The Watford Church of Christ Podcast
We are on a journey to that future life exploring the incredible plans God has for us on earth to love Him and to love others. Join us on this journey!
Listen on:
Episodes
Saturday Jan 20, 2024
Saturday Jan 20, 2024
Quiet Time Coaching Episode 465 | New Thing Series — Part 20 | “Abraham’s sacrifice - Part 2” | Malcolm Cox
Introduction
A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'
We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of Abraham. Today we continue to explore Abraham’s sacrifice.
“When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.
But the angel of the LORD called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!”
“Here I am,” he replied.
“Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”
Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide. And to this day it is said, “On the mountain of the LORD it will be provided.”
The angel of the LORD called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, “I swear by myself, declares the LORD, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”” (Genesis 22:9-18 NIV11)
Abraham learns a lesson
God never intended for Abraham to sacrifice his son. “God was never going to allow Abraham to kill his son. The command and following episode were not intended to culminate in a murder, but in a repudiation of human sacrifice. In dramatic fashion, God deafeningly proclaims "No!—I do not want this, I will not accept this, this is wrong!" To put it another way, "Abraham, I want you to sacrifice your son—not!" Douglas Jacoby
Abraham learns that human sacrifice is not permitted.
Abraham learns that holding nothing back from God leads to blessings
Abraham learns what it means to love God more than anything else in this world
For Reflection
Abraham is a great man of faith. “Abraham’s agonizing walk into the mountains was therefore the final stage of a long journey in which God was turning him from an average man into one of the greatest figures in history.” Counterfeit Gods by Timothy Keller. God works the same way today. Our spiritual ‘greatness’ is developed through God continuing to call us into new things. We will never know our potential to be a blessing to others — “all nations on earth will be blessed” — if we resist God’s call on us to do new, painful things!
Conclusion
I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless.
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.
"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Friday Jan 19, 2024
Friday Jan 19, 2024
Quiet Time Coaching Episode 464 | New Thing Series — Part 19 | “Abraham’s sacrifice - Part 1” | Malcolm Cox
Introduction
A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'
We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of Abraham. Today and tomorrow we explore Abraham’s sacrifice.
“Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, “Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied.
Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, whom you love—Isaac—and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you.”
Early the next morning Abraham got up and loaded his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you.”
Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”
Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.” (Genesis 22:1-8 NIV11)
Abraham trusts God to provide
Abraham is called to make the ultimate, and unreasonable, sacrifice.
God acknowledges how hard it is for Abraham, “your son, your only son, whom you love”
Abraham is swift to obey, and trusting regarding the outcome — “God himself will provide…”
Abraham understands the purpose of the command, “We will worship…”
For Reflection
Worship is sacrifice and sacrifice is worship. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1 NIV11). To do a new thing is to offer a new sacrifice. Is there a sacrifice necessary in order for God to do a new thing in your life or your group?
Conclusion
I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless.
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.
"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Thursday Jan 18, 2024
Thursday Jan 18, 2024
Quiet Time Coaching Episode 463 | New Thing Series — Part 18 | “Abraham’s circumcision” | Malcolm Cox
Introduction
A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'
We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of Abraham. Today we explore Abraham’s circumcision.
God promises nations, kings and the land of Canaan to Abraham. But, most significantly, he offers him an everlasting covenant. The price? Circumcision.
“When he had finished speaking with Abraham, God went up from him. On that very day Abraham took his son Ishmael and all those born in his household or bought with his money, every male in his household, and circumcised them, as God told him. Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised, and his son Ishmael was thirteen; Abraham and his son Ishmael were both circumcised on that very day. And every male in Abraham’s household, including those born in his household or bought from a foreigner, was circumcised with him.” (Genesis 17:22-27 NIV11)
Abraham takes God at his word
Abraham was 99 years old when he was circumcised. Healing takes longer at that age.
He persuaded all the other people in his ‘household’ to be circumcised. That’s a lot of men. In Genesis 14:14 he had 318 trained men born in his household. How many did he have by the times we get to Genesis 17? Then add on all the non-trained men and boys. Whoever did the circumcising was busy that day!
God’s command to do the ‘new thing’ of circumcision was unpleasant, embarrassing, painful, time-consuming.
