Scripture:
2 Kings 1:13-14 ESV
[13] Again, the king sent the captain of a third fifty with his fifty. And the third captain of fifty went up and came and fell on his knees before Elijah and entreated him, “O man of God, please let my life, and the life of these fifty servants of yours, be precious in your sight. [14] Behold, fire came down from heaven and consumed the two former captains of fifty men with their fifties, but now let my life be precious in your sight.”
Observation:
The King was sick and wanted to know if he was going to live. So he sent a captain to inquire from the prophets of a false god. Honestly, it must have done no good because later, he decided to send for Elijah. The first captain of fifty men called out to Elijah to come with him, and things did not go well. Calling him a man of GOD yet seemingly somewhat demanding that he come with him. Elijah was not impressed… calling down fire from heaven, the captain and his men were consumed by the fire. This happened 2 times with 2 different captains. You might think if the king had any value for the lives of his captains, the 3rd one would not have been sent. However, that was not the case. The king wanted answers, and he was not getting them from Baal or his prophets. YAHWAH was the only one who could give this answer, and Elijah was his spokesman. Paying attention to what happened with the last 2 captains, the 3rd one was a quick study. Knowing that Elijah was a man of GOD, he made his approach a lot different. Rather than ordering Elijah to come with him, he bowed to YAHWAH asking for mercy. He had just watched 2 men that he had probably fought next to get consumed by fire. You can almost see the scene playing out as he approaches… man, I hope he will not send the fire. How can I get him to come with me? What do I say? I mean, this is a true man of GOD. Maybe I should ask for mercy. Maybe I should approach it differently. Wait… I know… I will just ask him to find value in me. Well… it worked. The angel of the LORD gave Elijah directions to spare his life and go with him.
Application:
How often do we demand our way? Telling ourselves well, he is a man of GOD. This is what I should be able to expect. Maybe we should consider our approach. I know I say this a lot, but it’s because I know it to be true. None of this life is about me. Once I acknowledge GOD for who he is, that’s pretty easy to see. If I am looking for a reason to get upset and turn away from the only thing that will help, that’s pretty easy to do. Demanding my way is what I know. Maybe if we approach GOD, acknowledging HIM for who HE is HE will see the reverence for HIM. We have to remember we are approaching the maker of heaven and earth. This is not something we should do in an irreverent way. Let’s think about how Jesus taught his men how to pray. This is the prayer that we tend to say word for word at a lot of different times, and I get that, but honestly, what it is is an outline for how to pray… “Our Father in Heaven” is a term of reverence. It acknowledges GOD for who HE is. If we could just keep this outline in mind when we are approaching GOD, maybe just maybe it would change things. When going boldly to the throne room of grace, we must remember that it is grace that allows us to approach at all. For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of GOD.
Prayer:
Father, I am not a perfect person. I fall short in many ways. You are a holy and righteous GOD. Who has made a way for us to be able to approach you… your grace is so absolutely amazing that I don’t really understand the depth of it. All I really know is that when I approach seeking mercy. You meet me where I’m at. Thank you. You have given me new life. May the love of Jesus show through all that I do. It’s in HIS name I pray amen