Elisha: Dig a Ditch

Listen to this message through lens of your greatest need. That’s because your greatest need often becomes a blessing. Your greatest need drives you to depend on God.

9 So the king of Israel went with the king of Judah and the king of Edom, and they marched on that roundabout route seven days; and there was no water for the army, nor for the animals that followed them. 10 And the king of Israel said, “Alas! For the Lord has called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab.” 11 But Jehoshaphat said, “Is there no prophet of the Lord here, that we may inquire of the Lord by him?” So one of the servants of the king of Israel answered and said, “Elisha the son of Shaphat is here, who poured water on the hands of Elijah.” 12 And Jehoshaphat said, “The word of the Lord is with him.” So the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom went down to him. 13 Then Elisha said to the king of Israel, “What have I to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father and the prophets of your mother.” But the king of Israel said to him, “No, for the Lord has called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab.” 14 And Elisha said, “As the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand, surely were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you, nor see you. 15 But now bring me a musician.” Then it happened, when the musician played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him. 16 And he said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Make this valley full of ditches.’ 17 For thus says the Lord: ‘You shall not see wind, nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you, your cattle, and your animals may drink.’ 18 And this is a simple matter in the sight of the Lord; He will also deliver the Moabites into your hand. 19 Also you shall attack every fortified city and every choice city, and shall cut down every good tree, and stop up every spring of water, and ruin every good piece of land with stones.” 20 Now it happened in the morning, when the grain offering was offered, that suddenly water came by way of Edom, and the land was filled with water.  (2 Kings 3:9-20 NKJV)

Wow. Attitude. You want God in your life now? Now that there is nothing left, you have nothing to barter, so you come before God? This attitude Elisha had, he learned this from Elijah. He told the  false prophets shout louder! Do you remember what Elijah told the prophets of Baal? Your god may be on vacation, sleeping, in bathroom (in bible too). That’s why Elisha tells these kings to go call on their parents’ gods. I want you to know this: Jehoshaphat wasn’t doing what supposed to; but he did fear God. The reason we know that is because of verse 12. You all need to know that you might not be doing what you are supposed to, but that doesn’t mean you can’t go to God for help. It’s good if we are doing what we are supposed to, but sometimes we mess up, and God still wants us to come to Him. Its interesting that when they are dying of thirst, that God tells them to go and do manual labor under dessert sun! What the heck! Really? Greatest need becomes blessing—drives you to depend on God. When you depend on God, you will be doing some crazy things. I know it doesn’t make any sense, right? But it does. Let’s go to our memory verse, so you can see how this all ends. Really think God needed the troops to dig ditches? Of course not. See, what God wanted was for the soldiers to show Him their faithfulness. God wants us to show Him our faithfulness and in return, He will show us His. Many times God wants us to participate in his miracles. Lets look at what Jesus tells people when he heals them–Stretch out hand (to the leper); pick up your mat (to the lame); Wash your eyes (to the blind). Can you really have Godly kids if you don’t take them to church, if you don’t correct them? No, you need to Dig some ditches.

• Likewise, you want to be a dr, you need to work like a dr.
• Want more money—Tithe, budget, work hard at work.
• Send me wife: get a job, go to the Gym, Iron shirt with a collar, Sell x-box.
• Want a husband? Finish school, get a job, dress to impress and meet somebody.

ONLY GOD CAN SEND THE WATER, BUT SOMETIMES HE WANTS YOU TO DIG A DITCH. REAL FAITH BELIEVES BIG BUT IS WILLING TO START SMALL. Believe big: Size of your dream isn’t intimidating to you, it’s insulting God. Many people don’t think big enough—even more won’t start small! How do you dig a ditch? Shovel & hit the ground. One shovel at time.