Only God knows how leaders will turn out. David of course was a Godly leader and his bloodline can be traced all the way to Jesus. Some of his descendants served the Lord faithfully, and some didn’t.

We can pray that our descendants will be faithful to serve the Lord. We can do our best to influence them by being faithful examples of godliness …  faithful in  reading the Word, prayer and church attendance.

Our position is a posture of faith, believing the very best for those that follow us.

READ/HEAR: 2 Kings 14,15

The great prophet Elisha died from an unknown illness. Some may say he performed miracles for others but could not for himself. Godly people have afflictions like anyone else, but they have an eternal home with God in heaven. There was still so much power from God in Elisha’s bones that a dead man came back to life when he was accidentally thrown upon Elisha’s bones.

We all face challenges and godly people are no exception. Regardless of their circumstances they continue to serve God and believe him for great things. They live by faith!

READ/HEAR:  2 Kings 11-13

Jehu reigned over Israel for 28 years. He, almost single-handedly, eliminated the descendants of Ahab AND the prophets of Baal. Although he was not an entirely godly man, he did accomplish the Lord’s will as spoken by Elijah about the house of Ahab.

God sees over His Word and causes it to come to pass. His resources are unlimited. He can use a leader who is seemingly not the godly type to accomplish His purposes. We may say, “How can God use him? He’s so ungodly.” Nevertheless, God uses whom He will to accomplish His purposes and keep His promises to men.

We need to pray for leaders, even though they may not seem godly to us.

READ/HEAR: 2 Kings 10

Even though some of the kings of Judah did not follow the ways of David, God kept His promise to David that his descendants would rule. God puts up with a lot of crap to keep His promises. His mercy is unending.

Of course, Jesus was in the bloodline of David and ultimately became the King God was referring to.

READ/HEAR: 2 Kings 8,9

The Arameans had surrounded Samaria, shutting off any supplies from getting in. The inhabitants were resorting to cannibalism to stay alive. Elisha had predicted a sudden turn of events whereby food would the next day be cheaply made available.

The Lord had caused the Arameans to hear a great army, inciting fear that caused them to flee.

Four unlikely lepers at the gate of Samaria discovered their departure, leaving behind all their stuff. The lepers said to themselves, “This is not right. This is a day of good news, and we’re keeping it all to ourselves.” They told the king, and Elisha’s prophecy was brought to pass.

There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty.  The liberal soul shall be made fat: and he that watereth shall be watered also himself. Pr. 11:24,25

READ/HEAR: 2 Ki. 6,7

I was baptized several years ago in the Jordan river. It’s muddy and undesirable to look at. Why did Elisha instruct Naaman to dip seven times in it? Regardless, it must have been an issue of simple obedience for him to comply with to receive his healing from the Lord for his dreaded leprosy. It worked. Upon returning to Elisha to express his gratitude, he offered the prophet a generous reward of silver and fine clothing. In his integrity, Elisha graciously refused. He remained beholding ONLY to God for the gift of healing.

His servant was a different story. He deceitfully accepted the reward under false pretenses. BIG MISTAKE! His bogus plan was revealed to Elisha by the Lord. For his carnal lust for gain, he paid a dear penalty … leprosy upon him and his descendants.

Paul said, “Gain is not godliness.” Whoever seeks to profit personally from ministering for the Lord is headed in the WRONG DIRECTION!

READ/HEAR: 2 Kings 5

Raising people from the dead is possible through God, but not heard of often. Elisha laid upon the Shunamite’s dead son, mouth to mouth and eye to eye twice. After awhile the boy coughed seven times and came back from the dead. It was a process, with Elisha pacing back and forth in the room, no doubt in prayer and intercession for the boy.

I met a missionary/evangelist named David Hogan who claimed to have raised many from the dead. I asked him how much intercession was an average to raise a person from the dead. He replied, “About 5 hours.” His answer spoke of a prayer process that many are unwilling to endure.

Too often, myself included, we say a quick and brief prayer about our concern and go along our merry way. There’s a prayer-price to pay for the restoration of life.  Jesus Himself agonized in the Garden of Gethsemane often for the entire night. We can learn from His example.

READ/HEAR: 2 Kings 3,4

When I was a music student at BGSU, a composition project required that I write for chorus and instrumental accompaniment. I selected my text from 2 Kings 1 which told the very dramatic account of Elijah’s “calling fire down out of heaven.” Looking back, I wonder what the students who performed the piece thought about a God Who sent down soldier-consuming fire at Elijah’s request. I imagine that none of them will forget the experience.

Elijah was an unforgettable character. His life and miracles were some of the most dramatic and extreme in the entire canon of scripture. When we consider the awesome power and demonstrative nature of his life and ministry, it’s no wonder that Elisha was so compelled to follow him to tap into his power and relationship with God.

We need this power today! We “tap in” by reading the Word of God daily, asking God for the “double portion” of Holy Ghost power like Elijah had.

READ/HEAR: 2 Kings 1,2

The story of how Ahab and Jezebel had Naboth murdered so Ahab could take possession of a garden shows how carefully God watches leaders and their dealings. Tragedy would strike Ahab’s family, as predicted by Elijah, the prophet.

Leaders today seem to have very little fear of God or regard for maintaining integrity before their constituents. God watches their every move and has His way of putting pressure upon them to do what is right. As Pastor Moses Vegh used to say, “God can pull the pins on their chariot wheels and make them ride on axles for awhile.”

READ/HEAR: 1 Ki. 21,22

Israel went against Ben-Hadad and the Aramean army. The Arameans thought God was a God of the mountains, so they attacked in the plain. Mistake. God empowered Israel to  conquered them to show that He was God over ALL.

God has the power to guard His reputation and His name. We are to use the name of Jesus in every prayer and seek His influence in every decision. Give God a chance and He will redeem us because of His Holy Name.

READ/HEAR: 1 Ki. 19,20