05/08/17 A Holy Man of God

READING: 2 Kings 4-6, Luke 24:36-53

“I know that the one who often passes by here is a holy man of God.”

2 Kings 4:9

I wonder what people think of me when they first meet me. Then, I wonder what they think after they get to know me a while. Further, I wonder what they think when they know me deeply. I wonder if there is any discrepancy in the three.

What I want them to believe and trust is what the Shunammite woman said to her husband about Elisha: “I know that the one who often passes by here is a holy man of God” (2 Kings 4:9). She apparently saw something in the way he lived that convinced her that Elisha walked with God. He stopped at her house to eat whenever he was in the region, so perhaps it was in his speech that she recognized his holiness. Maybe it was in his kindness. Perhaps it was a servant’s heart that caught her attention. Whatever it was, she believed in his character enough to say to her husband, “Let’s make a small room upstairs and put a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp there for him. Whenever he comes, he can stay there” (2 Kings 4:10). Typically, you don’t invite just anybody to stay in your home regularly; you invite those folks you trust.

And, it is in the daily living together that your walk with God most gets tested. Yes, it happens when you meet, even if only for a few minutes. All of us can in a few minutes act in such a way that we deny our Christianity. It happens even more so when people get to know you better. They have more opportunity to watch your life, and you have more opportunity to mess up. But, it’s when you’re staying with someone that your testimony can be most tried. Somewhere in the midst of stressful, busy days, especially when our bodies are tired and our spirit is exhausted, it’s easy to let our guard down. It’s easy to let our real self come out. Those who know us best are most qualified to determine our holiness. 

That’s why I ask the three questions that began this devotion. I desire for others to see me as a holy man, whether they just met me, have known me a bit more, or live in my house and watch me 24 hours a day. I want to be the same man regardless of the situation – a man who honors God. I trust that you want the same for your life.

ACTION STEPS:

  • Spend time today confessing any area of your life that does not reflect holiness.
  • Choose to be holy in your responses to whatever you face today.

PRAYER: “Father, make me holy.”

TOMORROW’S READING: 2 Kings 7-9, John 1:1-28

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