Text:
2 Kings 4:1-5; 2 Kings 13:16-19
Memory Verse:
“And he said to the king of Israel, ‘Strike the ground’; so he struck three times, and stopped. And the man of God was angry with him, and said, ‘You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck Syria till you had destroyed it! But now you will strike Syria only three times’”
(2 Kings 13:18b&19).
How important is it to think deeply about instructions or to follow instructions or to think deeply about them? Instructions are given in order to achieve a goal but sometimes the goal is not fully explained when the instructions are given. The executor must have faith and confidence in the one giving the instructions. Giving deep thought to instructions helps you not only execute them
effectively and efficiently, but reap maximum benefits therefrom. Joash, King of Israel was only told to strike the ground but not how many times. He however did not give much thought to the instruction in spite of what he had been told earlier in 2 Kings 13:16&17. If he had, perhaps he would have acted differently. Unfortunately, his victory over the Syrians was limited to his
compliance. The prophet’s widow was instructed to borrow empty vessels into which she was to pour the little oil she had. The level of her obedience and compliance determined the extent of her blessing at the end of the exercise because the oil ceased (2 Kings 4:7).
God is not frivolous and so when He speaks to His people He expects them to have faith in Him. How much thought do you give to the words you read in the Bible? Do you think deeply about them? Do you seek better understanding through the Holy Spirit and further study of the Bible? Sometimes you need another scripture to understand and interpret what you have read
(2 Timothy 2:15). The word of God cannot be broken. To walk with God successfully, give deep thought to His words.
Prayer Points:
1. Lord, help me to give more thought to Your word.
2. May I not miss my blessings through carelessness.
