The Heaton File

Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need; since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I sent him the more eagerly, that when you see him again you may rejoice, and I may be less sorrowful. Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness, and hold such men in esteem; because for the work of Christ he came close to death, not regarding his life, to supply what was lacking in your service toward me. (Philippians 2:25-30)

Epaphroditus

The apostle Paul did not take on the work of spreading the gospel alone. He had many disciples who surrounded him to encourage him and assist in his work. Travel during the days of Rome allowed the spread of the church throughout the world with great ease. Paul’s missionary journeys were built on an excellent road system and on travel across the Mediterranean Sea. The ease of travel allowed churches like the Philippian church to send messengers and helpers to assist the busy apostle of Christ. One such messenger was a man called Epaphroditus. Nothing is known of this disciple except in the endearing letter to the saints at Philippi.

The church at Philippi selected Epaphroditus to carry an offering to help meet Paul’s needs during his first Roman imprisonment. Luke concludes his history of the church with Paul under house arrest but able to receive visitors. The church at Philippi was especially keen to help Paul, as he thanks them for their kind support when he was in Thessalonica, where the church sent aid to him. Now imprisoned in Rome, they sent Epaphroditus nearly 1200 miles to bring Paul some aid.

Some time after arriving in Rome, Epaphroditus became very sick, almost to the point of death. God had mercy on him, and the servant of the Lord regained his strength. When the brethren heard of the illness of Epaphroditus, they became alarmed and concerned for his life. News traveled very slowly, so it took some time to learn of his illness and then to hear he had recovered. When Epaphroditus regained his strength, Paul immediately sent him back to the brethren so they would worry no longer about their fellow brother and laborer. Paul encourages the Philippian saints to recognize the sacrifice Epaphroditus made in coming to Rome and then returning those many miles to his home.

All that is known of Epaphroditus comes from the commendations of Paul. It is a rich litany of noble traits that set Epaphroditus apart from others. Paul considered him in the bonds of Christian fellowship and called him “my brother.” This was not a light term but an endearing bond of affection for someone who, like Paul, shared the dangers and challenges of preaching the gospel. Epaphroditus was a fellow worker of Paul, and that was no small task, considering the kind of work Paul did. Paul calls his brother a fellow soldier, recognizing the battles they fought together against the wiles of the devil and the persecution of those who refused to believe Jesus was the Christ. As a spiritual band of brothers, Paul stood shoulder to shoulder with Epaphroditus to fight the good fight.

Epaphroditus was a faithful worker for the church in Philippi. He made the long journey to carry the gift from the church to Paul. His love for the brethren at Philippi was clear in his concern when he realized their worry over him being sick. The bond between Epaphroditus and the church at Philippi was very strong. He was to be held in esteem in the image of Christ for his faithfulness and courage to do the work of a servant of God.

The church needs people like Epaphroditus to carry on the work regardless of the trials. He was willing to make a 1,200-mile journey overland to carry out the work of the church. The church had work, and he volunteered. There was a close relationship between the man and the brethren. He was highly esteemed in the church for his faith. There was never any doubt about his allegiance. The church at Philippi could count on Epaphroditus to carry out fully the work of taking a gift to Paul. When the church has this kind of men and women and young people to count on, growth is immediate.

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (Joshua 1:8)

A Time Of Meditation

The scriptures are given to direct the heart and mind to the will of the Father. When Moses received the law from God, he wrote the words down as a record for the people to read. Through the written word, Israel knew what God wanted of them. It also served as a reminder of His will and the relationship the Lord had with Israel. Everything expected of the people was outlined in the Book of the Law. Not only did God give the written word to inform His people, but the Lord also desired that His people focus their thoughts daily on His word. He wanted them to concentrate on the meaning of His word, His will, and His love for them.

Reading the word of God is not enough. God wants His people to think about what they read. C. Simmons explains that meditation is the “Nurse of thought and thought the food of meditation.” Meditation is the practice of contemplation or reflection as a mental exercise to delve deeper into the meaning of divine truth. When Joshua began his leadership of God’s people, the Lord instructed him to meditate upon divine truth day and night. Meditation would help solidify faith in the heart and light the path of righteousness and truth. To fully know the word of God, the mind must spend time dwelling upon what God said, how He said it, and why.

