Window of Opportunity
Posted by Dion Todd July 1st, 2024 1,412 Views 24 Comments
In 2 Kings chapter 13, King Joash visits the Prophet Elisha. Joash was king of Israel and reigned for sixteen years from 798 to 782 BC. For decades, the Syrians had oppressed and invaded Israel, weakening them.
Elisha the Prophet was a pain to the Syrians. They would make secret plans to ambush Israel, but Elisha would warn them in advance. It is vital to be connected to the prophetic. It was as if Elisha had a microphone in their house.
(2 Kings 6:8–10 NKJV) Now the king of Syria was making war against Israel; and he consulted with his servants, saying, "My camp will be in such and such a place." And the man of God sent to the king of Israel, saying, "Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are coming down there." Then the king of Israel sent someone to the place of which the man of God had told him. Thus he warned him, and he was watchful there, not just once or twice.
(2 Kings 6:11–12 NKJV) Therefore the heart of the king of Syria was greatly troubled by this thing; and he called his servants and said to them, "Will you not show me which of us is for the king of Israel?" And one of his servants said, "None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom."
So, even though King Joash was not very faithful to the Lord, he had a deep respect for Elisha, who had been a prophet for about sixty years by then. When he came to see Elisha, who was ill, Elisha told Joash to take a bow, open the window facing Syria, and shoot an arrow towards them.
(2 Kings 13:15–17 NKJV) And Elisha said to him, "Take a bow and some arrows." So he took himself a bow and some arrows. Then he said to the king of Israel, "Put your hand on the bow." So he put his hand on it, and Elisha put his hands on the king's hands. And he said, "Open the east window"; and he opened it. Then Elisha said, "Shoot"; and he shot. And he said, "The arrow of the LORD's deliverance and the arrow of deliverance from Syria; for you must strike the Syrians at Aphek till you have destroyed them."
Then Elisha told him to take the arrows and strike the ground. He may have shot them out of the window and struck the ground or beat the ground with them, but Joash only did it three times and stopped, and Elisha became angry with him.
(2 Kings 13:18–19 NKJV) Then he said, "Take the arrows"; so he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, "Strike the ground"; so he struck three times, and stopped. And the man of God was angry with him, and said, "You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck Syria till you had destroyed it! But now you will strike Syria only three times."
Joash stopped short of total deliverance. He did half of what was required. Perhaps he got bored and didn't see the point, but we should stay with the last word given until new instructions come. Perhaps Elisha could have told him how many times to strike, but he didn't, and it happened to Joash according to his faith. Half-hearted, half-committed, double-minded, straddling-the-fence attitudes are never rewarded by the Lord. It is a total commitment.
(James 1:5–8 ESV) If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
We find that in all types of work, there comes a point of commitment—a line in the sand when you have to decide whether to go forward and deal with the consequences or back away from it because it is not worth it.
Recently, we were helping our daughter change her SUV's fuel pump and had to drop the gas tank when we ran into rusted, stripped bolts that were very difficult to reach. Do you put it back together or get out the air chisel and commit, knowing this is going to be ugly before it gets better? It took us two days...
When Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on the water with Jesus, knowing that was downright impossible—that was a point of commitment. The opportunity to walk on the water with Jesus would only appear that night and never again. So Peter did the impossible, for nothing is impossible with God.
(Mark 9:23 NKJV) Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes."
The Lord gave Joash an open window and instructions. This window of opportunity had an expiration, and once that time had passed, it was gone forever. Joash shot the arrows at an unseen target without knowing the outcome, which could only be seen by faith, but he stopped short of fulfilling what God would have given him. He did about half of what was required and he received about half in return.
(Mark 4:8 NKJV) But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred."
You can pray this with me if you like:
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for another day. I pray that You help me stay the course and commit to Your plan for me. Help me see beyond the natural and learn to trust You. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Note: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.” (Philippians 4:6-7) ~ If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network
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Nell Neathery commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Window of Opportunity
2 months ago
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for another day. I pray that You help me stay the course and commit to Your plan for me. Help me see beyond the natural and learn to trust You. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
I am glad God has given me many windows of opportunity, most of which I have allowed them and recognized they were from Him! I said "most" but not all of the time. It doesn't happen overnight. I must try and sleep!
