Achan’s Folly

Israel has come into the land to inherit God’s Promise to them….and the first obstacle was the fortress city of Jericho.

This was an impossibility! Yet God gave them a miraculous victory.

This was the first battle….therefore the Lord gave certain requirements concerning the things found in the city….

Joshua 6:17-19 “And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the Lord:….

And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.

But all the silver, and gold, and vessels of brass and iron are consecrated unto the Lord: they shall come into the treasury of the Lord.”

Joshua 7:1 “But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing:…”

First, I want to explain “foolishness”…..it means to be perverse, to act in silliness or to choose to let our emotions rule, when we know better.

Psalm 14:1 “The fool hath said in his heart, there is no God, they are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good”

(Most believe that it says in the original…”The fool hath said in his heart, No, God,..”)

Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

(We often are unaware of the definitions of God’s Word. We think their meaning is the way we use them now.

The way we think of “fool” now is that they are stupid, or that they blindly follow their idea….which could be good…

But “fool” in the Bible, means one who has despised God’s character and law….and acts from that motive.)

Achan was an Israelite, of the tribe of Judah. He had a family, and cattle, and goods.

He has seen the bondage of Egypt as a child,….

…the wilderness wanderings and the Lord dealing with His people,…

….and was among those that crossed the Jordan,……dry shod.

He had heard the instructions of Joshua to the people as how they were to see the fortress of Jericho destroyed….

….and the warnings of what to stay away from.

He walked around Jericho for seven days, till they shouted on the last day, when the walls fell down flat.

He had witnessed, for himself, a lot of miracles….yet…

…..with all that knowledge of God, and His power for His people….

…..still he gave into his lust, when he was tempted…(James 1:14-15)

Joshua 7:1 “But the children of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing: for Achan,….of the tribe of Judah, took of the accursed thing: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against the children of Israel.”

But it is not the affect that Achan’s sin had on Israel that I want to speak of….but the damage that it caused his own soul….and the damage to his family.

So let us look at what tempted him:

Joshua 7:21 “When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it.”

A Babylonian garment….luxurious and grand….something to make him look like “Somebody”.

(To be able to walk around feeling as good, or better than others.)

A bag of silver….here is the spending money he has always wanted! He could take a little of it and buy anything he wanted.

(To be able to gratify his desire….now.)

A wedge of gold….wealth. It was not something he could carry in his pocket to use for buying and selling….but it was something to be put up….for prestige and collateral.

(To be able to rest content…thinking he was “kept” by it, for years to come.)

All of these have to do with Achan’s personality….as all our temptations come from what we “lust” after.

Achan is unsatisfied with the way things are going….

Perhaps he is unhappy about waiting to get “what is mine”…..his inheritance.

Perhaps it is just a “sample” of his inheritance that he wants….

Perhaps it is desire for prestige and importance…..

…..for the Babylonian garment is named first….

“Boy, wouldn’t I look grand in that….just like the landowner I will be soon!”

(And how often are we concerned with what the world values?

1 John 2:16-17 “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

And the world passeth away, and the lusts thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.”)

Achan is unhappy with God’s Will….for all the first battles’s goods will go to the Lord. (Like the tithe and offerings we give…..Him first.)

Achan is someone who feels that God’s requirements are too harsh…….God should not demand “so much”.

(Have not we felt the same way, at times?)

Yet, had he ever been without supplies….for him, his family, or animals?….no.

Has he been promised a place, an inheritance,….for him and his family?….yes.

Hadn’t God fought for them against the greatest nation of the world…Egypt; and against the Amalekites….and even now, makes the walls of this huge city fall down?…..yes.

What did he lack?

(This is a question we should all ask ourselves….when we are tempted.)

Now when Achan looked down as he was fighting in Jericho….and saw the Babylonian garment, the silver, and the gold….

….it was not just these things…….but what he imagined for himself, with them.

Then, he said, “No, God.”

And his folly led him to take what was to be hallowed to the Lord….for himself.

Worse,…..he drew his family into his folly, when he came back to camp….and hid these things in his tent….under the blankets there…

….because they would have known….so he made them guilty with him.

(They could have come and told the leaders….or priests, to get forgiveness and guidance….yet they kept silence.

Their silence to his guilt….made them guilty, too.)

Sin begets sin.

For this folly, Achan…..and his family…..and all that he had was destroyed…..for he had made them a curse. (Joshua 7:24-26)

Now, let’s look at God’s provision for His people….His general way of dealing with us.

Isaiah 30:18 “And therefore will the Lord wait, that He may be gracious unto you, and therefore will He be exalted, that He may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgement: blessed are all they that wait for Him.”

(As we have mentioned before “judgement” means He weighs the righteous and obedient….and the wicked and disobedient)

The Lord’s Word is a place of shelter, a place of comfort, a place of joy….and yes, a place of judgement.

For it shows us…..us.

What we do with that knowledge makes all the difference.

What we do after that, makes all the difference!

Will we obey His Will?

What do we think of our Lord?

Achan should have waited on the Lord.

He should have reasoned with his lust and said….”No, Achan. (Instead of No God)….I do not know what God will give me….but I will trust Him to do the right thing.”

If he had, he would have had a whole lot more than what he foolishly took….and be blessed in having it!

For God had the spoil of the next city and all the rest of the places to be divided among the people.

(Joshua 8:2, 27. It is recorded twice that we should not miss the significance of it.)

Joshua 8:27 “Only the cattle and the spoil of that city Israel took for a prey unto themselves according unto the word of the Lord which He commanded Joshua.”

God had plenty for Achan….and for all Israel….but they were to honor Him first….while trusting in Him for the rest.

Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Luke 21:19 “In your patience possess ye your souls”

This sounds odd: surely, we have our souls, don’t we?

But do you?

Are you a person who has an uncontrollable temper?

Do you have a habit you can not give up?

Do you let your feelings “get the better of you”?

Anytime we, as Christians, let something else but God rule in our hearts, minds and wills; we do not “possess” our souls,…….they are being influenced by the World, our old nature which still wants it’s way, or the Devil.

Our souls are our personality: our mind, heart, and will, are it’s faculties.

What we think, influences our personality. (And how often our way of thinking is shaped by what is around us: at home, at work, or school?)

What we feel, influences our personality. (Hurt feelings, unforgiving anger, or inappropriate affections; often get into our hearts and want to stay)

What we will, really influences our personality; for our wills, are the whole of us active.

From an early age, we decide what we will, whether we can carry out our decisions, or not.

How many times have we thought:

“I will do this, no matter what you think.”

“I won’t, even if you want me to.”

How many children (and some adults, too) have indulged in these thoughts; only to find out that they turn into attitudes, when they don’t even want them to.

Rebellion is really in our make-up (from our first parents: Adam and Eve)

We often choose it, instead of yielding to authority.

And yes, this includes God’s Authority.

But when we are born again, then our wills begin to be trained to yield to God, by the power of the Holy Spirit within us, helping us to yield.

This is when we can truly “possess” our souls, with the freedom which comes from the guidance, peace and power of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 1:17-19 “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him:

The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling, and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints,

And what is the exceeding greatness of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power,”

Ephesians 5:17-18 “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

And be not drunk with wine (don’t place yourself under the influence of wine), wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.(place yourself under the influence of the Holy Spirit)”

1 Corinthians 2:12 “Now we have received, not the spirt of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.”

2 Corinthians 3:18 “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

Romans 15:13 “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”

2 Corinthians 13:14 “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.”

Communion means fellowship here. His Presence with us is the help we need at every time.

And as He “helps”, we become more and more able to know, see, act and react in freedom…we can be the personalities we truly are…..freed from the restraints of habits, attitudes we don’t even want, and all that hinders us from coming close to Jesus.

We can possess our own souls, for we will know who we are, and where we are going, with the Lord.

The Lord wants us to “possess” our souls; to be free from the influences of the world, the flesh, and the Devil; and be who He has created us to be.

Are we growing in grace?

2 Peter 3:18 “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever. Amen.”

Peter knew a lot about this; having denied the Lord three times, once even before a maid.

Yet he was restored, and became the first preacher of the gospel after Pentecost. Three thousand were saved that first day.(Acts 2:41)

He had grown some since he had bragged about his loyalty; and then failed Jesus so terribly.

He had learned his own weakness….when his courage and devotion failed…..even when he loved the Lord….

After he was filled with the Spirit on the day of Pentecost, he learned how to preach……he learned about persecution,…and determined they must obey God rather than man…

…..about the Lord including the Gentiles into the church….

….about the importance of the Word of God….

….and he learned that we are never “too sanctified” to get tripped up.

Galatians 2:11-13 “But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed.

For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision.

And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried with their dissimulation.”

When this happened, Paul corrected him in front of everyone there…..”when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel…”

Was this Peter,….the one who had opened the door to Gentiles….yet, tripped up? How could this be?

Because we are never out of danger, this side of heaven.

And Peter was weak before the influence of men,……for he was not yielding to the Holy Spirit….he let his emotions lead him, instead.

It says, “….fearing them which were of the circumcision.”

Fear is a terrible enemy….how many have stumbled under the “roar” of the devil, causing fear

(1 Peter 5:8-9 here Peter warns of this very thing).

Peter, corrected, though….went on to preach many places….taking with him Mark…discipling him…till he was a old man…

But he knew he was not done growing….he would continue to grow as long as he would be “in this tabernacle”…..for he (and we) should never stop learning by the Holy Spirit, in our experiences of life about Jesus, and what He will do for us.

And so when he was old, he warned others about this very thing…”that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.”(verse 1:16)

2 Peter 1:2-4, 12-13 “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth.

Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle (body), to stir you up by putting you in remembrance:”

Every true Christian stands in need of growing in grace.

To do so, must “eat” the Bread of Life which is Christ.

That involves fellowship with Him….in our everyday tasks.

(Are we spending time with our lovely Lord?)

We must “drink” the water of Life freely which is His Holy Spirit.

That involves yielding ourselves to His guidance and convictions.

If we are to become strong Christians, and not babes, we need to grow.

We need to use what He gives us and gain experience with Him.

(If Jesus were here on earth, and came and invited you to follow Him, would you?

But, though He is not here on earth,…..He is still inviting us to:

Come and Follow Me into the everyday experiences of today, tomorrow, and onward.)

Hebrews 5:14 “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

We have spiritual senses, as well as natural ones.

We are to have “hearing ears” to hear what the Lord says to us. There is no audible voice; but the internal Voice which guides us.

We are to have “seeing eyes”……eyes of faith…..enlightened by the Holy Spirit and His Word.

We are to have the sense of “smell”.

This Spiritual sense tells us if a thing is good or rotten, just like our nose does. It is discernment.

And we have “taste”. We are called to taste and see that the Lord is good. (Psalms 34:8)

That means, we are to experience His sweetness in the comfort, help, and word He gives.

It is of the Holy Spirit, as all of these are:

but we are to use His enabling, and learn by the experience. This is how we grow in grace.

Peter did…..and when he was old, said….

