DAY 165 Read 2 Kings 1 through 3
Today's reading: A variety of incidents includes the fiery ascension of Elijah and the beginning of Elisha's ministry.
Memory gem: "The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory" (Psalm 64:10).
Thought for today:
What a tremendous spectacle this must have been! Nothing could part Elisha from Elijah on their journey to the schools of the prophets; not even the turbulent Jordan could separate them. But now as they are walking and talking together, a luminous cloud descends upon them. A flaming chariot of fire, drawn by horses of fire, swirls down between them--the only thing that could separate them. Elisha looks heavenward and sees Elijah as he goes up "by a whirlwind into heaven." This was a triumphant and dramatic event for the Prophet of Fire.
God had used Elijah in a remarkable way. Before the time of his ministry, the children of God had strayed from the principles of righteousness that He had given them. A real reformation was needed, and God had thoroughly fitted Elijah for this work, The great problem of that day was idolatry.
It is easy for us to study the history of days gone by and to forget that the problem of idolatry is one that still confronts us. I have seen various kinds of paganism in various lands. I have seen idolatry in its rankest forms. But, friends, let me say this: Idolatry is found in every country, not merely in the non-Christian portions of the world. Whatever or whomever we love and serve more than the Creator God is an idol. This is worshiping the "creature more than the Creator" (Romans 1:25).
When facing the matter squarely, we must admit that there are many modern gods that need to be destroyed by fire as were the idols of Baal.
Let us abolish the idols in our hearts and worship the true and living God, our Creator, the God of the prophet Elijah.
NOTE: Jehoram, a second son of Ahab, succeeded Ahaziah as king of Israel. He is also called Joram (see 2 Kings 8:16) and elsewhere). Further complicating the identity problem is the fact that his contemporary in Judah, Jehoshaphat's son, is also named Jehoram (see tomorrow's reading).
Today's reading: A variety of incidents includes the fiery ascension of Elijah and the beginning of Elisha's ministry.
Memory gem: "The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory" (Psalm 64:10).
Thought for today:
What a tremendous spectacle this must have been! Nothing could part Elisha from Elijah on their journey to the schools of the prophets; not even the turbulent Jordan could separate them. But now as they are walking and talking together, a luminous cloud descends upon them. A flaming chariot of fire, drawn by horses of fire, swirls down between them--the only thing that could separate them. Elisha looks heavenward and sees Elijah as he goes up "by a whirlwind into heaven." This was a triumphant and dramatic event for the Prophet of Fire.
God had used Elijah in a remarkable way. Before the time of his ministry, the children of God had strayed from the principles of righteousness that He had given them. A real reformation was needed, and God had thoroughly fitted Elijah for this work, The great problem of that day was idolatry.
It is easy for us to study the history of days gone by and to forget that the problem of idolatry is one that still confronts us. I have seen various kinds of paganism in various lands. I have seen idolatry in its rankest forms. But, friends, let me say this: Idolatry is found in every country, not merely in the non-Christian portions of the world. Whatever or whomever we love and serve more than the Creator God is an idol. This is worshiping the "creature more than the Creator" (Romans 1:25).
When facing the matter squarely, we must admit that there are many modern gods that need to be destroyed by fire as were the idols of Baal.
Let us abolish the idols in our hearts and worship the true and living God, our Creator, the God of the prophet Elijah.
NOTE: Jehoram, a second son of Ahab, succeeded Ahaziah as king of Israel. He is also called Joram (see 2 Kings 8:16) and elsewhere). Further complicating the identity problem is the fact that his contemporary in Judah, Jehoshaphat's son, is also named Jehoram (see tomorrow's reading).
RSS Feed
