DEVOTIONAL

Those who are born into the kingdom of God have a peace that surpasses all understanding. This peace is not that which the world gives, but an inward peace of the assurance of God’s eternal kingdom and that we are co-heirs with Jesus Christ through adoption. This peace was given to us by the Holy Spirit Who was poured out into our hearts by the love of God. By His grace He awakened our souls, unveiling the eyes of our heart to the reality of His spiritual kingdom that resides in our very midst. Jesus speaking to the religious sect concerning this subject said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is !’ or, ‘There it is !’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.” The natural person, those who are not in Christ, does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. But the spiritual person, those who are in Christ, judges all things according to His holy word, for they have the mind of Christ. As Christians we know that God is everywhere, yet those whose eyes are blinded by sin cannot see Him. But our eyes have been opened by the power of regeneration, and we move and have our existence in Him . It would be impossible to place a Christian where he would not see his Maker in creation.

Elisha was a man with a nature just like ours and he was called by God to live a holy life in a time of utter darkness. There is no doubt that there were times in his life when he came under great emotional anguish, where the feeling of fear sought to captivate him. It was in these times that he leaned on the strong arm of God’s holy word, knowing the Lord had said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Now there was a moment in Elisha’s life that looked utterly hopeless and impossible. The Syrian army was trying to lay siege to Israel. So they surrounded Dothan seeking to remove Elisha so that he would not call upon the Lord for help. When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O LORD, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Christians, today, may you come to understand that God is not a God who is far away, but He is very near to us. He loves us and He sent His Son to die on the cross for us. He redeemed us from this fallen world and from our fallen lifestyle. God the father delivered His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, over for our transgression, and then raised Him from the dead for our justification. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled to Him, shall we be saved through His life. For if God loves us this much He will not vacate us in our time of need. We must always remember that He is with us, He is very close to us and even though our physical eyes cannot see Him, He is governing our every step in this life.