….remember my example, both failures, and successes……and learn of Christ, by the Holy Spirit.

If we sit on the sidelines….we certainly may be Christians,…

….but we will not grow in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and become strong,….having those “all things that pertain to life….and godliness…” (think of it!)

Again, Peter did…..perfectly? No, but he learned.

Are we willing to learn of the Holy Spirit?

Our Stand before the World

After Judah had sinned, God let their enemies have the victory over them; to show them they should repent and turn back to Him.

Sadly they would not, and Nebuchadnezzar came to Jerusalem three times. The first two, he took much of the riches of the land; and the learned men. The third time, he destroyed the walls, and burnt the temple.

On the first conquest, Nebuchadnezzar took away the young men of skill. Princes who had been taught in science and who demonstrated wisdom. They would have to learn the teachings and the language of the Chaldeans, so they could be of use to Nebuchadnezzar.

Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego were four such young men. When brought to the palace of the king of Babylon, they were given over to the prince of the eunuchs; or the one in charge of their learning process.

Daniel 1:5 “And the king appointed a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine of which he drank: so nourishing them three years that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.”

They were in a foreign country, living at the whim of the king, and the food that was presented to them was designed to “nourish them”. (make them stronger, smarter, and able to stand before the king, looking good.)

They could have reasoned that they had no choice.

That if God let them come to this land, then He would want them to “go along” with the plan of those that took them.

(The food had been offered to the king’s gods; then given to the king and his favorites)

But Daniel “purposed in his heart” that he would not defile himself with these foods and wine.

He was concerned with serving God, even in a foreign land.

He was not going to forget the commandments of God, just because he was not in the land of Judah.

But what should he do?

Daniel 1:8 “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.”

He went to the one in charge of their care, and asked that he might not eat these things.

He did not have a fit, and refuse to eat….but asked….giving respect for the person assigned their preparation for the king’s service (he, too, was just a servant).

God blessed him, and put respect for Daniel in this man’s heart.

But it was not just Daniel’s safety that was in question.

Daniel 1:10 “And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your face worse liking than the children which are of your sort? Then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king.”

Daniel understood the danger he was putting this man in; so he asked for a test.

If it was a matter of their strength and looks…..then God would surely let their obedience be blessed; that they may look healthy and strong.

(So they would look healthier than the other young men that had been brought to Babylon to learn their sciences and knowledge.)

Daniel 1:12-14 “Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse (grains) to eat, and water to drink.

Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenances of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.

So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.”

Daniel was going to leave this test into the hands of the Lord.

God would bless His word, and give them health and strength; so the eunuch would be able to see the difference.

They would be able to live, the eunuch would be able to live, and they could obey God….even in this foreign land.

Daniel 1:15-16 “And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children that did eat the portion of the king’s meat.

Thus Melzar (the eunuch) took away the portion of their meat, and the wine which they should drink; and gave them pulse.”

So Daniel and his friends remained obedient to God, and continued in this training.

They became very important to this king, and honored God in their service many times.

Daniel 1:17, 18, 20 “As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill and learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all vision and dreams.

Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.

And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.”

At first Daniel stood alone, for God’s commandments; but soon three others joined him.

We may be sent to another place, or job, or school; or stay in the same place……But being His born again ones, we can serve the Lord wherever we are.

We are never alone, for the Holy Spirit is within us; giving us the blessing of His Presence and guidance.

And help.

He works in us; but He is also working things out around us…..if we just trust and obey Him.

Diotrephes,….and Gaius

3 John 9 “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, recieveth us not.”

This is an amazing statement….the beloved Apostle John….the one that leaned his head on Jesus shoulder at the Last Supper….the one that ran with the other disciples, but then came back and followed Jesus into the Judgement Hall……the only one of the twelve that stood at the foot of the cross, as Jesus was crucified…..

…..was not received!

Who would even consider such an action? And what was this about?

(We think of apostolic power…..of how much they accomplished for Christ Jesus….going out and spreading the gospel….because of the great love they had for Christ…

….but here is a picture into the decay of a church.

A church that went from the bright, joyful fellowship of believers….into one that allowed this one who “loves to have the preeminence”, to rule.

John lived longer than any of the Apostles….he was younger….and he was the only one who died a natural death….the others were martyred.

He had been imprisoned (Revelation 1:9, 10:11)…….and let out, to preach and teach again….mending the church, with the Words of Christ:

Revelation 2:4-5 “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.

Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works: or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.”

This candlestick was the Light of God shining through them….they were quenching it, by “leaving their first love”….Christ. Other things had come in….and their “light” was dimming.

And here is the state of the church now……”lukewarm”. We think they are all right….but God wants us zealous….boiling hot….and to get there we need to repent.

Revelation 3:15-16, 19 “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold or hot: I would that thou wert cold or hot.

So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold or hot, I will spur thee out of my mouth.

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”)

Here, in his last epistle, John was writing his friend Gaius, and thanking him for receiving the men, who for Christ’s sake, were going around as itinerant preachers….to the churches.

3 John 7-8 “Because that for His (Jesus Christ) name’s sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.

We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellow helpers to the truth.”

Now these men, who had been called to go out and preach at churches for their instruction and encouragement….had not asked for money from the churches…..and had only gone into homes that asked them in.

Yet there was one in the church, Diotrephes, that wanted to have the say about who would speak in the church….and who would not.

3 John 9 “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the pre-eminence among them, receiveth us not.”

These men that had come, were Jewish/Christian preachers……sent from the Apostle John to this church;…for it’s good.

But because they were Jewish……that gave this man an excuse for “prating” about them…..to berate them….and by implication,….