For Reflection
Circumcision was not necessarily a new concept to Abraham. “…circumcision was a widespread custom in the ancient world, [but] the richness of its theological meaning in the Pentateuch (and beyond) invested the Israelite practice with a significance that distinguished it entirely from contemporary rites in the ancient world.” IVP Dictionary of the Old Testament: Pentateuch. However, even though it was so costly, Abraham took God at his word. Why? Because he understood the significance of what was being promised and who was promising it. Are you in a place where God is calling you to a new thing that has a significant cost? Can you pray to find the confidence that God has your best interests at heart even if the cost is higher than you think you can stand?
Conclusion
I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless.
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.
"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Wednesday Jan 17, 2024
Wednesday Jan 17, 2024
Quiet Time Coaching Episode 462 | New Thing Series — Part 17 | “Abraham’s laughter” | Malcolm Cox
Introduction
A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'
We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of Abraham. Today we explore Abraham’s laughter.
“God also said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you are no longer to call her Sarai; her name will be Sarah. I will bless her and will surely give you a son by her. I will bless her so that she will be the mother of nations; kings of peoples will come from her.”
Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himself, “Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear a child at the age of ninety?””
(Genesis 17:15-17 NIV11)
Why is he laughing? Was it a nervous laugh? Did he think God was joking? Was the laughter derisory? How did God feel about Abraham’s laughter? We will never know the details, but we can be inspired by two things:
God didn’t take it personally
Abraham was obedient despite his scepticism
The numbers do not matter
Abraham was 99 years old
The promises are, on the face of it, ridiculous - nations and kings will come from Abraham
“Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead.” (Romans 4:19 NIV11)
“And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.” (Hebrews 11:12 NIV11)
For Reflection
Abraham struggled to accept God’s promise to of an unprecedented new thing — fathering a son at such an advanced age. Yet, he overcame his scepticism to trust God for something he could barely imagine, let alone see. Sometimes God does a new thing we can see coming. But sometimes he takes us on a bizarre adventure that, at the time, makes no sense. Is there something like that in your life right now? Something so odd, you cannot possibly see how God could bring good out of it? If so, you are in good company — Abraham’s.
Conclusion
I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless.
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.
"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Tuesday Jan 16, 2024
Tuesday Jan 16, 2024
Abraham’s New Thing relationship with God, Thames Valley churches of Christ, January 2024, Genesis 18‘A New Thing’ Series Class 2 — AbrahamIntroduction* When studying Abraham we often focus on the promises, the blessings and the sacrifice of Isaac* This class will focus on the newness within Abraham’s relationship with God* Genesis 18.16-33
1. God Trusts Abraham* He reveals himself* He accepts hospitality* He reveals his plans* He practices ‘vulnerability’* Leads to a ‘partnership’ with Abraham - a new thing * ‘he was no yes-man but a true partner.’ Tyndale* Jesus treats us as ‘friends’: John 15.15* Do you sense God trusts you?* What helps you believe Jesus sees you as his friend?* He made himself vulnerable to draw us to him -Philippians 2:5-8 NRSV* - ’Vulnerability begets vulnerability; courage is contagious.’ Daring Greatly, Brene Brown* * ‘Point of Grace’ song, ‘He believes in you’ — , * The story behind the song: https://youtu.be/fh_tdLFe67k?si=8TxCF76pHKe_fv1l * YouTube version of the song: https://youtu.be/ZA3jPIHnsIc?si=bjgbvRbybPm2orEW * Song lyrics below
2. Abraham Trust God* He trusts God will listen* He trusts he can reason with God - respectfully- Contrast with Job: Job 38:1-5 NIV11* Genesis 18:23-26 NIV11* This is not haggling, but exploring* Parallels with Jesus and the Greek woman Mark 7:26-30 NIV11
ConclusionWhat does Abraham learn?* God cares about people* God wants to include him in his plans* God listens to himWhat do we learn?* The importance of trusting that God wants to hear from us“May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.” (Psalm 141:2 NIV11)* “And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.” (Revelation 5:8 NIV11)
* The value in taking issues to God in prayer and exploring them with him
Questions for reflection and discussion* What does it mean to you to talk to your Heavenly Father like a friend?* What barriers exist to prevent that, and what can you do about it?* What inspires your trust in God that he loves to be with you in your prayers?* What is your main take-away from reflecting on Abraham’s ‘new thing’ relationship with God, and how will you make it part of your relationship with God?
