READ: 2
KINGS 2:15-25
Many dear
children of God often wonder why those who once demonstrated the power of God
are now dead spiritually. Here is my answer: the devil is not looking for
nonentities, spiritually speaking. He is looking for star-studded Generals. On
Mount Carmel, Elijah called fire down from Heaven. He came against more than
eight hundred prophets of Baal and killed all of them. He made rain to fall
after three and half years of drought. Elijah became happy and relaxed. As he
did this, the devil began to plan his own battle, to revenge the killing of his
prophets. The devil raised his servant Jezebel, to come after Elijah. Elijah
ran away when Jezebel, overwhelmed by the spirit of Satan, confronted him.
There is a slight difference between Elijah and us. Spirit-filled Christians
would not run away. The Bible tells us that the One dwelling in us is greater
than the one dwelling in the world (1 John 4:4). Also, the interesting part is
that we are already overcomers, even before starting the battle. We are already
more than conquerors (Romans 8:37). However, we should be told that we are
constantly on the battlefield so that Satan would not use any trick on us as he
did to Samson. We have another example in Elisha. Elisha asked for the double
portion of the power of Elijah. Elisha received the power quite all right. On
his way back, Elisha got to river Jordan and crossed it with the new anointing.
Elisha became happy after this victory. He was happy that the sons of the
prophets respected him. The sons of the prophets told him their problems about
the water in the city. It was cursed water. Elisha healed the water. This
second victory was too much for Satan to allow. He thus decided to confront
Elisha. 2 Kings 2:23-24: “And he went up from there to Bethel; and as
he was going up the road, some youths came from the city and mocked him, and
said to him, Go up, you baldhead! Go up,
you baldhead! So he turned around and looked at them, and pronounced a curse on
them in the name of the LORD. And two female bears came out of the woods and
mauled forty-two of the youths.” The devil got into these children to
abuse Elisha. We often wonder why someone who had just received power of God
would decide to kill little children. Elisha knew that it was the devil
speaking through these children; so he cursed them. The children were willing captives
of Satan. However, it is crystal clear that the devil was at work. Be careful
during moments of victory and joy. The devil usually comes up with virulent
attacks at such moments. Watch and pray.
MEMORIZE:
1 JOHN 4:4 –You are God, little children, and have overcome them, because He
who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
