Being God’s Partner

2 Kings 6:8-23  

8 Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, “I will set up my camp in such and such a place.” 9 The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: “Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there.” 10 So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places.11 This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, “Tell me! Which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?”

12 “None of us, my lord the king,” said one of his officers, “but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom.”13 “Go, find out where he is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.” 14 Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.

15 When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked.16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”17 And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

18 As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, “Strike this army with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.19 Elisha told them, “This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for.” And he led them to Samaria.20 After they entered the city, Elisha said, “Lord, open the eyes of these men so they can see.” Then the Lord opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria.

21 When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, “Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?”22 “Do not kill them,” he answered. “Would you kill those you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master.” 23 So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel’s territory.

I see in this passage an interesting example of partnering with God. The relationship between Elisha and God is very attractive. There is closeness which we could describe as friendship, oneness of purpose and a certain precision in their actions. No guessing here, they are in sync. Elisha prays boldly asking God to do specific things and God acts accordingly. Working together, God’s purposes are achieved: the war with Aram is ended – and without bloodshed; Elisha is kept safe; his servant learns more about God’s power and presence; and they even have some fun along the way. Elisha exhibits both boldness and humility. It’s a balance that from all evidence is hard to achieve today. We can be bold for God and in the process lose our humility or be so focussed on our human frailties that we do not take bold steps for God. I long for what Elisha had and thank God that we can all have it.

It’s a great privilege, isn’t it? that we can have the high honour of being partners with God. Not only does He offer us freedom from the bondage of sin and self but he invites us to be at his side co-labouring with Him as he does His wonderful works here on earth. Amazing! God sees our value, the value that he put in us when he made us, a high value that was covered up and warped by sin. Now, free from sin’s control, we can have that place of partnership he established at Creation. The first man, Adam, was invited to participate in God’s work by naming the animals and was given dominion over the earth to steward it for God.

Let us cultivate that knowledge of God and confidence in our relationship with Him that will help us to be effective partners, doing exploits with God in boldness and humility.

My God And I 

My God and I go in the field together;
We walk and talk as good friends should and do;
We clasp our hands, our voices ring with laughter;
My God and I walk through the meadow's hue.
We clasp our hands, our voices ring with laughter;
My God and I walk through the meadow's hue.

He tells me of the years that went before me
When heavenly plans were made for me to be;
When all was but a dream of dim reflection;
To come to life, earth's verdant glory see.
When all was but a dream of dim reflection;
To come to life, earth's verdant glory see.

My God and I will go for aye together,
We'll walk and talk just as good friends do;
This earth will pass, and with it common trifles,
But God and I will go unendingly.
This earth will pass, and with it common trifles,
But God and I will go unendingly

Austris A. Whithol.