So King Joram and the kings of Judah and Edom set out. After marching seven days, they ran out of water, and there was none left for the men or the pack animals…King Jehoshaphat asked, “Is there a prophet here through whom we can consult the LORD?” An officer of King Joram’s forces answered, “Elisha son of Shaphat is here. He was Elijah’s assistant.” …Elisha said to the king of Israel. “Go… get me a musician.” As the musician played his harp, the power of the LORD came on Elisha, and he said, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Dig ditches all over this dry stream bed. Even though you will not see any rain or wind, this stream bed will be filled with water, and you, your livestock, and your pack animals will have plenty to drink.’ …The next morning, at the time of the regular morning sacrifice, water came flowing from the direction of Edom and covered the ground – 2Ki 3:9-20
We all have bad spots. I have often wondered how it is that we are either in a bad spot, getting out of a bad spot or about to enter a bad spot. Bad spot just seem to be a part of being alive; as if someone says “here is life, and oh, by the way, here are all the bad times that come along with it!” But in church today, Pastor Emmanuel Moses preached a word that encouraged me so much about handling bad spots in life. Here are the four things I learned from that message about how to turn my season of bad spots to a season of blessing:
1. I can turn bad spots into a blessing if I would allow them to drive me to God: like these 3 kings in the passage, but for the fact that they ran out of water, they may never have ever enquired about God! So I learnt today that my bad spots could actually be a good thing if I spend more time with God as a result. Perhaps, if I spent more time with God anyway, I would be even better prepared for bad spot.
2. I can turn bad spots into a blessing if they teach me make God my partner: Elisha asked the kings to dig ditches. Pastor Emmanuel shared that God does not need ditches to save. God does not need anything from me to help me. Yet, if I dig ditches – pick up my shovel and take an action – it gives me an opportunity to become a partner with God in performing a miracle. Remember the feeding of the 5000 with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish? Jesus did not need 5 loaves and 2 fish – but oh wow – that kid who provided them – what a honor to team up with Jesus.
3. I can turn bad spots into a blessing if I they make me learn God’s principles of living: many times the reason I got into a bad spot is because I had followed human or worldly principles in dealing with stuff. Like in my finances, thinking that it is “the harder I work, the more money I can make”. Until, I collapse under stress and exhaustion. Or in my marriage, thinking that “if it worked for my parents, it should work in my marriage”. Until I am about to face a divorce! But these bad spots can become a season of blessing if they teach me that “the Lord is the one who supplies all my needs” and that “my spouse is gift from God – not from her parents or mine”.
4. I can turn bad spots into a blessing if I let them help me dream big but start small: God is not intimidated by difficulty of the situation I am facing. Unfortunately we think He is and so we reduce our dreams. We say things like “I am not asking for much, let God just do X for me…” where X is something so small, the least thing we can ask for. Pastor Emmanuel said – God can give you enough water to find an army! He is not intimidated by your perception of the size of the problem. The question is will you be willing to do some small thing in obedience to him? Don’t think small and what to start big; think big but start small.
So you see – a bad spot does not have to be bad thing. Rather, it appears that we all can, no matter how bad they are, turn them into a season of blessings. I pray that you and your loved ones can experience the miracles of God – waters in your wilderness situations – in the days ahead. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Listen to full audio of Pastor Emmanuel’s sermon below:
Also, you can listen to other messages by Pastor Emmanuel and other ministers at Grace Life Center by clicking here.
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