….to refuse the Apostle John’s recommendation.

Instead,…substituting his own opinion as right…..which had to be obeyed.

(The criteria for receiving those who say they are Christians, was set down by our Lord Jesus, and the Apostle John:

John 13:20 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that recieveth whosoever I send receiveth Me, and he that receiveth Me receiveth Him that sent Me.”

And how do you know that the Lord sent them? By the doctrine they preach….is it the Word of God?

2 John 9-10 “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him Godspeed:”

How important it is, for us to know God’s Word!)

Love and fellowship, is a predominant topic with John….and this man, Diotrephes, has neither.

Diotrephes, instead, uses his influence,….for the love of being in charge….not for the love and good of the church.

He went even further, than speaking against them. He demanded that they would not be received!

Then, a step more……he demanded to have those people who would want to hear these preachers,….or give them a place to stay…….to be cast out of the church!

3 John 10 “Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbideth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.”

But the Apostle John spake out against such behavior of fellow believers.

3 John 11-12 “Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

Demetrius (one of the men John had sent) hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.”

(There is personal conviction for each believer….

….so if Diotrephes could not hear them….or open his house to them…..fine.

But others could….and would have,….

….except, that he threatened them…..

…..but where did he get such authority? Not from God….but from those in the church….who let him take over their own responsibility.

Paul warned the church at Ephesus, about the same thing:

Acts 20:28-31 “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood.

For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

Also of your own selves, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

Therefore watch,…”)

But Gaius is of another spirit….he recognizes another Christian, by their conversation and reactions……especially some sent by the beloved Apostle

John…..no matter what background they are from….

….and he welcomes them into his home….giving them food and lodging….having fellowship with them…..taking them to the church…

….and when they are refused there….he keeps them till they are ready to depart to the next place…and sends them away with food.

3 John 3, 5-6 “For I rejoice greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.

Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;

Which hath borne witness of thy charity before the church whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:”

As Christians, we are to love one another….looking for the Word of God to be worked out in ourselves, and others through the Holy Spirit…

…..to grow in grace and the knowledge of God…. for God’s glory…..and for the strengthening and encouraging of the local church.

1 John 2:5-6 “But whoso keepeth His Word, in him verily, is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in Him.

He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also to walk, even as He (Christ Jesus) walked.”

Each Christian’s responsibility before the Lord……is to know the Word of God, listen to the Holy Spirit, and to love each other in the Lord.

The Test of Devotion/Where is the Lord God of Elijah?

2 Kings 2:1 “And it came to pass, when the Lord would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal.”

Elijah was God’s Prophet. He had been called, when Israel was at one of it’s worst times.

He had proved that God was “the God”, before all Israel in a “showdown” with the four hundred priests of Baal, who were supported by Jezebel, the queen. (1 Kings 18:36-39)

His success there, thwarted the efforts of Jezebel to destroy the worship of God.

There were still those who were idol worshippers……but she could no longer kill, and torture those who believed in God, as she had before.

There had been a renewal of the worship of the Lord, because of Elijah.

But now it was time for Elijah to be taken to heaven. Years before, Elijah had been told to anoint Elisha as prophet, in his room. (1 Kings 19:16, 19-21)

And Elisha had been a servant to Elijah, as his helper, while his training had been going on. (Some say this took about ten years…for Elijah’s ministry went through Ahab’s reign into his son’s 2 Kings 1)

2 Kings 2:2 “And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Beth-el. And Elisha said unto him, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Beth-el.”

So Elijah and Elisha traveled from Gilgal to Beth-el together.

Elijah had asked Elisha to stay at Gilgal, but Elisha would not leave him. Where he went, his helper would go also.

Elisha knew that God was going to take Elijah, and he wanted to hear every instruction, every prayer, and every help he could, before that happened.

He also felt that being with him till the end was his duty.

That God would show him what to do next, by it.

We have been called to follow Christ Jesus. Through His Word, He has shown us many things.

We know we are born again, but often, we are conscious of a lack of power in what we do….

How are we to do, all we have been called to do?

Of course, it is through the power of the Holy Spirit within….learning all we can from Him….letting Him manifesting Himself through us……staying with Him, everywhere He leads.

2 Kings 2:4 “And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the Lord hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho.”

They travel on, together…they are traveling south and east…toward the starting place where Israel first came into the land of Canaan…to the River Jordan.

2 Kings 2:6 “ And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the Lord hath sent me unto Jordan. And he said, As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on.”

Stay here? Elijah asked, at both places…….But again came the reply, “I will not leave thee.”

I believe, Elisha knew that the ministry of Elijah was ending…..and his, as God’s prophet to Israel, was beginning.

He knew that he would need to see the work Elijah started,…..done.

Elijah had awakened the people to God’s claims on their lives…..and Elisha was to guide and instruct them into the Word and Will of God.

There were many who had come out of hiding, and now worship the Lord openly….but they needed instruction….so Elisha was to teach them.

God would part them….that was His Will……but Elisha would continue on as Elijah’s servant, and companion, till God did.

He would not leave him, till then.

2 Kings 2:7c-9 “…and they two stood by Jordan.

And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground.

And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, that a double portion of thy Spirit be upon me.”

Here Elisha sees once more the power of God Elijah received, and put to use…to cross a river which was an obstacle to where they were going…

And here, Elijah asks him “what shall I do for thee?”

Without hesitation, Elisha asks for a double portion of the power of God.

Why a double portion?

He felt that he needed more of that power of the Holy Spirit, to help him finish the work Elijah had started.

