Devotions with Pastor Marty DeVader

As I read through scripture this morning, I was brought to the story of the lost axe head in 2 Kings 6:1-7

And the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “See now, the place where we dwell with you is too small for us. Please, let us go to the Jordan, and let every man take a beam from there, and let us make there a place where we may dwell.”
So, he answered, “Go.”
Then one said, “Please consent to go with your servants.”
And he answered, “I will go.” So he went with them. And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. But as one was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, “Alas, master! For it was borrowed.”
So the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” And he showed him the place. So, he cut off a stick, and threw it in there; and he made the iron float. Therefore he said, “Pick it up for yourself.” So, he reached out his hand and took it.

According to the notes in my Bible, this was an act of compassion to restore what the young man had lost as he had borrowed it. By a miracle from God a piece of wood brought the axe head back to the surface. What have we lost that we need God to bring to the surface? Maybe its hope, maybe it’s a desire to seek him, maybe it’s a passion for sharing the truth of who Jesus is, maybe its faith, maybe its love! Maybe it’s something we need God to remove from us. Maybe its pride, un-forgiveness or some other sin that goes unnoticed that God sees clearly that is keeping us from being filled with all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:19

The Israelites were set free from bondage following Moses into the wilderness. They must have been thinking that this was going to be easy but somehow the excitement of being set free turned into bitterness against God. Things did not go the way they had planned. Why? Because they lost hope, they lost faith, and the desire for God who set them free. Things became really rough and they turned away from the Lord and their hearts became hard.

“Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion,
As in the day of in the wilderness, Psalm 95:8

I was once asked in a survey “If you were stranded on as island with no hope of rescue, what is the one thing you would want to have with you?” My response was, “My Bible.” I have been around long enough that I know how to survive. I can provide food and I can find water, and provide shelter. I cannot survive without God; He is the one thing I have to have to get through the life I lead.

George Washington who led the beginning of this great nation and guided by the Holy Spirit appealed to heaven for all they had to go through. General Washington knew they had no chance against the more superior British Army. The men under Washington’s command even had a flag with those very words, "An Appeal to Heaven", on it to remind them of who would help them.

Do we need to find something we have lost? Have we lost our hope, desire, passion, faith, or love? We should appeal to heaven with cries from the very depths of our souls to the only one who can save this Nation. We must as individuals and as a church repent for our sins. He hears us and knows what we go through and will not leave us nor forsake us. I truly believe that if we do this God will hear us and show us something new.
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Behold, I will do a new thing,
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it?
I will even make a road in the wilderness
And rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19

Have an amazing day!
Pastor Marty