The Sword of the LORD

“From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that He must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took Him, and began to rebuke Him, saying, Be it far from Thee, Lord: this shall not be unto Thee. But He [Jesus] turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind Me, Satan: thou art an offence unto Me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. ” (Matthew 16:21-23).   Toward the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry, He began to teach His disciples about what was waiting for Him in Jerusalem at the hands of the chief priests and scribes.  The Jewish leaders’ hatred for Jesus was at the boiling point and was soon to erupt in violence and lies.  Jesus told His disciples plainly that He was to be killed soon.  He also spoke plainly about His resurrection on the third day after His death.  Without the Holy Spirit’s enlightenment, though, i

In the sixth chapter of 2 Kings is the story of Elisha the prophet and his young servant who both needed deliverance from a great peril that they found themselves in.   God was faithful to His servants and sent a mighty deliverance in a unique and unprecedented way.   God is no less faithful toward you and me today.   When we find ourselves in difficulties, temptations, trials, or great peril; we can rely on the promises that God has given us in Christ Jesus to lead us to victory.   “Then the king of Syria warred against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp.   And the man of God [Elisha the prophet] sent unto the king of Israel, saying, Beware that thou pass not such a place; for thither the Syrians are come down.   And the king of Israel sent to the place which the man of God told him and warned him of, and saved himself there, not once nor twice.” (2 Kings 6:8-10).   The king of Israel at this time was Jehoram, who had