Scripture
2 Kings 11-13; Psalm 142; Revelation 1
Observation
2 Kings 13:20 So Elisha died, and they buried him. Now bands of Moabites used to invade the land in the spring of the year. 21 And as a man was being buried, behold, a marauding band was seen and the man was thrown into the grave of Elisha, and as soon as the man touched the bones of Elisha, he revived and stood on his feet.
Just a little bonus piece of info for added emphasis… You used Elisha post-mortem to raise the dead!
2 Kings 13:23 But the Lord was gracious to them and had compassion on them, and he turned toward them, because of his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and would not destroy them, nor has he cast them from his presence until now.
Your faithfulness was not a response to good behavior, merit, or faithfulness. In fact, a businessman would have declared the contract breached. But You remained faithful because of Your word.
Psalm 142:1 With my voice I cry out to the Lord;
with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord.
2 I pour out my complaint before him;
I tell my trouble before him.
You are a big enough God to handle things when they don’t wrap up nicely by the end of the 30-minute episode. You’re secure enough to listen to my opinions and limited perspective. You’re near enough to hear my complaint, and powerful enough to fix it.
Revelation 1:5b To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail [12] on account of him. Even so. Amen. 8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Reading Revelation with a Kingdom framework is completely different. I see the majesty of declaring “to Him be the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” I see the finality of “Omega” and know that You are the consummation. I see the already and not yet in “Even so. Amen.” and statements like, “Who is and who was and who is to come.” Incredible
Application/Prayer
Lord, thank You for your faithfulness. I know that it is not based on my faithfulness or behavior. And I’m thankful. But I want to respond to You with faithfulness. I want to be holy because You’re holy. I want to stay true, because You are true. I love You because You first loved me. Lord, I respond to You.
Father, You know my heart. Why do I try to spin my words with You. You’re aware when things are crappy. You see when things are great. And You’re with me in it all. Help me to speak honestly with You, understanding all the while Who I’m speaking to!
Lord, everywhere I look I see Your kingdom. Help me to tune into it and build it. Help me to be a faithful subject. To You be the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen!
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