The psalms are filled with admonitions to meditate upon the word of God. When David was in the wilderness of Judah, he would meditate on how God had helped, protected, delivered, and blessed him. David’s constant thoughts were on the glory of God. Meditation helped David against anger. He spent time reflecting on the days of old and on all the works of God. The creation caused David to see the hand of God as he mused on the Lord’s incredible glory.

Meditation is the central theme of the author of Psalm 119. He points out the value of meditating on the precepts, commandments, statutes, and the word of God. Through meditation, the heart will see the ways of God and learn how much God loves the world. Meditation helps to create a love for God. Daily prayer fortifies the meditative spirit to dwell deeply within the mind of God. Paul reminded the saints at Philippi to meditate on things that were true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and anything praiseworthy. The Christian is a thinking person. God has given His complete revelation for everyone to read, understand, and obey. He also wants the minds of His children to think about Him every day.

Meditation is the exercise of the mind, which is fortified with the mind of Christ. Mental exercise nourishes the soul by helping it think about things that are righteous and true. The reason meditation on God’s word is important is that Satan wants the heart to meditate on the things of this world. There is a war going on between the flesh and the spirit. The devil desires for men to ponder the pleasures of the flesh to keep the heart from learning the will of God. Thinking about the pleasures of the flesh will lead to death. God wants His people to think about Him, and He promised eternal life to those who meditate on His word. Daily meditation will prepare the soul for eternity. Above all things, meditate on the word of God day and night, to observe and do according to all that is written. For then the way will be prosperous, and there will be good success.

Who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented. (Hebrews 11:33-37)

Faith Of Our Fathers

A very familiar song by Frederick W. Faber, written in 1849, has a hidden challenge that few notice when singing. Faber was a Roman Catholic priest who honored the English Catholics who faced imprisonment, torture, and death at the hands of Henry VIII and Elizabeth 1. Many died who held their religious convictions to be “true to thee till death.” The hymn includes the exhortation to a benevolent spirit toward all men, whether friend or foe. It reflects on the generations of those who suffered for what they believed.

The challenge of the song illustrates how those who were chained in prisons dark were free in heart, and that it would be a sweet experience for the descendants to die like them. This is a stark reality easily sung and seldom recognized for the hopeful spirit of suffering in the manner of those who were thrown into dark prisons, tortured, and killed. Since the fall of man, the righteous have suffered at the hands of the unrighteous. Abel was killed by his brother because his sacrifice obtained a witness that he was righteous. Throughout the history of the nation of Israel, God’s chosen people, how often they killed the prophets whom they disliked and disagreed with.

Persecution always follows those who seek truth and righteousness. Jesus was killed by His own people for envy, Stephen was stoned to death, and the twelve apostles were beaten for preaching Jesus. Paul was in prison often, whipped times without number, and faced death repeatedly. Five times, the Jewish leaders gave him thirty-nine lashes. Three times he was beaten with rods and once was left for dead after being stoned. On three of his trips, he was shipwrecked, including spending a whole night and a day adrift at sea. The faith of our fathers takes on a whole different level of understanding.

Courage is easy when the sun is bright, and the wind is fair. For most saints, life may have its challenges, but few experience the deeper waters that will press hard against the soul. It is difficult to know if it would be a sweet thing to, like those in times past, to be tortured or persecuted for a measure of faith. For many Christians, a slight headache can keep them from worship services. Being told to read the Bible and to pray is just asking too much. Letting those in the world see a Christian example pushes the bounds of decency. It is easier to dress like the world than to dress with holiness and godliness. Following the world makes life so much nicer than having to endure ridicule or laughter from people who don’t follow the teachings of Jesus.