It is one thing to begin following the Lord….it is another to persevere through testing and trials….so…

If Israel was to be guided according to the Word of God, then Elisha would need double the power that Elijah had been given.

It is one thing to show God, as “the God”; as Elijah had.

But to guide the believers of God, into the life which they ought to have, stay with them, or visit them, to help them again and again.

This was Elisha’s ministry.

He felt that such a work, would need great power. The enemies of God were still at work. Idolatry was always a problem.

Elisha felt, if he was to serve acceptably as God’s Prophet, he would need much of the Holy Spirit.

2 Kings 2:10 “And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.”

Now if Elijah had said this at the first, we could understand Elisha’s sticking close to him.

But that was not the reason for him staying with Elijah.

His devotion was to the man who lead him into a deeper knowledge of God.

Elijah had taught Elisha many things, shared his experiences, and manifested to Elisha the great faithfulness of God to His people.

Now it was time for Elisha to do the same with the sons of the prophets (groups of believers which met together in various cities), and with Israel.

Elijah’s ministry would now be passed on to Elisha, to be finished.

2 Kings 2:11-13 “And it came to pass, as they went on, and talked that, Behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went by a whirlwind into heaven.

And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My Father, My Father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them into two pieces.

He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;”

Going on, walking and talking, as they had done so many times; God parted them, with a chariot of fire and horses of fire.

Elijah was taken up to heaven, without seeing death, and Elisha saw him no more.

Elisha then tore his outer clothes in two pieces, to show he was no longer just Elisha…..and he picked up the mantle Elijah had dropped (which had been cast upon him when Elijah had called him. 1 Kings 19:19).

He was now Prophet in Elijah’s place.

2 Kings 2:13-14 “He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of the Jordan;

And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said,

Where is the Lord God of Elijah? And when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: And Elisha went over.”

He asked, “Where is the Lord God of Elijah?”…..are you with me as You were with Elijah?

He had received a double portion of the Holy Spirit which had been on Elijah.

He was now to finish the work of leading the believers of God, in Israel, on to a more full, and joyful life with God….even in these trying times.

In his ministry, Elisha dealt with kings, captains, and those which would be kings.

But his ministry mainly centered around the circuit he walked with his servants, to preach and instruct those that believed in God and stayed true to Him.

From Gilgal, to Mt. Carmel, to Samaria, to Beth-el, and around, Elisha went delivering the message of God; saving such as came to seek God’s help, and leading others to a fuller knowledge of God.

Elisha died an old man….ministering till the last to those who came to him. (2 Kings 13:13-21)

We, too, have a ministry for which we should seek the empowering of the Holy Spirit.

He is in us, if we are born again; but to have His power in our lives, we need to submit to Him.

The condition of Elisha receiving the double portion, was that he stay with Elijah to the end, and see him go.

Elisha’s obedience gave him that blessing.

So we, too, need to “stay with” the Holy Spirit, by obeying what we have been given to do, removing all that hinders His influence within us, and standing in the place Christ Jesus won for us in His Victory on the Cross.

Where is the Lord God of Elijah? He is the same, yesterday, and today, and forever.

Hebrews 13:8-9b “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.

Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace;…”

He is ever ready to “give power to the faint, and to them that have not might, He increases strength”. (Isaiah 40:29)

But it is as we “stay with”, yield to, and obey the Holy Spirit within.

Let us

Hebrews 10:24 “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works:”

“Provoke” here, means to stir up…..to incite…to nudge someone….to come along….into the things God has for us.

All through the book of Hebrews….and I think this is wonderful….the writer says, “let us”….

It is not: you guys need to do this, or that……but “let us”.

(“Let” is an interesting word…..I did a message once on how many “Let” there were in the Bible….a lot, beginning when God, by Christ, speaks……”Let there be light” Genesis 1:3….

…..to the end of the Bible, when God by His Spirit says…..”And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

When God says “Let”,….it is a beseeching imperative….

As God, when He speaks, He commands obedience.(Period)

He is not asking our approval.

But,….”let” is also beseeching us to yield, to go along with Him, to submit to His plan for us….and be blessed.

When we say “let us”…..we are acknowledging that we, as well as those we are speaking to….need to keep these truths before us.)

The first “let us” is….

Hebrews 4:1, 11 “Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.

Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.”

Simply, we should be “afraid” of losing out on a promise that God wants to give us…..

…..like the Israelites did when they refused to go into Canaan the first time.(Numbers 14:28-31).

That whole generation lost the Promised Land…..their part in it….because of unbelief….

….and we, too, should “fear”…be afraid of losing those promises God has given us in His Word….

….and that usually means a battle with our unbelief.

The term “let us” suggests that we, as Christians, have one goal….to follow on till the end.

The writer does not say he has been made so spiritual, that he does not need to be encouraged to “hold fast”….but he includes himself in all of these exhortations…..he is saying, so “let us”.

Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

This is a promise we may all have…..Let us….come boldly….not in fear that our prayer will not be heard…..but boldly, because we have access to His throne, as His beloved children.

We can come into His presence any….and all times, for our needs…..some we do not even know….till that moment….but at that moment we may come.

Romans 5:1-2 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

By Whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

Hebrews 6:1 “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God.”

“Let us go on unto perfection”. We have begun in Christ….by the gospel preached to us….

….let us go on….not going back to “wallow” around in those dead works you did when you were lost…..but yielding to the faith that you have….take a onward step into….

“…those things that accompany salvation…” (Hebrews 6:9), which are the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)….

….and the promises of God to us (“…those exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers…” of God’s character….escaping the world’s corruption. 2 Peter 1:4-8)

Hebrews 10:22-24 “Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised;)

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:”

How hard it is, sometimes, to persevere till the end! That is what we are being reminded of here…..”hang on, God is with us”.

