DAY 132 - POOLS OF WATER
CAROLINE KINGRY, KIDS ROCK CURRICULUM LEAD
“…and he said, “This is what the Lord says: This dry valley will be filled with pools of water! You will see neither wind nor rain, says the Lord, but this valley will be filled with water. You will have plenty for yourselves and your cattle and other animals. But this is only a simple thing for the Lord, for he will make you victorious over the army of Moab! You will conquer the best of their towns, even the fortified ones. You will cut down all their good trees, stop up all their springs, and ruin all their good land with stones.” - 2 Kings 3:16-19 NLT
I am weary and tired. Are you? I am a wife, momma of two kiddos and I work full time. I find very little time for myself. I bet you feel the same. Maybe you are a full-time student with a full-time job, or maybe someone who is working 2 or even 3 jobs because Colorado is insanely expensive. Perhaps you are weary because of the constant bombardment of bad news…it is 2020 after all.
When I get super tired and find myself in a season where I am not taking care of myself I notice I get bitter, angry, and become very frustrated with nearly everyone in my life. I snap at my kids for being kids. I nag my husband for doing something “wrong” and the list goes on. It’s a real problem. I was stuck in one of these little seasons recently when I read the above scripture. You know how God uses scripture to hit you like a ton of bricks…yeah, that happened to me. As I read about these three kings in 2 Kings, I knew exactly what God was teaching me.
In 2 Kings chapter 3, we see the kings of Edom, Judah, and Israel combine forces to fight Moab. As they journey toward battle they become weary. In verse 10, one king comments that they are called to the battle and yet they will not win because they are so tired from the journey. Sound familiar? I know I am called. I was chosen to be Josh’s wife. I was chosen to be Kellen and Cora’s mom. I was called into ministry. Yet, I grow weary from the journey.
When they call out to the Lord for wisdom and guidance because they know they are going to lose the battle, Elisha responds on behalf of God. He tells them He will provide water and refreshment for them. That’s it. He didn’t promise to multiply their armies. He didn’t assure them victory if they pray or fast or worship. He told them to drink of the water He will provide and be refreshed. What’s crazier still, He promised them that if they drink and refresh themselves He’ll not only deliver Moab into their hands but every choice city!
Here are my takeaway and my challenge to you. What are you doing to be refreshed by God? What do you need to do? I know for me I MUST wake up before my kiddos to get in my “me” time. Without it, I’m a wife, mom, and coworker no one wants to be around. Sometimes it means a 5:00AM wake up call, but it’s worth every second of it so I can be refreshed by the Lord. Just like the three kings and their armies, perhaps there is even more ground we can take for the Kingdom. When we’re refreshed by God and taking care of ourselves, perhaps our hands can multiply the work we do simply because God has refreshed us. Take care of yourself today, friend! Don’t wait until you’re grumpy and bitter from the weariness!
Lord, thank You for Your Word that teaches, enlightens, and encourages us. As we seek to pursue You today, as we make space to be refreshed by You, would You meet us there? Would you refresh our weary souls so that we can take more ground for Your kingdom – making Heaven more crowded! We love you, Lord! In Jesus’s name, amen!