I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.

Isaiah 48

I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. v17

As God continues to admonish Israel for its wicked ways, He continues to provide hope and encouragement - this is how perfect God - His love is present in all that He does for His children.   Today's verse serves as a great reminder for how we need not look elsewhere for our guidance and direction.

The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand. Psalm 37:23-24

 

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

 

Just as God led the Israelites out of Egypt by fire and by cloud, He continues to direct our ways - as long as we submit to Him (Romans 12:2).

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gives me all I need to know my way.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But Elisha said to him, “Was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to take money or to accept clothes—or olive groves and vineyards, or flocks and herds, or male and female slaves? Naaman’s leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever.” Then Gehazi went from Elisha’s presence and his skin was leprous—it had become as white as snow. v26-27

2 Kings 5

But Elisha said to him, “Was not my spirit with you when the man got down from his chariot to meet you? Is this the time to take money or to accept clothes—or olive groves and vineyards, or flocks and herds, or male and female slaves? Naaman’s leprosy will cling to you and to your descendants forever.” Then Gehazi went from Elisha’s presence and his skin was leprous—it had become as white as snow. v26-27

Once again we see parallels between the Old Testament and the New Testament.

With Naaman, we have a "highly regarded" commander who through him God brings a great victory (v1). Naaman also has leprosy. Elisha initially provides indirect instructions (through a messenger v10) to wash in the Jordan River seven times.  Naaman initially scoffs at such instructions but ultimately follows the instructions and is healed.

In Matthew 8:5-8, Jesus encounters a centurion of great faith whose servant is quite ill.  The centurion has such great faith that he says that a direct in person healing is not necessary and that Jesus need only assure the centurion that his servant will be healed.  Of course the servant is healed that very moment.

When we ask for God's assistance and He responds - we often do not like His response or we may not be aware that He even responded because we are looking for a specific type of response.  God ALWAYS hear our prayers and when we cry out - He will respond....in His timing and method.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens[.] Ecclesiastes 3:1

In 2 Kings 5 we also see parallels between Gehazi and the servant from the Parable of the Gold Coins (or Talents). Gehazi and the lazy servant seek selfish gain instead of using earthly wealth to glorify Him.  Notice in 2 Kings 5:24 how Gehazi "put [his gain] away in the house".

We should understand that every good and perfect gift comes from above (James 1:17) and that we are be good stewards of how He blesses us with time, treasure, and talents.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an amazing God You are!  You bless me abundantly with Your Son, Your Word, the Holy Spirit, the church, my family, job, health, home, etc.  My cup certainly overflows.  I am not deserving.  I worry far too much.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.    

Then the king said to his men, “Do you not realize that a commander and a great man has fallen in Israel this day? And today, though I am the anointed king, I am weak, and these sons of Zeruiah are too strong for me. May the Lord repay the evildoer according to his evil deeds!”

2 Samuel 3

Then the king said to his men, “Do you not realize that a commander and a great man has fallen in Israel this day? And today, though I am the anointed king, I am weak, and these sons of Zeruiah are too strong for me. May the Lord repay the evildoer according to his evil deeds!” v38-39

After Saul dies, the commander of Saul's army, Abner - initiates a power struggle with David to determine who should rule over both Israel and Judah.  However, ultimately Abner determines that he should not fight the Lord's anointed.

May God deal with Abner, be it ever so severely, if I do not do for David what the Lord promised him on oath and transfer the kingdom from the house of Saul and establish David’s throne over Israel and Judah from Dan to Beersheba.” v9-10

David and Abner strike an agreement to peaceably transfer power of Israel from Saul's house (Abner) to David.  Abner then leaves David in peace.

Joab - who was not present to the agreement - feels that Abner is an enemy and he cannot be trusted so he - on his own accord - makes the decision to kill Abner.  David makes his displeasure known.  

For us, a key lesson here is to avoid our impulsive nature and to seek the Lord's guidance - explicitly with regard to significant actions and decisions that will have lasting consequences.  

Contrast this with David's repeated inquiries of the Lord with another one in 2 Samuel 2:

In the course of time, David inquired of the Lord. “Shall I go up to one of the towns of Judah?” he asked.

The Lord said, “Go up.”

David asked, “Where shall I go?”

“To Hebron,” the Lord answered. v1

My sense is that we should be in a daily relationship with Jesus so that in the little things we know what to do (see also Romans 12:2) and go to Him explicitly with the bigger things.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are!  You are Truth and I am lost without You.  Thank You for your guidance.  I am not worth such love.  I often neglect my relationship with You. Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.