He Believes in YouSong by Point of GraceYou're not hearing the answers you've been praying forYou try and try, can't find an open doorYou're not seeing the miracles not a one in sightAnd the way you feel you sure need one tonight
Your faith is crumbling, your feet are stumblingIt's so hard to believe in HimBut He believes in you when you're at your weakestAnd hope's still burning through the night but you can't see itYou know in your heart He loves youBut in those moments when you can't believe it's trueHe believes in you
Chin deep in the water you tried walking onAnd you reach for Him and you think He's goneHe's still there beside you with His stubborn loveNo, He never left and He won't give upHe will protect you until you're rescuedOh, there's nothing that He can't do
'Cause He believes in you when you're at your weakestAnd hope's still burning through the night but you can't see itYou know in your heart He loves youBut in those moments when you can't believe it's trueHe believes in you
You know in your heart He loves youBut at those moments when you can't believe it's trueHe believes in youHe believes in you, He believes in you
He believes, He believes, He believes in youHe believes, He believes, He believes in youHe believes, He believes, He believes in youHe believes, He believes, He believes in youHe believes, He believes, He believes in youHe believes, He believes, He believes in youHe believes, He believes, He believes in youHe believes, He believes, He believes in youHe believes, He believes, He believes in youHe believes, He believes, He believes in you
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [malcolm@malcolmcox.org](mailto:malcolm@malcolmcox.org).
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://[www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org/).
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.
God bless, Malcolm
Tuesday Jan 16, 2024
Tuesday Jan 16, 2024
Quiet Time Coaching Episode 461 | New Thing Series — Part 16 | “Abraham’s Blessings” | Malcolm Cox
Introduction
A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'
We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the life of Abraham. Today we explore Abraham’s blessings.
“The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.
“I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”” (Genesis 12:1-3 NIV11)
The words ‘bless’ and ‘blessing’ come up repeatedly here. I doubt Abraham was in any doubt about God’s desire to bless him and others through him.
Abraham’s Blessings Carry a Cost
God promises him a nation, a name and an impact. But, doesn't he already have all of those?
He has a nation, he has a people and he has a household where his name is known.
Yet, God’s vision is bigger. How will Abraham discover that vision? By willingly incurring a cost.
He is called to leave. To leave his country, people and extended family. Was this easy?
While we do not know how he felt, it is hard to imagine it was easy. He was stepping away from the familiar and into the unknown.
“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.” (Hebrews 11:8 NIV11)
For Reflection
Abraham accepted God’s call to a new thing. It involved leaving the comfortable and familiar. Why was he able to do this? The writer to the Hebrews puts it all down to Abraham’s confidence in God. What is the state of your confidence in God? Has anything knocked it off balance? Perhaps it is worth remembering promises like this one:
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” (1 John 5:14 NIV11)
Conclusion
I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless.
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.
"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Monday Jan 15, 2024
Monday Jan 15, 2024
Quiet Time Coaching Episode 460 | New Thing Series — Part 15 | “Elisha’s Faith” | Malcolm Cox
Introduction
A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'
We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the lives of Elijah and Elisha. Today we explore Elisha’s faith.
“Elisha then picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. He took the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and struck the water with it. “Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.
The company of the prophets from Jericho, who were watching, said, “The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha.” And they went to meet him and bowed to the ground before him.” (2 Kings 2:13-15 NIV11)
Elisha’s faith is tested by grief
Can you imagine how Elijah felt seeing his father in the faith leave him behind?
We get some sense of his anguish by the way that he cries out ““My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!”” 2 Kings 2:12.
Our faith is tested by our losses in life. Have you had a loss recently? How is that affecting your faith in God?
How does Elisha respond to his grief?
Elisha’s faith is immediately active
Picture in your mind Elisha standing on the edge of Jordan, remembering the very recent experience of Elijah parting the waters. Did the cloak quiver in his hand? Was his mouth dry before he spoke?
Elisha had once had that mantle symbolically laid on his shoulders (1 Kings 19:19); now it would rest there permanently.
However he was feeling, he struck the water and called out to the Lord. How did God respond?
God rewarded his faith by repeating the miracle performed by Elijah.