The writer is stressing the only means of doing this:…..drawing near with our hearts to God in faith,…

…and holding fast to the gospel of God….”For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;…” Romans 1:16.

Our salvation encompasses being saved from the love of sin, guilt of sin, the power of sin, and one day the presence of sin. God’s salvation is complete and powerful,….let us draw near Him.

Then he exhorts that we should help others hang on, by encouraging others to love the Lord, and do good to others.

(I had the Lord show me, once, a lot of batteries….all connected together, so they were putting out a steady power.

When one battery in the connection started to grow weak….although there were lots of other batteries there,…..they all started to grow weak….for the one battery started to draw off from the others.

The Lord said, we are like this….either keeping each other strong….or drawing off from each other.)

Hebrews 12:1, 28-29 “Wherefore, seeing we are also compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

For our God is a consuming fire.”

Now the writer points down the road….to the place where we will be in heaven….the end of the race, and asks….

….can you see all the saints of the Old Testament….and the New Testament, that have gone before us….

….they are standing in their places….in heaven.

They stood here with the Lord God,….and now they are waiting for us to complete the race set before us….to finish our work, which is a part of the Great Purpose of God.

Scared? Afflicted?….then remember Who we serve:

We serve a King….Who has taken us into His kingdom…..a kingdom which can not….and will not be moved….no matter what enemies come against it.

And our God…..our King is a consuming fire…..

….fire that will purify for Himself a people without spot or wrinkle….He will see to us….whatever the fear, trouble, or sickness….if we will….

….”let us have grace”.

You must use the grace given….by the Holy Spirit within….use it….you can not spend more than He is willing to give….use it….like you were a citizen of the Great King Jesus….for you are.

Hebrews 13:13, 15 “Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach.

By Him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His Name.”

Jesus was crucified outside of the city…”suffered without the gate”. (Hebrews 13:12)

If you read the gospel accounts….the women that follow and ministered to Him with their substance were at the cross…..John was there….Mary, Jesus mother was there (John 19:25-26)….

….some of His disciples came after the three days, to see about an empty tomb……

……but these followed Jesus in His reproach……to the foot of the cross.

Now, another invitation comes to us……”let us” follow Him in this time of His reproach by the world in which we live……wherever we are….how ever it comes against Him now……..we can stand with Him, in it.

1 Peter 4:14 “If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye, for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part He is evil spoken of, but on your part He is glorified.”

And “let us” give thanks to God…..giving thanks to His name, for all that has, and will come to us. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

“Let us” is a call to “come on”…..I will wait and help you….I am a brother or sister in Christ….and what I know, I will share…..and we will all work toward Christ’ goal and purpose, for us.

“Let us go on…”

What will you give in exchange for your soul?

Matthew 16:26 “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

We know this is the summary of Christ’s call to follow Him. (Matthew 16:24-26)

It is a call He gave all…(Luke 9:23-25)

Here, the Lord Jesus puts into perspective the choice we truly make….Him or the world.

If you had everything, and lost your soul, of what value could it be?

Let us speak for a moment of losing our soul: it is not just going to Hell and then the Lake of Fire….although that is the end result.

No. We are in subjection, as mankind,……..to something.

We do not rule our destiny….we can not…..for circumstances, people, times and seasons, and places are all factors we can not rule.

In fact, we can not rule ourselves…..our souls, our personalities.

We can be phony….pretending to like or love things we do not….for “profit” or advantage in the world.

We can “learn” to like things….making ourselves over in the image of someone we want to be like….but we can never be them….but just us—like them.

We can not, at times, subdue our anger, or our affections….both fly away where they want.

But we can, as Jesus Christ said, come and let Him rule in us.

If you refuse this…..as many people mistakenly think this liberty is bondage….then the simple answer is:

You will be ruled by the world, the flesh or the devil.

The world’s thoughts will be yours.

You will always be frustrated, because your way is not being done.

The devil will trick you into real bondage of some sort.

You have lost your soul…..and you are not in Hell, yet.

There is still hope…..you can come to Christ Jesus, and let Him bring you into His kingdom.)

Jesus asked, “Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Many things in this world, say, “Don’t worry about your soul’s well being….after all your young….or after all your intelligent….or after all you go to church.”

Matthew Henry said in his commentary on the Bible: “If your religion is worth anything, It is worth everything.”

Christ says we must lose….to gain Him.

We must “Come”……leave where you are…….and then, “Follow”.

Colossians 1:10-13 “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful unto every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness;

Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son.”

This is what is promised all who come to Christ….who are born again:

Being fruitful…..increasing in the knowledge of God….strengthened with all might….with joyfulness….partakers of the inheritance….delivered from the power of darkness….translated into the kingdom of His dear Son.

It is in the walk we have with Christ….bringing all that we are and have, step by step, and placing it under His control.

By a deliberate act of the will….placing all things at His disposal.

Here, Lord is my anger….I am mad and feeling it worsen….But it not just the anger….it is my resentment toward these people,…..my frustration at the lack of appreciation,….my frustration to You, even.

(By this time, when I pray, I am usually agreeing with the Lord, and giving up the feelings….they are not worth having anything come between me and Jesus.)

Now, Lord, I am sick….I am full of grief….I am weary, so weary….

What ever it is, it is….

…..and must be dealt with by bringing it all….Yes, bringing it all to Christ….to be delivered from this darkness….and no longer under the influence of the Adversary……into Light.

