So Much Yet to Learn - Blog Transfer

God has blessed me with an inquisitive mind. Additionally, I have a renewed zeal for His Word. It seems that the more I read, not huge amounts, but regular devoted reading, the greater understanding I gain from it. Even Old Testament books that once seemed so dry are yielding gems of knowledge. A good study bible and a desire to be connected to "the One who has all power" is all that is required.

Then he said, "Take the arrows... Strike the ground." He struck it three times and stopped. The man of God was angry with him and said, "You should have struck the ground five or six times; then you would have defeated Aram and completely destroyed it. But now you will defeat it only three times." (2 Kings 13:18-19)

Huh? What's up with that passage? But there is a powerful message in these words. Jehoash, king of Israel thought he did OK when he "struck [the ground] three times and stopped." But the Lord and His prophet, Elisha, were deeply disappointed at a half-hearted effort.

Sure, Jehoash did receive something for his effort, quite a bit actually. In the final analysis he got exactly what he believed God for. But Jehoash did not get everything God and Elisha had intended for him to receive. He got more than any human could have offered him, but he didn't get God's best.

There is a sobering truth to this story. It is that the importance of enthusiastically praying through our circumstances can not be understated. We must fully examine our hearts with God's message to us. Unless we do so, we will never claim the fullness of His promises to us or all the possibilities available that believing prayer offers.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Eph 3:20-21)

Paul uses seemingly redundant words, immeasurably more than all, to describe God's infinite love and power. And he also wanted us to know that we ought not limit God with our puny imaginations. So pick up the arrows and act like it's your last drum solo! Beat the ground like you want it tattooed! God expects a bit of enthusiasm in return for His best.