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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion January 28, 2008 Chariots of Fire |
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Frontline Devotion for Monday, January 28, 2008 by Fritz Foltz
II Kings 2:11-12 A chariot of fire and horses of fire separated the two of them, and Elijah ascended in a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha kept watching and crying out, ‘Father, father! The chariots of Israel and its horsemen!’
Faith could be pictured as the ability to see what others do not see. Where everyone else sees only despair and hopelessness, the eyes of faith see God at work, offering hope.
The lesson makes the point. The great prophet Elijah is preparing to die. His followers moan, “What are we going to do now?” Although he is in grief, Elisha asks if he will be able to carry on the work. Elijah responds he will know he is chosen if he sees God acting in the death.
And he does. Suddenly he sees a chariot of fire that comes to take Elijah to heaven. It is hard to know exactly how to read this. I assume the ordinary person would just see another human death. Instead Elijah sees God’s part in it all. His eyes of faith assure him God will enable him to continue the great prophet’s work.
Elijah’s followers used the story to claim he never really died. Instead he supposedly lived in heaven until God sent him to announce the arrival of the Messiah. So Jesus says John the Baptist is Elijah and so the Transfiguration includes him as an endorsement of Jesus’ role as the Messiah. Eyes of faith discern what God is doing.
II Kings 6:17 uses the image again. The Israelites panic as a tremendous enemy army encircle their city. Elisha prays that God will grant his servant eyes of faith to see God’s chariots and horses of fire are also surrounding and protecting the city.
Many of us trembled as the ending of the classic film “Chariots of Fire” used the same image. A congregation sings the wonderful hymn “Jerusalem” to link the contributions of English Olympic heroes with God’s bringing his kingdom to England. At a time when people worried about the “dark Satanic mills” of industry corrupting society and nature, the hymn pictured God calling for his shining armor and his chariot of fire as he prepares to battle evil and bring justice and peace to all people.
Look for God’s chariot of fire around you today. Look especially when you feel discouragement and despair overwhelming. God is still active in mighty ways in spite of appearances to the contrary.
Let us pray: Open our eyes, Loving Father, that we might see you working all around us. Send us heroes of faith, unafraid to work for your kingdom, and accept our gifts as well. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry on the "Frontlines" of the world. Frontline Devotions are sent via email daily. Sign up by clicking on the box to the left. Pastor Dave welcomes feedback. Contact him at pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org. |
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