern window,” and he opened it. Then he said, “Shoot!” So he shot an arrow. Elisha proclaimed, “This is the Lord’s arrow, an arrow of victory over Aram, for you will completely conquer the Arameans at Aphek.” 18 Then he said, “Now pick up the other arrows and strike them against the ground.” So the king picked them up and struck the ground three times. 19 But the man of God was angry with him. “You should have struck the ground five or six times!” he exclaimed. “Then you would have beaten Aram until it was entirely destroyed. Now you will be victorious only three times.” 20 Then Elisha died and was buried.” 2 Kings 13:14-20 New Living Translation
God of the forever,
Elisha illness is terminal. We do not know what is wrong with him but that he stayed at home. That does not stop King Jehoash of Israel visiting him even though he has done evil in the sight of God. How frustrating that the King did not do what he should have even in the presence of the dying prophet. But You God were able to use Elisha, and he was willing right up to his last breath. And you gave the king an opportunity to hear from You even in his sinfulness.
There comes a time in every generation when we must mentor younger believers so they can support and take over our service. As older members cannot manage what they did previously. There is a time for change – but never retirement in the Kingdom of God. I wonder if we will be as generous with out time as Elisha was, even in our last days to pray and give a Word from You to someone. Will we have kept as close to You to hear? There are those who may visit when we have grown older who do not You. Will we still encourage them to turn to You and overcome the enemy once and for all in Jesus?
Elisha heard Your last call God, answered, served right up to the end. I pray I will be as faithful. And then I cannot boast because as You remind us through Jesus, in Luke’s gospel (17:10), “In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’”
Nut also You remind us that in the parable of the master and the servants that the master said well done to faithful servants when they did well (Matthew 25:21). Help us hear Your ‘well done’ and be able to keep doing whatever our duty may be as life’s circumstances change.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 5th July 2025
Six heavenly minutes reminding me to speak Jesus. Sometimes I forget or am embarrassed or don’t want to offend?
I just wanna speak the name of Jesus
Over every heart and every mind
‘Cause I know there is peace within Your presence
I speak Jesus
I just wanna speak the name of Jesus
‘Til every dark addiction starts to break
Declaring there is hope and there is freedom
I speak Jesus
‘Cause Your name is power
Your name is healing
Your name is life
Break every stronghold
Shine through the shadows
Burn like a fire
I just wanna speak the name of Jesus
Over fear and all anxiety
To every soul held captive by depression
I speak Jesus
Repeat . . . I just wanna
Chorus
Shout Jesus from the mountains
Jesus in the streets
Jesus in the darkness, over every enemy
Jesus for my family
I speak the holy name
Jesus,
Repeat . . .Shout Jesus
Chorus
Repeat
I just wanna speak the name of Jesus
Over every heart and every mind
‘Cause I know there is peace within Your presence
I speak Jesus
I speak Jesus
I speak Jesus . . .
Lyrics: Jesse Reeves, Dustin Smith, Abby Benton, Kristen Dutton, Carlene Prince, Raina Pratt