Feb 02

Think of it: a woman's whole relationship
with God may quite possibly have
depended upon whether or not Elisha
was willing to humble himself and obey
God in private, where no one else could
see God's mighty power at work in him
except those involved. 2 Kings 4:30
implies this, as do other hints in the story.

How about you? Are you willing to
humble yourself and do the work God
has put forth into your life with no fanfare,
and while no one else is watching, so
that you get no glory and God gets all
the glory?

After Elisha humbled himself and
allowed God to use him to restore a
child to life--at the cost to Elisha of
intimate contact with a dead body--
he had the honor and thrill of presenting
that child back to the mother. Imagine
the joy of that! And what was her
response? She "fell at his feet and
bowed to the ground" (2 Kings 4:37).

This is not worship of Elisha, for he
was a man of God and would not have
permitted worship of himself. The mother
was simply showing deep respect for
Elisha and his God and hers. Elisha
had lowered himself to minister to the
boy; now the mother was lowering
herself to the ground as an outward
sign of an inner attitude. It is as low
as one can go outwardly to show the
depth of love within.

In my private time with the Lord, I
sometimes sprawl myself upon the
floor because it gives me an opportunity
to show my utter submission to him in
love and awe. If you have never done
this yourself, I urge you to try it and
see the difference it makes in your
private worship of the Lord.


Scripture for today: Philippians 2:5-8
Thought for today: I cannot truly serve
others until I humble myself in Christ.
Prayer for today: Thank you, Jesus,
for humbling yourself and giving up the
glories of heaven so that I could one
day share those same glories with you.

FEB 02