It is nice to sing about the faith of our fathers, as long as no one has to live like the life of our fathers. To think it would be a sweet thing to suffer like them is, quite frankly, absurd. It’s one thing to be a Christian, but it should not be taken so seriously that life becomes different from the world. At least that is the thinking of those who have not committed themselves to the cause of Jesus Christ. It is impossible to live a godly life and not suffer persecution at some level. The child of God either lives like the world or lives for Christ. Jesus said it is impossible to serve God and mammon. Faith of our fathers, living still. Does your heart beat high with joy living differently from the world?

Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Luke 12:40)

An Hour That You Do Not Expect

Human nature is against surprises. Springing something on the unsuspecting can be fun or disturbing. Life is filled with unexpected events that change the course of the world. An earthquake devastates a region with sudden upheavals that take the lives of the unsuspecting. Tornadoes rip through a region, bringing destruction without warning. Health concerns happen immediately with grave consequences. Young and old are struck down in a moment with no warning. There is yet to come an event that comes without announcement. The coming of the Lord will be as a thief in the night who does not alert the victim to his coming. In the quiet of a normal night, a thief will descend upon his victim to catch him unawares.

The language of a thief in the night is the language of the Holy Spirit. Jesus taught that He would return for final judgment. Paul and Peter wrote about Jesus’ return with His holy angels as a real event. One certain characteristic of the coming of Christ will be the unannounced and sudden appearing of the judgment of God upon all mankind. Human nature is uncomfortable believing in something that can come without warning. Many refuse to believe Jesus is coming back for judgment. As the Son of God, Jesus declares the will of the Father in warning of His return. It has been more than two thousand years since the promise of His return, which lulls the hearts of men into lethargy, leading them to believe that Jesus could not return today.  

There is no reason for anyone to be caught unprepared when the Lord returns. Everyone will be surprised because Jesus will come at an hour no one expects. In the days of Noah, the world was eating, drinking, and enjoying the carnal pleasures of life as if it would go on forever. The fact that men lived for hundreds of years lulled them into a false sense of security, leading them to believe the world could never come to an end. It did. While they were eating, it started raining. In the middle of their pleasures, the fountains of the deep broke open. They did not believe Noah’s testimony, who warned them of the coming judgment. The flood came at an hour they did not expect, and it was too late when they realized the truth. So it will be when the Lord returns.

The world is so busy running the race of the fleshly desires, it does not realize the coming day of the Lord. No one can predict when the Lord will return. Jesus told His disciples that He did not know. What He did know was that when the Father said it was time, it would be an instant, in the twinkling of the eye, and the heavens and earth would be destroyed. Those who live in Christ will be surprised but prepared. For those who are not in Christ, they will be surprised and horrified. They will also realize it will be too late. There will be nothing they can do because they were unprepared for the unexpected return of the Lord.

Jesus told His disciples to be ready. That same message is for the world to hear today that provisions have been made through the blood of Jesus Christ to ready the faithful for the unannounced return of the Lord Jesus Christ. The day will come as a surprise. Those who have obeyed the gospel of Christ will admire the coming of the Lord and His glory. The majority of the eight or more billion souls on earth will be terrified and fearful as they stand before God, failing to prepare for His coming. He is coming back. Be surprised but be prepared.

For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. (Galatians 6:8)

Like Produces Like

The principle of reproduction was established on day four of creation when God created the grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind. This would apply to the abundance of living creatures in the waters, the birds that fly above the earth, the cattle and creeping things, and beasts of the earth, and finally, a man and a woman. Reproduction is based on the principle that everything reproduces after its own kind. An apple tree cannot bear figs, and a cow cannot reproduce a duck. Children can only be conceived by a man and a woman. The law of reproduction is established by the hand of God, and the habitation of the Divine cannot be changed.

Sowing and reaping are true in the spiritual world. A person’s life is determined by what they sow in their hearts. There are only two possibilities. Either a man will sow of his flesh, or he will choose to follow God and sow in his heart the seeds of the Spirit. The harvest always shows what is sown. A cornfield reveals that corn seeds were planted. Apple orchards come from apple seeds. A corrupt and wicked life comes from sowing the seeds of corruption and evil. To have a spiritual life with God requires sowing seeds of the Spirit. Crossbreeding is not possible between kinds. It is impossible to live a fleshly life and receive everlasting life. Like produces like.

