Listening to Others

Scripture: When Jehu had returned to his master’s servants, one said to him, “Is all well? Why did this madman come to you?” And he said to them, “You know this man and his babble.” They said, “A lie! Tell us.” Then he said, “Thus and thus he spoke to me, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord: I am anointing you king over Israel.’” Then they hurried. Each took his clothes, put them under him on the bare stairs, and blew a horn, saying, “Jehu is king.” So Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi, conspired against Joram. Joram had been guarding Ramoth Gilead, he and all Israel, because of Hazael king of Aram. But King Joram had returned to be healed in Jezreel from the wounds with which the Arameans had stricken him when he fought with Hazael king of Aram. So Jehu said, “If this be your minds, let no fugitive exit the city to go tell Jezreel.” 2 Kings 9:11-15 

Observation: After a prophet, commissioned by Elisha, anoints Jehu as king of Israel, he at first brushes it off. However, his companions see the truth of the matter, celebrate his appointment, and then it is they who take the first actions to vanquish Joram. Ultimately, Jehu not only leads the coup, but quotes from the prophesies of Elijah about the downfall of Joram (knowing even which family plot of land the line of Ahab would end in), and the death of Jezebel (stating how she would be devoured by dogs).

Jehu is attempting to return to God, and certainly is learned enough about the words or Elijah to conclude that he is part of the faithful remnant still following God in Israel. However, while he seems to have taken the words of the unnamed prophet who anointed him to heart, he was not quite ready to actually believe in faith and proceed as the new king ... until others reinforced what he had been told and took action. Once they did, he was all-in.

Application: Is there someone I should be listening to? Is there someone who is near me - maybe not a friend, but someone around me - who has a word of faith to reinforce what God tells me to do?

First, it would be nice to have some clear calling to a specific action. Jehu's calling was pretty darn clear ... a prophet showed up, dumped an entire bottle of olive oil on him, and pronounced him king. The fact Jehu knew what to do next based on his knowledge of God's word - wipe out the damage done by Ahab and Jezebel - is obvious, but he needed others to ignite the spark of his knowledge and faith through their reinforcing response.

What is my call? To seek to transform lives and behavior within the government organization I work. Who around me is reinforcing that call? No one. In fact, there have been setbacks in that regards. It is frustrating, and it often leaves me alone and insecure.

Prayer: Lord, I wish I wasn't alone here. Sometimes I see a flicker of hope in others. However, more often I am restricted from what I wish I could do. I am also accountable, as I get distracted from my true mission in life to focus on "the job" here on earth. Please help me focus on the kingdom goals, and your purposes, where I am every day. And a little reinforcement would be nice. Amen.