A New Start?

The Arrow of the LORD's Deliverance!
Remember those Kings of Israel? They always wanted Yahweh to protect and bless them, but they just loved living for Baal and gave those Golden Calves too much RESPECT.

In 2 Kings 13 Joash hears that Elisha is dying. Oh no! Remember that through this prophet, Israel has a sense of Yahweh's blessing and protection, and now he is leaving them to themselves, a people who believe in Yahweh, but love the Baal "experience" and golden calf corruption.

Naturally speaking every believing christian isn't much different from these Kings of Israel. Paul wrote, "All seek their own things, not the things of Christ Jesus"

"Joash did evil in the sight of the LORD" it says, but he at least had the sense to go and see Elisha while he had the chance.

How many of us are there who are seeking God for more reality of Christ in our lives? We are gettin fed up with the "Syrian Raiders" coming and going as they please. We are supposed to be bringing in the Kingdom of God, changing the world, filled with the Holy Spirit, but instead we feel powerless, faithless and useless.

"Oh my father, the chariots of Israel and their horsemen!" is his cry. Joash did evil in God's sight, but at least he had a cry in his heart, what about us?

Now to the most amazing part of the story: did Elisha say that God wouldn't help him cos of all his flabby faults?

NO! "Open the east window, get a bow and some arrows and shoot"

The arrow of the LORD's deliverance is always an arrow of GRACE. We are saved by his grace, He works in our lives when he SHOULD forsake us and leave us to suffer the consequencies of our neglect.


You know friends, the Lord is starting to move by His Spirit among us. We are sensing the Arrow of His Salvation, a Holy Spirit LAUNCH, but here is the CRUNCH.

Elisha tells Joash to strike the ground with the remaining arrows. He strikes only three times instead of five or six. Hey, why didn't the prophet tell him to make sure he struck five or six? No it had to come from the zeal of his heart.

Joash was content with a bit of "light relief" from the Syrians, he didn't want a total salvation, he just wanted a breather. He was still thinking about himself, not the Glory of God.

God is starting to move among us, what do we want? a bit of blessing, a bit of refreshing so we can relax? Or do we want to see a mighty move that's gonna upheave our lives but bring Christ in his power and glory and grace to many in this city?

OH God, give us the grace to get up and cry to you and strike the ground with Zeal for YOUR glory, not just our own comfort!