When Jesus said it was impossible to serve two masters, He showed that like can only produce what it represents in life. If a man will not plant the seeds of the word of God in his heart, he will become what he has ingested into his spirit. The wise man noted that as a man thinks himself to be in his heart, he will become. What a man plants in his heart will determine the kind of man he will become. Those who sow to the flesh will of the flesh reap corruption because goodness cannot come from evil hearts. When a man sows the seed of the Spirit in his heart, he will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Like produces like.

Sowing and reaping is the basic principle of life. Everyone has the free choice to decide what seed they want to implant in their life. If a man wants to be close to God, learn about Jesus Christ, and commune with the Holy Spirit, he must spend the time required to fill his heart with the message of God’s grace. Faith comes from hearing the word of God, and the proportion of faith will largely be determined by the sowing of the seed of the word in the heart. Without the sowing, there can be no harvest. A man becomes what a man desires to be. If he wants to know everything about the word of God, he will dedicate his heart to know his will. The sowing of the seed of God’s word will bring a bountiful crop of righteousness, truth, and the knowledge of God’s will.

Everyone becomes what they desire to be. That desire must be to sow to the Spirit. The reward of sowing to the Spirit cannot be compared to anything in this world. Everlasting life comes from those who have sown the word in the heart. Sowing is hard work. It is laborious and taxing. The more acres of spiritual seed planted in the heart, the greater the harvest. Sowing the seed of the Spirit will reap an eternal harvest.

Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked. Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. (1 John 2:3-8)

Love And Commandment Keeping

Obedience to the word of God has always challenged the free will of man. Satan told Eve she could dismiss what God told her about the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The fall of man occurred when Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command. When the Lord destroyed the world in the days of Noah, the heart of man was wicked continually. Sin is the transgression of God’s law. Because of the rejection of God’s law, the world was destroyed by the flood. Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord because he loved the Lord and kept His commandments.

John is commonly viewed as the apostle of love. His gospel is a declarative thesis on the divinity of Jesus, proving without a doubt the Sonship of the man from Nazareth as the Son of God. In the final hours of Jesus’ life, the Son of God tells the eleven that if they keep His commandments, they will show the Father their love for Him. Abiding in Christ is keeping the commandments. Jesus showed His love for the Father by keeping His commandments.

Knowing Jesus is more than knowing Jesus. Many people believe Jesus to be their Savior but refuse to accept Him as their Lord. Loving Jesus requires following the Father’s will. To know Jesus fully is to understand and obey the word of God. If a man says that he has a relationship with Jesus and does not obey His word, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him. Those who keep the word of God will find the love of God in their hearts. Abiding in Jesus is walking according to the commandments of God. This is not a new idea. Satan convinced Eve to love herself more than God and to take the forbidden fruit. When sin takes over the heart, it is self-love that fills the heart for men to live and think as they desire.

The religious world is filled with men and women who profess a love for Christ but never follow His will. Many people believe that as long as they love the Lord, God will glorify Him in their lives, regardless of whether they follow His word. They will accept the saving message of Christ, but to subject themselves to the laws, commandments, precepts, and testimonies of the word of God is more than they will accept. Salvation by works is rejected in favor of the acceptance of a misguided notion that grace does not require obedience. Love demands obedience. How can God give His only begotten Son as a sacrifice for sinful man and then require man to do nothing but love him in a personal experience?

Children of God are commandment keepers by the grace of God. Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord, but he still had to build the ark to the specifications given to him by the word of God. The Lord has never left man without the word of truth to guide him and direct him. What the Father expects (commands) in return is for the heart of man to love Him and to keep His commandments. When a man refuses to obey the commandments of the Lord, he shows his disdain for God. Refusing to keep the will of the Father will result in condemnation.

