What steps can we take to ensure we seek God first in times of trouble? Setting the Scene: A King in Crisis 2 Kings 5:8 gives us a vivid picture: “When Elisha the man of God heard that the king of Israel had torn his clothes, he sent word to the king: ‘Why have you torn your clothes? Please let him come to me, and he will know that there is a prophet in Israel.’” The king panicked when Naaman’s impossible request arrived. Ripping his robes displayed despair, not faith. Elisha’s calm message redirected attention from human helplessness to God’s sufficiency. This verse teaches that the first move in trouble is never panic; it is turning immediately to the Lord. Key Lessons Drawn from the Text • Panic blinds; faith re-focuses. • God already has a spokesperson ready—Elisha—before the crisis peaks. • “Come to me” highlights that God invites us to approach Him, not stay in anxiety. • Recognition of “a prophet in Israel” reminds us that God actually speaks and acts in real time. Five Practical Steps to Seek God First 1. Pause and Refuse the Panic • The king tore his clothes; Elisha remained steady. • Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.” • Make a habit of stopping, breathing, and remembering who God is. 2. Present the Need Directly to God • Philippians 4:6: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” • Verbally hand the situation to the Lord before you phone a friend, draft a plan, or scroll for answers. 3. Pursue God’s Word and God’s People • Elisha represented God’s Word to the king; Scripture fills that role for us today. • Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart… in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” • Stay under solid teaching, ask mature believers to counsel you, and open the Bible expecting guidance. 4. Practice Immediate Obedience • Naaman would soon learn that healing comes by humble obedience (vv. 10-14). • James 1:5 pairs with obedience: ask for wisdom, then act on what God shows you. • Delayed obedience is quiet disobedience; do the next right thing God reveals. 5. Prioritize God’s Kingdom Above the Outcome • Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” • The “things” include solutions, peace, and clarity, but they follow—not precede—kingdom focus. • Measure success by God’s glory, not merely crisis resolution. Living It Out Today • Keep a “panic-to-prayer” trigger: the moment you feel your heart race, whisper, “Lord, I come to You first.” • Anchor your mornings in Scripture so God’s voice is familiar before trouble speaks. • Maintain a short obedience loop: hear God, obey quickly, watch Him work. • Share testimonies of God’s faithfulness; they reinforce seeking Him first the next time trouble knocks. Seek Him first, and like Naaman, you will discover that God not only handles the crisis but also deepens your faith in the process. |
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