DIGGING FOR VICTORY

Have you ever made a decision, thinking this was a great course of action, only to find difficulties and problems later on? Perhaps you may even blame God for the situation, when you failed to ask His direction in the first place. This is exactly what happened to the three kings of Israel, Judah and Edom. (2 Kings 3)

King Jehoram (Israel) persuades King Jehoshaphat (Judah) and the King of Edom to fight against the King of Moab over the latter’s refusal to honour an agreement (3:1 – 8).

The three kings travel by a roundabout route through the wilderness of Edom that took seven days, by which time they had run out of water (3:9). Jehoram then blames their predicament on God (3:10).

Jehoshaphat recognizes that what they need now was a word from the Lord, and they take time out to seek out Elisha. (3:11 – 14). In the context of worship, the Lord gives Elisha a word for the three kings (3:15).

Elisha calls for the three combined armies to make the valley full of ditches, and without wind or rain, the valley will be filled with water, “for it is a simple matter in the Lord’s sight” to provide the necessary water (3:16 – 18). The armies respond as prophesied by Elisha; the men and animals have sufficient to drink; and God causes the three armies to win over Moab, after having gone through the valley.

Perhaps you can identify with the three armies. In your own strength, you may have pursued a particular direction only to find yourself wearied and exhausted, like forever travelling on a roundabout, without knowing which is the best direction now to take. What should we do in such a situation?

1)    Acknowledge the sin of going our own way, (and maybe even in blaming God) see Acts 3:19.

2)    Take time out to seek the Lord for who He is, and delight in Him (Psalm 37:23, 24)

3)    Ask the Lord for spiritual refreshment, and His re-direction (Psalm 23:2, 3)

4)    God’s purposes for us may be time-consuming (like digging ditches), but they will always lead to provision and ultimate victory.

The good news is that our provision from the Lord is “a simple matter in the Lord’s sight”, so we do not need to fret and worry, even if we have wilfully made our own poor decisions. We just need to seek Him, and like Elisha, He is not far away.

You gave abundant showers, O God; you refreshed your weary inheritance. Your people settled in it, and from your bounty, God, you provided for the poor. (Psalm 68:9, 10)