In the mountain sermon, Jesus taught that only those who do the will of the Father will be saved. He also highlights that many people will stand before His Father in judgment, declaring their love for God but who have failed to keep His word. They will not be saved. Jesus will reject them. Love is an important part of the relationship, but refusing to keep the will of the Father will keep one out of heaven. Keeping the commandments shows man’s love for God. Love demands obedience.

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. (Romans 1:20-21)

The Godhead In The Old Testament

Moses wrote down the story of the creation of the world, with a brief overview of thousands of years before the opening scene in Exodus, when God’s plan to create the nation of Israel is revealed. The writings of Moses are dated around 1450 B. C., showing that many years were unaccounted for before Moses was born. Moses described the creation in which the Godhead was actively involved in bringing everything in the world to life. The central theme is the Almighty God and Father, who takes precedence over all beings and exercises all authority. As the world is void and without form, the Holy Spirit hovers above the waters. The Christ is present at creation as one of the Godhead. On the sixth day, God directs the Holy Spirit and the Christ to complete the plan of creation to form man from the dust. Eve is created from the rib of Adam.

After the fall, Adam and Eve are expelled from the garden, but they are not excluded from the presence of the Lord. God reveals Himself to His creation to show them His will, His character, His nature, and His power. Cain and Abel offer sacrifices to God because they know who God is and what is expected of them. From the beginning of time, God promised to redeem man through the promise of the Seed. The fulfillment of the Seed promise would not be realized until Jesus Christ rose from the dead, but the concept of a coming Christ was always present in the minds of men. It is clear that God revealed the nature of His word and the Godhead to early man so that he would know how to worship Him. Abraham predates Moses by many generations, and he met Melchizedek, a priest of the Most High God.

The priesthood of Melchizedek shows how God revealed His will to man. Nothing is recorded about the priesthood of Melchizedek, but it was an order of priests ordained by God to worship Him in spirit and truth. The absence of writings describing the priesthood of Melchizedek does not suggest ignorance of man of the character of the Godhead. Moses wrote down the books of the Law for a foundation for Christ, showing why God chose Israel as His own people. Early man would have known about the Seed promise through God’s revelation. Moses was not the first man to know about the Seed promise. Abraham believed in the promises of God before the promise of Isaac was fulfilled. The man Job knew about the Holy Spirit as well as his friend Elihu. David pleaded with God not to take away the Holy Spirit from him. From the beginning of time, God revealed Himself to the world in the form of the triune personalities of the Divine.

Moses declared the glory of God when he wrote about the Godhead forming man in their image. Man was created to show the glory of God, the hope of the Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit. Early man understood through a dark mirror the nature of the Godhead. Time would slowly reveal the story of God’s redeeming love. Throughout the Old Testament story, the faithful of God hoped for and longed for the fulfillment of the promises made in the Garden of Eden. Time would unfold the story of Jesus, the Christ, the Son of the Living God. The Holy Spirit would burst upon the scene of the early church, not as a new revelation but as part of the Godhead actively involved in the scheme of redemption.

The invisible attributes of God are clearly seen from the beginning of time. There has never been a time when man could plead ignorance to the character and nature of the Godhead. Although they knew God, they rebelled against Him and rejected His word. The nature of the Seed promise was not fully realized until Jesus came to earth as a man. When the early church began, the nature of the Holy Spirit was magnified in His work of revealing truth and showing the power of God through miracles. For the world today, the story of God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit is contained within the pages of the Bible to lead the heart of man back to God. All men are created in the image of the Godhead – the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light. (Revelation 21:23)

The Glory Of God

The imagery of heaven is hard to imagine. In the Revelation given to the apostle John, the Holy Spirit paints on an eternal canvas images that symbolically describe the immense beauty of eternal life, often in terms difficult to grasp. Taking pictures from the pages of life, the painting of the eternal city becomes an incredible vista of an immense city filled with streets of gold. The gates of the city are made of a single pearl. Jewels garland the city to express its eternal glory in the presence of God. Everything about the imagery is breathless. Helping to complete the picture, the Holy Spirit reveals that the center of the eternal city is the glory of God.