As Christians, we have the ability to bring ourselves into subjection, by the Holy Spirit’s power within us….by our deliberate act of our will.

(I remember talking to a man who was having some difficulties,….and he said:

“I just need more of God in my life.”

Now, I thought that sounded good….and praying for him, the Lord said to me, “What that man needs is a whole lot less of himself.”

God showed me, that He was there for that man….and His power was there for that man….but the man was not letting Him rule……

….pray for that.

And how many times the Lord has reminded me about this….for myself.)

Matthew 16:26 “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”

Jesus tells all who will follow Him…..it will be the world….or Me.

Which will it be?

Forgive me, O Lord, and Restore a Right Spirit within Me.

In Psalm 51, David pours out his heart to God for forgiveness.

He had sinned terribly, by adultery; and then, the fixed murder of the woman’s husband.

Worse, he had refused to seek forgiveness for it, trying to hide it; until God sent someone to show him that God knew, and was very displeased.

Sin is rebellion against God. It is seeking my will over His Will; seeking to have me as ruler of my life, even in just this one thing.

This is what happened to David. It started innocently enough. He had been home from the war with the Ammonites.

And he wanted to stay home; to have a little more rest and relaxation than God wanted. It was the time for kings to go out to war, and he should have been at the head of his army.

2 Samuel 11:1 “And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.”

But instead, he stayed in Jerusalem, and “took time off”. He was sleeping all day, and got up; and went on top of the roof of his house, when he saw Bathsheba.

If he had been at the battle, all the other things would not have happened.

He first lusted after a little more rest. (Was his army “resting”? Did he think because he was king, he could skip his duty?)

Then he lusted after a woman. And when lust was conceived: sin.

Instead of setting it right, he continued in it for months; for Bathsheba told him she was “with child”.

Then, came the choice of a lifetime. David comes up with the plan to dupe her husband into thinking the child was his.

This did not work, so he plans it, that the husband would be killed by the enemy.

2 Samuel 11:15 “And he wrote in the letter, saying, Set ye Uriah in the forefront of the hottest battle, and retire ye from him, that he may be smitten, and die.”

David, even now was not repentant.

You wonder how a man so close to God, could be so overcome with sin!

But, the truth is, we underestimate the power sin has on our life. It’s power grows as we refuse to deal with it.

Had David stopped, and sought forgiveness after the first sin with Bathsheba; God’s power would have easily overcome the power of the lust; and saved him from continuing on to deceit, and murder. (2 Samuel 12:9)

He went on, till God had to send someone to him. First the rebuke, then the chastening.

David was forgiven; but suffered by illness, and rebellion in his children because of his sin.

He was not paying for his sins; but reaping what he had sown.

Galatians 6:7 “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

Though David sinned terribly, yet he repented greatly. True repentance comes, as we come to God,……without merit of any kind from ourselves, to get an answer from God, Himself.

Not to just be satisfied with the seeking of forgiveness; but the word of forgiveness from God, personally,…..and the cleansing of the heart and conscience.

Psalm 51:1-2 “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.”

David calls upon God for mercy.

Mercy presupposes sin. And David had sinned. And he knew it. He had known within his heart for months, and he had known it by the word of the Lord through His servant.

The rebuke brought about the right results. He sought for spiritual mercy.

It is the benevolence and kindness of God to a sinner, who seeks forgiveness, and salvation from their sins.

In God’s mercy, was his only hope, and so David’s faith reached out to that character of God, and cries for God’s mercy.

It is only in God himself that the wiping away of sin could be found. (For the promise of the coming Messiah, who would bring victory over sin, and sin’s consequences, was known. And all who trusted in God, looked forward to Him.)

David could do nothing. There was no sacrifice for the sin he had committed, “else he would give it”

Psalm 51:16 “For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offerings.”

The mercy he asks of God was “according to his loving kindness”; according to the character of God.

He did not know whether God would hear his cry; for David had turned a deaf ear to God.

He wasn’t asking because he had earned it,…..even with the repentance.

He was asking God to do according as His character was.

And David spoke plainly concerning his sin.

“Blot out my transgressions”, or “revoltings”. These acts he had committed were not “slips”, or just defective obedience. No, they were acts of rebellion against God.

David had revolted against God’s rule in his life, and wanted to do his own will.

His actions were great perversity; the twisting of God’s grace into sin.

God had given David the kingdom, and great help in all that he had done; and with God looking on, David had misused the grace, and despised His goodness.

What would God do with him?

He wanted forgiveness; he would not be able to come before God without it; but he wanted complete removal of all this defilement within.

To be throughly washed from his the mass of his filthiness, and iniquity!

Here is a way we can all test ourselves and “our repentance”.

Are we content if we just ask for forgiveness, and not to seek cleansing?

1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

It is forgiveness and cleansing.

God had sent a man to rebuke him. This was a great grace, not to let him continue in his rebellion.

God had made David willing to confess, so he asks God to finish the work of grace within him. To forgive and cleanse him.

Psalm 51:9-10 “Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.”

God’s “hiding” His face from our sins, is putting them away. (Psalm 103:12)

So David prays for a new life.

“Create in me a clean heart” cries out for a new heart within him. David realizes that he will revolt again, if God does not give him clean affections. And God needs to create them within him.

Give me a submissive heart, and make me steadfast to You.

Psalm 51:11-12 “Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me.

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and up hold me with thy free spirit.”

Do not leave me to my own way.

Do not throw me away; or take away Your Holy Spirit from me.

David had know the joy of God in His life, and he prayed that it would be restored.

And that he would be kept (“lead me not into temptation, and deliver me from evil”, as the Lord Jesus taught us to pray. Matthew 6:13) from falling into evil again.

