Divine Interruptions
Bible in a Year: Exodus 1-3; Matthew 14:1-21
A well-to-do woman . . . urged [Elisha] to stay for a meal. 2 Kings 4:8
Today's Scripture: 2 Kings 4:8-10, 14-17
Insight
Elisha usually takes a back seat to the more celebrated Elijah, yet Elisha’s ministry was both powerful and profound. He experienced a divine interruption when Elijah abruptly cast his cloak upon him—signifying he was being called to follow and be trained for service (1 Kings 19:19-21). In the midst of plowing his family’s fields, the trajectory of Elisha’s life was changed as he not only followed Elijah, but he used the yoke and oxen to make a sacrificial offering, apparently as a statement of his commitment to follow the prophet. He enjoyed a much longer ministry than Elijah, and by the power of God performed more miracles than that of his mentor. Today, we can ask God to help us be open to His plans for us as we look for ways to serve others.
Up early, Sara wrote her to-do list for the day. But she was interrupted with a request from a young, struggling family. They desperately needed a gas card from church to be delivered to them. Sara was busy but knew God wanted her to do this. So she agreed to drop it off at the hotel where the church was having them stay for a few weeks. She got the card and checked the address—the drive was farther than she’d anticipated, so she complained to God, It’s going to take too much gas to get this to them!
Sara sensed these words in her spirit: Haven’t I provided for you? She replied, Yes, God, You have. Forgive my attitude. When she arrived, she found the couple, gave them the card, and held their baby. Sara thanked God on her drive home for blessing her with this simple, yet joyful opportunity.
In Elisha’s travels to Shunem in Israel, he found a woman who had a servant’s heart toward him. She urged Elisha “to stay for a meal,” so he often “stopped there to eat” (2 Kings 4:8). She and her husband even built him a room so whenever he came to their town, he’d have a place to stay (vv. 9-10). God graciously chose to bless them through Elisha’s prophecy of a child (v. 16).
Whether serving a prophet of God or a homeless family, when we’re open to God’s plan and defer to His to-do list, God delights to bless our hearts with joy.
Reflect & Pray
What interruption might be God’s plan for you? How can you serve in ways that are best for others?
Dear God, please open my heart to hear Your voice and serve as You lead.
For further study, read When He Was Gone.