2 Kings 13:18-19 Then he said, “Take the arrows,” and the king took them. Elisha told him, “Strike the ground.” He struck it three times and stopped. The man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck the ground five or six times; then you would have defeated Aram and completely destroyed it. But now you will defeat it only three times.”
How do you know what God expects of you? The prophet said, “Strike the ground.” So, Jehoash struck the ground. And not just once, but three times. But that wasn’t enough! How did he know that he should have kept striking the ground more than he did? To properly understand this passage, it’s important to see that this was really a test of faith. Did Jehoash believe that God would give Israel the victory? Jehoash obeyed but his heart wasn’t in it. Whether out of doubt, or fear, or pride, or whatever reason, he just went through the motions without really having a zeal for it. As a result, Israel didn’t get the complete victory that God had for them. It’s not about the number of strikes. That’s man creating a law that God wasn’t asking for. I’m too often worried about the number, am I doing it right? It’s not about the number, it’s about a faith in God that moves you to action, to reckless abandon for God because He loves you so much. It’s that love overflowing into every aspect of our lives.
What is God asking you to do today? Are you all in? Are you giving it your very best? Are you letting a heart overflowing with His love pour out onto the world around you? Or is something holding you back? Has God asked you to get involved in a ministry or start something for Him? Have you taken on that task with a zeal for the Lord? Or are you still stuck asking yourself questions that you already know the answers to? God has a victory for you today. Go for it!
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters – Colossians 3:23
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