The Wise Servant
ICS Daily Devotions

2 Kings 7:13 (NKJV) And one of his servants answered and said, “Please, let several men take five of the remaining horses which are left in the city. Look, they may either become like all the multitude of Israel that are left in it; or indeed, I say, they may become like all the multitude of Israel left from those who are consumed; so let us send them and see.”

It is wise to know who we should allow to speak into our lives. If the king in this passage were to listen to the officer who doubted Elisha’s word, he would have missed the chance to witness God’s deliverance and caused his people to starve to death.

He was fearful, and fear is a dream thief who will steal the vision, dream and calling that God has given you. It will tell you to quit and say that it is impossible; it will scream at you saying, “Look at you! Who do you think you are? Do you think that you can overcome these major obstacles?” Fear and doubt are “good friends”. Together, they will ensure that nothing gets done in your life and that you will never walk out the faith walk. We like to rationalise so that we feel good that it is impossible. However, over-processing can bring greater doubts and unbelief unless we process it with God in the picture!

It is always a fight between believing what God has promised and what the circumstances, facts and reports are telling us, and it won’t stop until the promise comes to pass. We will not achieve much if we constantly talk about the problem rather than focus on God and what He has spoken to us, and we need to remember that the devil will make it difficult for us to walk in faith and carry out what God has called us to do.

The king heard Elisha’s words that breakthrough would come the next day. Nonetheless, he was doubtful and fearful, but his wise servant was bold enough to speak up and gave the king a suggestion. He stopped the king’s fear in its path and gave him faith and hope. He encouraged the king to take a simple step to trust God.

Let’s not be like the officer who cast doubt in God’s promise, and not be like the king who was gripped with fear and lost his ability to lead. Instead, let’s be like the wise servant who believed that it was possible the Syrians had fled, and we must develop our faith like Elisha who wasn’t moved by the circumstances no matter how overwhelming.

Sermon Series: Step Out!