From a human standpoint, the rising of the sun is a normal occurrence that takes place each morning without thought. Every day the sun sets in the west, and the moon reigns over the night. Children are taught that light comes from the sun, hundreds of thousands of miles away. Without the sun, life on Earth would die. The presence of the sun and moon is necessary for life to continue. John’s message in the Revelation is that the eternal city will have neither sun nor moon. When the Lord returns, the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat. Everything on earth will be destroyed. The heavens that contain the sun, the planets, including the moon, and all the stars will be obliterated into nothing.

In the absence of the heavens and earth, the eternal city will be filled with the glory of God. There will be no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it. The eternal city is not a place of physicality determined by the natural laws, but a place where the glory of God will shine brighter than the sun, and the Lamb will be its light. Illumination will come from the glory of the Father. The visible splendor of His glory will fill the eternal city for the children of light to bask in and walk in. God’s glory fills the eternal places. There will be no night in the city of God. The glory of God will be the only light. Everything will glorify the image of the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb.

Eternal life is yet to come, and the fulfillment of what John wrote is still to be fulfilled. Until the day of the Lord, the sun, moon, and stars remain. Each day, the sun rises to bathe the earth in its warm glow and sets in the evening. While the eternal city has yet to be realized, the imagery of God’s glory filling the city remains the true hope that man has for eternal life. Children of light have filled their lives with the glory of God. Jesus taught that the lives of the faithful are like lights shining in a dark world. The more the Christian fills himself with the glory of God, the brighter he shines in the world.

God will fill the eternal city one day, but God needs to fill the tent of flesh as the people of God walk among men. Everything about the life of the Christian must be the glow of God’s glory. The speech of the Christian is light to the world. Attitudes expressed by children of God are the radiant beams of God’s word. The example of the Christian reflects the glory of God. When the world sees the life of the child of God, what they are to see is the glory of God filling every part of their lives so that all the world sees is the Lamb of God. Filling the heart with the brilliance of the glory of God will help those in darkness find the way, the truth, and the light. Heaven will be filled with the glory of God. Until that time is realized, fill your life with the glory of God.

So Hazael went to meet him and took a present with him, of every good thing of Damascus, forty camel-loads; and he came and stood before him, and said, “Your son Ben-Hadad king of Syria has sent me to you, saying, ‘Shall I recover from this disease?’ ” And Elisha said to him, “Go, say to him, ‘You shall certainly recover.’ However the Lord has shown me that he will really die.” Then he set his countenance in a stare until he was ashamed; and the man of God wept. And Hazael said, “Why is my lord weeping?” He answered, “Because I know the evil that you will do to the children of Israel: Their strongholds you will set on fire, and their young men you will kill with the sword; and you will dash their children, and rip open their women with child.” (2 Kings 8:9-12)

The Horrors Of War

Ben-Hadad, king of Syria, was ill and sought the counsel of the prophet, Elisha, whether he would recover. An officer of the king, Hazael, was sent to inquire of the prophet, taking with him great gifts. Elisha told Hazael to tell Ben-Hadad that he would recover, but in truth, the king would die. When Elisha told Hazael the news of his king, the prophet’s countenance changed dramatically. Elisha sank into a stare, and he began to weep. Hazael asked why the prophet was weeping. Elisha reveals to Hazael that he knows what will happen to Ben-Hadad and what Hazael will do. When Hazael returns to tell Ben-Hadad the news, the next day Hazael takes a thick cloth soaked in water and murders the king.

What saddened Elisha was what God revealed to the prophet, the level of cruelty Hazael would bring upon the people of God. The Lord used the Syrians to punish His rebellious people. Hazael would bring great suffering to the land of Israel, burning their cities to the ground, and killing all the young men with the sword. The Syrians would take the small children and dash them against rocks. They would take pregnant women and rip open their wombs, killing both mother and child most horrifically. The prophets Hosea and Amos would both declare God’s fury and wrath against Damascus for the atrocities of war committed against the children of Israel.

