Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, open my ears to hear what you have to say to me; open my heart to love your word, and open my mind to understand your truth.
A roundabout march in the desert for seven days, no water for themselves or their animals – desperate, tired, hungry and the battle is still to come. It is in this moment of crisis that Jehoshaphat finally asks the question: 'Is there no prophet of the LORD here, that we may enquire of the LORD through him?' (verse 11). Elisha’s angry response: 'What do we have to do with each other? Go to the prophets of your father and the prophets of your mother' (verse 13), is a sign of how bad things have got.
In the time of King David the high priest and the prophets gave the king advice as a matter of course, but here it is a last act of desperation. This is an important moment for Elisha. He has succeeded Elijah and this is his first prophetic interaction with a king. Yet in the midst of the story of kings who have strayed from the covenantal path there remains a glimmer of hope: 'Is there no prophet of the LORD?' The kings have turned their back and failed to do their job, but the prophetic voice has not been forgotten. The embers of God’s covenantal relationship still burned. We see this again and again in Kings. In the midst of a rejection of God, faithfulness endures.
Today you may witness or even experience a rejection of God. Don’t be discouraged! God’s faithfulness and those who follow him will endure.
Lord, thank you that your faithfulness and love for us endure. Bless those who speak and follow your word. Grant them courage and confidence in the face of rejection.
This reflection was written by Stuart Noble, Bible Society’s Director of Strategic Partnerships
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