Establishing God's kingdom around us

Today I will be continuing the lesson on establishing God’s kingdom. Yesterday I wrote about establishing the kingdom “within” us. The outward working of the kingdom comes as we partner with God’s plans for us. This morning I was led to read about Jehoash, the king of Israel (2 Kings 13:14-20). Johoash was king during the time of Elisha, and sought Elisha before the prophet’s death. During his visit, Elisha instructed the king to take up a bow and arrow and shoot out through his east window. Elisha placed his hands on the king’s hands and together they shot the arrow out the window. This prophetic action symbolized king Jehoash’s victory over his enemy, the Arameans.

Next Elisha instructed king Jehoash to strike the ground with arrows. The king struck three times, indicating three battle victories. Elisha lamented “You should have struck the ground five or six times; then you would have defeated Aram and completely destroyed it. But now you will defeat it only three times.” Total victory did not come until a later king, Jeroboam II. After the Jehoash’s visit, Elisha died.

This story is an example to us, as the Old Testament scriptures often are (Rom 15:4; 1 Cor 10:6 & 11). We face an unseen enemy, but our battles are real in this life. Just like king Johoash we have been given authority, and the Word of the Lord to us is that we will be more than conquerors (Rom 8:28-39). We may be facing hardship, perils, illnesses, or struggles against personal impurity. There are false brethren and false teachings . . . so many battles that, if we were to face them all at once, we might lose heart. Though there are many battles that make up a total victory, God gives us help in the times of our troubles (Ps 46:1).

For king Jehoash, Elisha was his help. Elisha’s hands upon the king’s hands symbolized God’s governance over the matters of the kingdom, directing Jehoash to victory for Israel. Just as the Lord gives us a Word of victory and guides us in our struggles, so the Lord gave Jehoash victory according to the king’s arrow strikes; three times the battles were won. However, there would be more than three battles to gain the total victory. The opportunity for further ground strikes was not given, and Elisha the prophet died.

When the Lord is with us in our times of trouble we feel secure, as if that is how it always will be. Surely since the Lord spoke victory over us we believe we will prevail against our enemies. Yet there are those days when it takes more enthusiasm, yes, genuine zeal to win our battles. I have met Christians that stopped drinking but continued smoking, and died of cancer. I have met Christians who have stopped looking at pornography yet still lusted with their eyes, and fell in adultery. Though God directs us towards victory, our heart has to be united in the efforts against the enemy. Perhaps that is what the Lord was looking for when Elisha asked the king to strike the arrows on the ground; a heart dedicated to winning each battle. If we find compromise in our hearts we need to set aside any secondary gain we might want from our enemy. The pleasures of this life will undermine the zeal with which we enter our battles, and we will lose.

When a man succeeds in winning his personal battles the Lord will join him with others in doing exploits for His kingdom (Dan 11:32b). It is God’s hope that we will win over the earth’s kingdoms for the Lord, and Jesus works in us for this purpose (1 Cor 15:24-25). During these battles we find ourselves facing huge issues in our churches, and in Christianity as a whole. If our hearts have not been tried and proven victorious in our personal battles, then we will fail in the corporate battles. We will betray our brethren for pre-eminence. We will intimidate and hinder those whom God would use so that we can be in control . . . and the list goes on.

Those who do not have the heart to win the personal battles appointed to them will cause the greater battles to be lost. The prophet Malachi speaks of a time of distinction appointed to God’s servants, where those who fear the Lord and honor His name will discern “between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.” (Mal 3:17-18) On the heels of discernment comes healing and freedom. What follows is victory as God’s people “trample down the wicked.” (Mal 4:2-3).

The Apostle Paul speaks of this same victory when he writes that “The God of peace will soon crush satan under your feet.” (Rom 16:20) He is writing to the Romans about people who “are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naïve people.” (Rom 16:18). The distinction between those who served the Lord, and those who served themselves was made apparent by Paul’s letter to the Romans. The letter was like Elisha’s hands upon the king’s as he shot the arrow. Paul directed the saints in Rome towards victory, yet the battle was theirs to fight.

God promises us discernment because we will need it. He will not leave us during our battles, but without discernment we will fail to win victory. A heart intent on winning against corporate enemies of the Church will welcome God’s keen eye. But a man whose heart is intent on preservation of his life and its comforts will not lay himself down to the hard battles won only by the counsel of discernment. He will preserve destructive relationships for the promise of promotion and financial gain, and betray the faithful to secure his own position. When the Lord places us in the position of receiving discernment, He is directing us towards victory. Yet it is a solemn testing ground wherein we make the decision to serve God and leave our own agendas behind.

Many of the battles to establish God’s kingdom are lost because the inner kingdom’s battles have not yet been won in the hearts of His people. Today let us to be enthusiastic, yes, zealous for victory against our enemy. Then we will see the changes we are looking for around us as God’s kingdom’s victories work outward. Amen.