War crimes are as old as the history of humanity. No nation that has gone to war survives without condemnation for cruelty in battle upon the opposing army, and especially the innocent. The inhumanity of man against his fellow man is evidence of the nature of sin and wickedness. There is no justification for torture, rape, murder, and cruelty toward others in the name of war. Nothing will go unpunished. The Syrians were a tool used by God to punish His people, as were the Assyrians and Babylonians, but judgment came upon all those who exacted horrible acts of cruelty toward others. God does not ignore nor forget what the soldiers did to the young men and women with child.

Sin is at the heart of cruelty. Elisha was saddened by what he knew Hazael would do. He could see through the mind’s eye the atrocities committed by the Syrians against the people of God. Israel had rejected God, and He was bringing judgment upon His own people because of their sin. The Syrians sinned in killing the innocent and ripping open the women with child. Israel was guilty of wickedness by going after the gods of Baal, Asherah, and Chemosh. Idol worship included human sacrifice, rape, and torture. Israel was no less guilty than Syria. God will punish the heart of evil.

When Cain killed Abel, the consequence of sin was highlighted by the senseless murder of an innocent man. This act of murder would be repeated for thousands of years until the ultimate murder of a sinless man brought hope to a dark world. The Jews killed Jesus of Nazareth out of envy and jealousy. Jesus was sinless, who knew no sin. Through the death of Jesus, the inhumanity of man against others could be brought to light for the saving power of Jesus Christ. Peter told those on Pentecost that they killed the Son of God. Cut to the heart, they asked what they must do to be saved. Peter told them to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins. Three thousand believed and were baptized. The love and grace of God were shown to highlight that in the face of the inhumanity of man, God is willing to forgive. There is no greater love than to forgive those who killed the Son of God. God’s grace is amazing, beyond measure, eternal in the heavens. Sin will not be ignored. Obedience can wash away sin. Even the most horrible sin.

Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:5-7)

Asking God For Help

There is a story about a young boy working with his father in the yard. The boy decided to move a large stone. The father watched his son struggle with the rock, but it would not budge. Finally, the man asked the boy, “Are you using all your strength?” “Yes, Daddy,” he said panting, “I’m using all my strength.” “No, you’re not,” the father replied. “You’re not using all your strength—because you haven’t asked me to help.”

Life is full of trials and obstacles. Sin brought heartache to the world, as the consequence of rebellion was expulsion from paradise. Man must battle sin. The flesh will suffer and die. Because of the sin, life is full of labor and toil by the sweat of the brow. Life is full of troubles, doubts, fears, and uncertainty. God punished man for rebellion, but He did not leave His creation alone. At the moment God punished man, He blessed him with the knowledge to overcome the trials he would face. The world is full of trials, and the answer to overcoming them is to ask God for help.

Pride keeps the heart from seeking the help of the Almighty. Obstacles come into life that human wisdom cannot overcome. A man will try everything he can to get through his trouble, neglecting the greatest source of comfort he has – God! Throughout scripture, the Lord shows, by example and commandment, that He is willing and able to help with anything a man struggles with. Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord, and through God’s will, Noah and his family were saved from the flood. Nothing in human wisdom could have prepared him or told him how to save himself.

The blessing of being in Christ is asking the Father for help, and He will answer. This is not something those outside of Christ share. There is no need to be anxious about the affairs of life when the heart fully trusts in and depends upon the blessings of God. The key to the Father’s blessing is to ask. Sadly, many of God’s people are in spiritual kindergarten when it comes to prayer. The Lord wants His people to seek His help in everything by prayer and supplication. A thankful heart moves the spirit to beg for God’s mercy, grace, and help in times of need. God may know the needs of a man, but He wants the heart to seek, ask, and knock.

Prayers unasked are the most tragic of petitions. God desires for His children to speak with Him, share their thoughts and wants with Him. He is the God of blessings who will shower His grace upon those who seek His help. As the God of peace, the Father will give understanding that surpasses the wisdom of man when men ask for His guidance and help. The key is found in the asking. If a man tries to answer the challenges of life apart from God, he will fail. Ask God. Seek the Lord. Let your requests be made known to God.