To be free from sin is true freedom indeed.

Sin is the worst bondage.

Though some call it “freedom”; it enslaves, by a constant growing desire for “more, more, more”.

With each step forward, the slave is “unknowingly” sinking.

As quicksand does not suck the victim in immediately, but slowly brings him down, till the mire covers his head in death; so sin does the same.

Only God can free us from sin.

First, He brings us to repentance: a “repentance not to be repented of”.

2 Corinthians 7:10 “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”

Do we want to be free from our sin, or just the consequences of it?

Second, He leads us to Christ.

John 1:12 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:”

Third, He leads us in the desire for true liberty of Spirit, which is the freeing us from the power of sin over us.

2 Corinthians 3:17-18 “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

David’s faith in God, led him to cry to God, for this forgiveness and cleansing.

For he desired to be able to worship, and come near God again.

Is this what we want, as well?

Christ’s Sacrifice is able to cleanse us from all sin.

Will we seek it from Him?

This is the Way….so walk into it.

Isaiah 30:21 “And thine ear shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the Way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, or when ye turn to the left.”

I quote this verse often, for the Lord gave it to me years ago when I was asking concerning His Will for my life.

He was telling me, that He would not let me get “bewildered”, or “lost” along His Way….but would guide me….by His Holy Spirit and His Word….to the right direction.

“Walk ye in it”. To walk sets for the fact of….one step at a time. Our everyday living.

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all thy heart; and lean not to thy own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”

There is in our everyday paths the means of fulfilling of His Purpose for us.

We need seek no special arrangement,…..but just to be found faithful in what we have at hand.

1 Peter 3:15 (Williams Version)

“But in your hearts be consecrated to Christ as Lord, and always be ready to make your defense to anyone who asks a reason for the hope you have. But you must do it in gentleness and reverence.”

This is the Way….and Peter walked right out of prison….

Acts 12:7, 9-10 “And behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.

And he went out, and followed him: and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision.

When they were past the first and second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.”

Peter had been arrested, and put in prison after Herod had killed James. He was asleep when God sent His angel to lead him out…..thinking that soon he would see the Lord Jesus face to face again.

(Peter, by this time had preached at Pentecost…and saw three thousand saved. Acts 2:41

He had healed the lame man, and preached before the counsel, when they commanded them to stop preaching in Jesus’s name….”We ought to obey God rather than men.” Acts 5:29

And he had been sent to Cornelius house….a Roman centurion…to preach the gospel to them….and the Holy Ghost had been given to the Gentiles, as well as to the Jews…….through his preaching. Acts 10:44-45

He had been busy for the Lord….and, laying in the prison cell….he was ready to go to see Him again.)

But God’s Way for James was to be martyred,…..to show the devotion to Christ, in front of the people…

…while God’s Way for Peter was something more,….here on earth….for some time to come…

….so He brought Peter out of prison….for His Way.

This is the Way…

…..and Paul and Silas walked right into a prison.

Paul had wanted to go into Asia to preach the gospel….but was “forbidden of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 16:6).

Then they thought to go into Bithynia (the upper part of Turkey)….but “the Spirit suffered them not.”

Then Paul had a vision in the night of a Macedonian saying, “Come over and help us”

So they immediately went to Phillippi, one of the chief cities of Macedonia….and a Roman colony.

At first, in the city, they were encouraged by Lydia being converted with some of her friends.

She invited them to come into her home and have that for a base while they were in the city.

But….as they continued in the city….a girl possessed with a spirit of divination kept following them, day after day….when they went anywhere…..saying, “These are the men of the Most High God….which show unto us the way of salvation.”

Paul being grieved…..knowing this was not the Way the gospel was to be given out….turned and said, “I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.”

She was free of this terrible spirit!

But her master’s were furious.

So now,….they were brought before the magistrates, and accused of “troubling our city”…..commanded to be beaten (“they laid many stripes upon them”)……and…they were thrown into the inner prison, in stocks (which meant they would have been bent, with their feet and hands in the wooden stocks).

Acts 16:25 “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.”

Paul and Silas prayed,….and I think some of their first prayers were to see if they had done the Lord’s Will….or had over-stepped themselves. (Remember Paul had been grieved by it….was it right to deal with this situation, as he had?)

And when they heard that it was His Will….it was for the greater glory of God……then praise came from their hearts,….and into song.

It was from the Holy Spirit….for after the beating they had….and in the position they were sitting….it was not of their own strength…….He would have had to empower them.

That is victory….in the Way….but there is more…..for God’s Way often leads us to the people that need us to tell them of Christ Jesus….and often it is not as we think.

(Are we ready for it, when the opportunity comes?)

Acts 16:26 “And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that that the foundation of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every man’s bands were loosed.”

Hallelujah! This must mean we are to go!

But Paul and Silas were checked in the spirit….they stayed….and God put a check on all the prisoners.

The guard waking up, was going to take his own life….thinking he was to blame for the prisoners escaping….he should not have been asleep…

….but Paul was listening hard to God…and cried out…

Acts 16:28 “And Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.”

Paul saves the guard’s life……and the guard comes in to see if this is true…..and then….is amazed at these men…..they must know some God, to leave themselves in His hands still.

And Paul leads him and his family, to the Lord.

Acts 16:29-33 “Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling and fell down before Paul and Silas.

And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

And they spake unto him the Word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.”

Paul and Silas were released the next day….

Acts 16:40 “And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.”

God has a Way for each of us…..it is not the same….except in the fact that He will guide and be with us……every step of it.

Will we hear Him….and so walk right into it?