For Reflection
It took faithful courage for Elisha to pick up Elijah's cloak. It took even more courage to strike the water, and further courage to call out to the Lord for vindication. Was there a temptation to put off such an action until tomorrow? Shouldn't there be a time of morning in honour of Elijah first? You see, Elisha understood Elijah's spirit. He had spent enough time with his mentor to know that Elijah would want Elisha to act immediately in faith. Acting in faith does not get easier because we postpone a decision. Have you been putting off an act of faith? Why not determine that, after praying about it today, you will take action?
Conclusion
I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless.
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.
"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Sunday Jan 14, 2024
Sunday Jan 14, 2024
Quiet Time Coaching Episode 459 | New Thing Series — Part 14 | “Elisha’s Experience” | Malcolm Cox
Introduction
A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'
We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the lives of Elijah and Elisha. Today we explore Elisha’s experience.
“As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two.” 2 Kings 2:11-15
Why did God take Elijah up into heaven in a whirlwind? Why did He honour this great prophet in such a way as to escape death? Why did He not let Elijah go through the normal, common, natural passage of death?
Elijah is a model of faithfulness to the end
To be sure, he had his ups and downs. He struggled with fear, anxiety, and perhaps depression.
But, he was a very human model of zeal, humility and openness to God's will for his life.
Elijah is a model of the reward that awaits the faithful
This demonstration of the liminal proximity of the earthly and heavenly remind us that our eternal reward is not distant, but close.
“It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ,” (Titus 2:12-13 NIV11)
Elijah is a type of the Christ
“After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”” (Acts 1:9-11 NIV11)
Jesus move from the earthly to the heavenly without any break in his relationship with God. We will experience something similar.
For Reflection
Sometimes Christians can be too humble to rejoice in their reward. Perhaps it feels too mercenary to contemplate the benefits that come to us in the next life. However, this would be a mistake. Instead, why not take some time today to thank God in advance for your eternal reward. Take some time to imagine what it would be like. It is very real, very certain, and waiting for you.
Conclusion
I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless.
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.
"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Saturday Jan 13, 2024
Saturday Jan 13, 2024
Quiet Time Coaching Episode 458 | New Thing Series — Part 13 | “Elisha’s Request” | Malcolm Cox
Introduction
A new thing! I'm Malcolm Cox. Welcome to your daily devotional podcast anchored in Isaiah 43:19: 'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.'
We are currently looking at God doing a new thing in the lives of Elijah and Elisha. Today we explore Elisha’s request.
“When they had crossed, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me, what can I do for you before I am taken from you?” “Let me inherit a double portion of your spirit,” Elisha replied. “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah said, “yet if you see me when I am taken from you, it will be yours—otherwise, it will not.”
As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha saw this and cried out, “My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!” And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold of his garment and tore it in two.
Elisha then picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. He took the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and struck the water with it. “Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.
The company of the prophets from Jericho, who were watching, said, “The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha.” And they went to meet him and bowed to the ground before him.” (2 Kings 2:9-15 NIV11)
Elisha request was difficult and conditional
A difficult request - “you have asked a difficult thing…”Elijah was not in a position to grant the request. Only God could do that.
““It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” “ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”” (Mark 9:22-23 NIV11)
TJ spoke of praying ‘impossible’ prayers
A conditional request — “If you see me when…”“But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.” (James 1:6-7 NIV11)
Elisha took Elijah seriously and that is what enabled to God to answer his request.
For Reflection
It is hard to be certain of what Elisha was asking for. However, it seems to be something connected to a desire to continue Elijah’s work with an even greater demonstration of the power of God. It might be connected with the oldest son inheriting double the amount of the next son (Deuteronomy 21:17). Interestingly Elisha appears to have performed roughly double the number of miracles recorded as performed by Elijah.
Seeing our prayers answered often means asking for the difficult and conditional. The impossible prayers we pray tell us something about the vitality of our faith. And the conditional element is important because we must remember that God alone knows the right time, place and manner for our prayers to be answered.
Motives in prayer matter. James warns “When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.” (James 4:3 NIV11)
Conclusion
I hope you find your heart, your life, your congregation and your world inspired by God doing a new thing. Until tomorrow, take care, and God bless.
Please add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community.
Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.
If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://www.malcolmcox.org.
Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review.
"Carpe Diem" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Friday Jan 12, 2024
Friday Jan 12, 2024
At the beginning of the year Osagie brought us a lesson encouraging us to think faithfully about God doing new things.