Familiarity with the ‘Holy’ (Part 6)

Today’s Scripture Threshing for Thursday, April 11, 2019

Today’s Text: 2 Kings 5:15-27

Key Verse: 2 Kings 5:25 (ESV): “He went in and stood before his master, and Elisha said to him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?” And he said, “Your servant went nowhere.”

This chapter of 2 Kings presents us with two characters that stood before the prophet. We have seen how the distant Syrian, in his heart, degraded the man of God, misjudged his action, and despised his commands. Further to Naaman’s action is another revelation of a closer Gehazi, whom we may refer to as an associate pastor or any other front seat minister today.

The end Gehazi’s story is a great lesson to anyone involved in ministry to beware of hypocritical service and false life. He was guilty of the sin of familiarity with the holy because, though he saw how God reveals almost everything to Elisha, he still thought the prophecy could not see under his own nose.

He was his right hand man, observing the ministry of this most amazing prophet from close quarters; he witnessed most miracles done by Elisha; he knew how he had received a double portion of God’s Spirit; he watched him reveal the secret plans of Syrian kings—yet, his closeness and familiarity with the prophet, and the service around the altar deceived him to his detriment.

He was already blessed and advantaged. He was elevated to an assistant prophet. He was part of most miracles. We could see his innovations and initiatives—only if he had behaved himself, he was close to Elisha’s double portion anointing. But a different spirit was found in him, which brought him double portion leprosy instead.

Gehazi’s story speaks directly to those of us who spend most of our time with the Holy things of God. We must give careful thoughts to our inner urge and motivations. We must beware of slipping into the danger of “familiarity with the Holy.”

Quote for the Day: “Familiarity does not just attract punishment, it detracts and deprives us of great divine provisions. Gehazi’s sin attracted Naaman’s leprosy, but it also cost him his privileged front-row seat in God’s wonderful move of signs and wonders.” (Simon Olatunji)

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to walk worthy before you. Never let the greed of Gehazi, and the spirit that scorns your holy things be ever found in me, in Jesus name. Amen.

With all my Love and Prayer,

Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, PhD

The Darling Bishop (DaBishop),

2321 S Belt Line Rd., Suite 144,

Grand Prairie TX 75051 USA

Email: reachingout@hopeforallnations.org

BBMme: E3F988D2

[Today’s Scripture Threshing is a devotional guide of The House of Prayer Evangel Church USA. Feel free to use it in your family altar and personal quiet times; and to contact us for further enquiry, help and partnership.]

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