Former Blackout Artist

Elisha said, “Get a bow and some arrows,” and he did so. “Take the bow in your hands,” he said to the king of Israel. When he had taken it, Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands. “Open the east window,” he said, and he opened it. “Shoot!” Elisha said, and he shot. “The LORD’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram!” Elisha declared. “You will completely destroy the Arameans at Aphek.” Then he said, “Take the arrows,” and the king took them. Elisha told him, “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 13:15-19

Joash, the king of Israel, came to Elisha for help, and Elisha gave him simple instructions – shoot an arrow and then strike the ground with the rest. Joash obeyed, but only partially. He struck the ground three times and stopped. Elisha got angry because Joash’s halfhearted effort limited God’s blessing.

How often we do the same! God gives us direction, but we follow through just enough to feel obedient, not enough to see the full blessing. Maybe we pray for a situation but give up when we don’t see the results. Perhaps we pursue a calling but pull back when it gets hard.

Dear Christian, God doesn’t call us to halfway faith. No, He calls us to keep striking until there are no more arrows in the quiver – to keep praying, to keep trusting, and to keep moving forward, even when we don’t see immediate results.

Where is God asking you to persist today? Don’t settle for partial victory, loved one. Keep striking until the Lord says stop.

Today’s Prayer: Lord, forgive me for the times I have stopped short of Your full blessing. Strengthen my faith and help me to keep going, even when I don’t see the results. I trust that You are working in ways I cannot see. In Jesus’ name, Amen.