Our Faithfulness Will be Tested

If only our test of faithfulness would be preceded by a loud warning buzzer and a bright flashing neon sign, we'd always be faithful. But our faithfulness is tested when we least expect it, just as it was for King Josash in 2 Kings 13.

Elisha was on his deathbed when the king came to him weeping. Would Israel still be victorious with the prophet gone? Elisha wanted to assure the king of Israel that he could still win victories with the Lord's help. Together they shot an arrow out the window. "You will completely destroy the Arameans at Aphek," promised Elisha.

Elisha had offered the king a promise, but the king had to claim it through an act of his own. Elisha asked the king to take some arrows and strike the ground. Just how zealous was the king? Was it a do-or-die situation? The king half-heartedly struck the ground three times and stopped. Elisha was angry.

"You should have struck the ground five or six times; then you would have completely destroyed Aram." The king's lack of zeal revealed to Elisha his lack of faith.

Perhaps we are too much like the king. We fail to strike out unbelief because of a nonchalant, "Oh, it really doesn't matter if I skip devotions today," or "It makes no difference if I stop praying for that friend." But it may matter more than we know. Faithfulness is often our way to show God our determination. We demonstrate our faith by regularly calling to God even when prayer seems to be a waster of time. Faith is a gift of God and He gives it to the faithful.

Thank You, Jesus for noticing every time we call to You even when it seems we prayed more out of routine than inspiration.

"For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him" (2 Chronicles 16:9).