God is Always a Step Ahead

Read Time: 6 Minutes

Oftentimes we go to God when we have a need; when a situation has risen that has caused us trouble. We see that frequently in the Word of God also. People cry unto God after they are in great need. Not that this is wrong, but there is a better way. How about God keeping us out of trouble in the first place? God says He will rebuke the devourer for our sakes. We make the move to acknowledge Him, be thankful to Him and give and He will take care of us:

Malachi 3
:10   Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse,
        that there may be meat in mine house,
            and prove me now herewith,
    saith the LORD of hosts,
            if I will not open you the windows of heaven,
        and pour you out a blessing,
            that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
:11   And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes,
        and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground;
        neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field,
    saith the LORD of hosts.
:12   And all nations shall call you blessed:
        for ye shall be a delightsome land,
    saith the LORD of hosts.

God has already made His move toward us. If we are waiting on a sign from heaven or some life changing revelation we will miss the mark. It is our turn to make the move toward God. We acknowledge Him in our tithes and offerings. He will take care of us when we trust in Him and believe His promises. Take God at His Word.

In II Kings 6 Syria had started sending bands of raiders into Israel to steal their riches and bring back slaves. But we see God step in and divert the problem. He didn't wait until the people cried for help because Syrians had attacked a household, Elisha was listening to God and believing that God would take care of His people.

II Kings 6
:8 Then the king of Syria warred against Israel,
    and took counsel with his servants, saying,
        In such and such a place shall be my camp.
:9 And the man of God sent unto the king of Israel, saying,
        Beware that thou pass not such a place;
        for thither the Syrians are come down.

How did Elisha know this? Revelation from God--Word of Knowledge and Word of Wisdom.

:10 And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him
    and warned him of,
    and saved himself there,
    not once nor twice. [time and time again]
:11 Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was sore troubled for this thing;
    and he called his servants, and said unto them,
        Will ye not shew me which of us is for the king of Israel?
:12 And one of his servants said,
        None, my lord, O king:
        but Elisha,
            the prophet that is in Israel,
        telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.

This is great!! God is telling Elisha where the Syrians were going to be so that the Israelites could avoid the ambushes and altercations. Now this is a new twist on things. God is always full of surprises, you never know how He is going to keep us from trouble or help us. It is not up to us to try to figure it out anyway--it is God's responsibility. This is a big deal! Wouldn't you much rather have God keep you out of undesirable situations and circumstances than cry for help after you are there. Think of it as preventative maintenance. Well, it is available.

The King of Syria starts accusing his own people of spying because Israel always knew where the Syrian bands were which made the raids unsuccessful. One of the servants knew what was going on.

:12 And one of his servants said,
        None, my lord, O king:
        but Elisha,
            the prophet that is in Israel,
        telleth the king of Israel the words that thou speakest in thy bedchamber.
:13 And he said,
        Go and spy where he is,
        that I may send and fetch him.
    And it was told him, saying,
        Behold, he is in Dothan.
:14 Therefore sent he thither horses,
        and chariots,
        and a great host:
    and they came by night,
    and compassed the city about.
:15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early,
    and gone forth,
    behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots.
    And his servant said unto him,
        Alas, my master! how shall we do?
:16 And he answered,
        Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
:17 And Elisha prayed, and said,
        LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see.
    And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man;
    and he saw:
    and, behold, the mountain was full of horses
        and chariots of fire round about Elisha. [I'd hang out with Elisha thank you]
:18 And when they [the Syrians] came down to him,
    Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said,
        Smite this people,
            I pray thee,
        with blindness.
    And he smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.

This blindness was to the extent that it kept them from recognizing Elisha and his servants so Elisha could lead them away. It is not that they were totally blinded and unseeing.

:19 And Elisha said unto them,
        This is not the way,
            neither is this the city:
        follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek.
    But he led them to Samaria.
:20 And it came to pass,
        when they were come into Samaria,
    that Elisha said,
        LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see.
    And the LORD opened their eyes,
    and they saw;
    and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria.
:21 And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them,
        My father, shall I smite them?
        shall I smite them?
:22 And he answered,
        Thou shalt not smite them:
        wouldest thou smite those
        whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow?
        set bread and water before them,
            that they may eat and drink,
            and go to their master.
:23 And he prepared great provision for them:
    and when they had eaten and drunk,
    he sent them away,
    and they went to their master.
    So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel. [the profit]

If the king of Israel had killed those Syrians the raids would not have stopped. But the band was allowed to return to Syria and tell their king what had happened to them and that they were up against the God of Israel.

God interceded in this situation before anyone got in trouble. Because Elisha and a few other people believed God and stood for Him God spared Israel from the attacks of the adversary.

We have a powerful God who is willing and able to rebuke the devourer for our sakes. Take God at His Word and claim those promises.