Do the Work First

Has there ever been a time in your life when you set out to do the work, accomplish something important for God, without consulting God about it first?

Perhaps you had good intentions, only to find yourself in a predicament that could have been avoided if you’d checked in with God before starting?

Well, I sure have. Many times.

But, you know, we aren’t the only ones who put the cart before the horse, as my mother might say. The Bible is filled with stories of people who set out on one thing or the other without consulting God about it first, and ended up with disastrous results.

1 and 2 Kings are full of such stories. There is a story in 2 Kings 3 that proves that point. It is a story about an alliance between the king of Israel and the king of Judah. These men banded together to fight against their common enemy Moab. As with much of the Old Testament, I find this story interesting.

However, by the time the story ends, these kings find themselves in a desperate situation. All because they did not consult God about their plans first.

Unprepared

During the reign of King Joram, in the northern tribes of Israel, and the reign of King Jehoshaphat, in the southern tribes of Judah, the people of Moab rebelled against King Joram. They refused to continue paying tribute to Israel. As a result, King Joram asked King Jehoshaphat to help him in his fight against the Moabites.

King Jehoshaphat agreed. Along with men from Edom, these three armies set out to fight Moab.

Unfortunately, after the armies traveled seven days in the wilderness, they ran out of water for themselves and for their animals.

After they realized they had no water, and no water source was in sight, King Jehoshaphat suggested they consult God’s prophet, Elisha, to learn what they should do.

Do the Work Dig the Trenches

When they approached Elisha with their problem, he snarled at King Joram. The prophet told the king to go consult the pagan prophets of his parents. No love lost there.

Finally, though, Elisha was persuaded to seek God’s counsel. The only reason being the fact that King Jehoshaphat was among those who asked.

The men wouldn’t see the rain, but the valley would be divinely filled with water, nonetheless.

Obedience Before Deliverance

To alleviate their problem, the men first had to do the work. They had to dig the trenches before the Lord would provide. Trusting in God’s promise must come first. Once their belief was proven through the men’s actions, the Lord provided for their need.

It may have seemed silly to pause their quest to dig the trenches without the proof of rain.

Their deliverance came only after the men did their part first.

It was only then that God provided what the men needed to complete their mission.

This reminds me of Noah. The people at that time had never seen rain. They had no concept of it. Still, in obedience, Noah did as God commanded in preparation for the mighty flood which would destroy the world.

Without hesitation, Noah built an ark to protect himself, his family, and the animals of the world. Right down to the smallest detail.

Noah did the work first. He built the ark. As promised, God protected all the inhabitants of the ark when he unleashed his fury against sinful humanity with the flood.

Our Dry Valleys

Sometimes, it may seem as if our life is one big dry valley with no rain in sight. Nothing is growing. Everything is parched and dying. It’s a barren wasteland.

I believe that’s how King Joram and King Jehoshaphat may have felt. Before God caused the rain to fall, the men had to trust God’s promise, do the hard work, and dig the trenches to hold the promised water. After they were obedient, God provided for their needs.

Providing the rain was an easy task for God. However, the men needed to do their part first.

Could it be that during our dry valley times, there is something God wants us to do first in preparation for his blessings?

Maybe an attitude or habit needs to be adjusted?

Perhaps we need to shift our attention to a certain area we’re missing?

Is there something we need to give up before God blesses our work?

Could it be we are unwilling to step out in faith to what God’s calling us to without seeing results first?

A lot of questions, but from this story we see the first necessary thing to accomplish is ask God for direction. That was something King Joram and King Jehoshaphat didn’t do.

Your Turn

Before we undertake any tasks worth doing for God, don’t you think we should be like Elisha and consult God for direction first?

Once we receive God’s direction, it’s time to do the work. It’s time to dig the trenches in preparation for the rain God will provide to fill our drought-stricken valleys.

Where have you seen God fill in your dry trenches?

“The Lord says to fill this dry valley with trenches to hold the water he will send. You won’t see wind nor rain, but this valley will be filled with water, and you will have plenty for yourselves and for your animals! But this is only the beginning, for the Lord will make you victorious over the army of Moab! 2 Kings 3:16-18 TLB

Here is a post on obedience by Norma Gail you might want to check out.

I wish you well.

Sandy

Photos courtesy Pixabay.

Tweet