READING: 2 Kings 1-3, Luke 24:1-35
“He struck the waters himself, and they parted to the right and the left, and Elisha crossed over.”
2 Kings 2:14
Sometimes we miss seeing the blessings of God simply because we aren’t looking for them. We get busy, and life gets complicated. So much “life stuff” rattles around in our head that we fail to see the way God has taken care of us. As I read today’s text, I’m reminded of that truth in my life. Particularly, I don’t always think about how God has consistently taken care of me over the years; I don’t always see His repeated evidences of providential care.
Twice, though, I see that pattern in today's texts. First, I am struck by the number of times that God worked through His leaders by supernaturally dividing waters. He did it for Moses and the Hebrews at the Red Sea (Exo. 14). He did the same for Joshua and the people at the Jordan River when they finally entered the Promised Land (Josh. 3). Elijah and Elisha also walked across on the dry bed of the Jordan River just before chariots of fire took Elijah into heaven (1 Kings 1:8). And, then, in a powerful display to show that God had placed on Elisha the same power, He divided the Jordan again so Elisha could walk across (2 Kings 2:14). The God of the Hebrews – our God – is an incredibly loving, gracious, and potent God who makes Himself known to us as He consistently provides for us and guides us.
Next, I see a similar pattern in the Gospels. Jesus walked with confused disciples on the road to Emmaus, and He taught them how all the scriptures point to Him. They invited Him to their home for a meal, and He “took the bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them” (Luke 24:30). It was there that the disciples recognized who He was and began to realize how much His teaching on the road had lit a fire in their heart. They, of course, had been with Him when He did a similar thing in the past. He broke and blessed the meal when He fed the 5000 (Luke 9:10-17). He followed a similar pattern when He fed the 4000 (Mark 8:1-10). Then, He did the same when He offered the disciples the Last Supper (Luke 22:14-20). And now, He had fed them again in Emmaus. The disciples having heard Him and watched Him break bread several times before, it’s no wonder those eating a meal with Him recognized Him during that act.
Here’s what I wonder: how often have I struggled in trusting God, failing to remember how many times prior He has always taken care of me? He has provided so many times and in so many ways that you’d think I would never struggle with faith. His pattern is that He always comes through, always keeps His Word, and never leaves us or forsakes us. He is worthy of our trust.
ACTION STEPS:
- Think about the number of times God has come through for you. Meditate on His goodness.
- Take a risk for God today, trusting Him to keep His Word.
PRAYER: “Father, thank You for loving me enough to keep teaching me.”
TOMORROW’S READING: 2 Kings 4-6, Luke 24:36-53