Dion Todd added a new video devotional: Window of Opportunity
2 months ago
Window of Opportunity from Refreshing Hope Ministries on Vimeo. In 2 Kings chapter 13, King Joash visits the Prophet Elisha. Joash was king of Israel and reigned for sixteen years from 798 to 782 BC. For decades, the Syrians had oppressed and invaded Israel, weakening them. Elisha the Prophet was a pain to the Syrians. They would make secret plans... Read the full post here: Window of Opportunity
Sylvia Todd commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Window of Opportunity
2 months ago
Good morning, y'all, happy Monday! May the Lord open His doors for you each day 🙏💛!
Sherry Mccosh
2 months ago
Happy Monday, I hope all is good with you and pastor Dion. you are both an incredible blessing to myself and many others!! Thanks for all you do!!
David Krull commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Window of Opportunity
2 months ago
Amen Lord. Though most of my prayers in life, esp on big decisions were unanswered..or I didn’t hear from You or I flat out heard wrong. I trust You God. I know You will never leave me or forsake me. You Living Word says so. You are not a liar. Your Word is true. Forgive me for the times I acted on my own thinking it was You. Open my spiritual eyes and ears so I can see and hear clearly from You and know it is you. Obviously I have been deceived so many times. I love you Jesus. I need you now more than ever. As my health fades.. I need You. I pray for Godly wisdom and revelation knowledge about Your word and in my life. I trust You. Help me Jesus. Your mercies are new every morning. Have mercy on me God. Now another health issue. Crying out to You Lord. My wife and I need several miracles.. you are able..
But God..I praise Your Holy Name. It isn’t based upon what You have or have not done in my life. I praise You for who You are to me.You are God. My Redeemer, my Healer, my Deliver, my Strong Tower in whom I trust. Thank you Jesus for this day and for the life You have given me. My very next breath is a gift from You. As much pain and suffering I endure…I know it could be much worse. Thank you Father. In Jesus Christ Name I pray.
Sherry Mccosh
2 months ago
Amen!! Keep the faith and never ever give up, keep praying and God will see you through this in His own timing!!
Liesel aka lisa Wardle
2 months ago
Amen and Amen, David, every breath we take is a gift from the Lord!!! Prayers for you and your wife! 🙏
Liesel aka lisa Wardle commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Window of Opportunity
2 months ago
And one more thing in addition to my previous comment: Yesterday, was a very tough day taking care of Dorothy, which was actually her first day back home after being discharged from the hospital! She has lost a lot of weight, extremely thirsty, all she wants is to drink, but it goes right through her, and this is the same, when she eats! BUT, she was so very happy to pray with me, especially before I left last night!! We even prayed before she was eating even though . . . So I see the Lord working, even though I'm so hoping and praying to see more positive changes within my own family!!! But, God is God, and nothing is impossible for HIM!! 🙏
Nell Neathery
2 months ago
Much was going through me yesterday. I had to take 2 Immodium twice yesterday. Felt better this morning after feeling so sluggish for a while.
Sherry Mccosh commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Window of Opportunity
2 months ago
Heavenly Father, thank You for another day. I pray that You help me stay the course and commit to Your plan for me. Help me see beyond the natural and learn to trust You. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Schalk De beer commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Window of Opportunity
2 months ago
Yes, amen Lord.
Liesel aka lisa Wardle commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Window of Opportunity
2 months ago
AMEN, Lord Jesus!!! Please Father, help me to stay the course and stay completely committed to Your plan for me, and please help me see beyond all of the many obstacles, problems and hardships within my family, not to sidetrack me and take my focus of You, and learn to completely trust in You, in the name of Jesus, AMEN!!! "Nothing is impossible with God", my God and my redeemer!!! 🙏
Bella Colliander commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Window of Opportunity
2 months ago
Father. please help me to stay the course. Thank you for Your love and forgiveness. Amen!🕊️
Lynn Brown commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Window of Opportunity
2 months ago
May Your will be done in my life, Amen!
Theresa Bright commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Window of Opportunity
2 months ago
Amen. Thank you Father for your guidance, please guide me down the right path in all I do. In Jesus name I pray Amen
Marisa Jackson commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Window of Opportunity
2 months ago
Amen 🙏 ❤️🙏❤️🙏❤️❤️!!
Wanda Pennington commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Window of Opportunity
2 months ago
Heavenly Father, thank You for another day. I pray that You help me stay the course and commit to Your plan for me. Help me see beyond the natural and learn to trust You. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!
Kevin J. Eck commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Window of Opportunity
2 months ago
Father, I pray you help me to stay on your path of Life's journey. To believe and understand when you reveal the supernatural to me. In mighty name of Jesus, Amen!
Debi Burton commented on Dion Todd's blog post: Window of Opportunity
2 months ago
Heavenly Father, thank You for another day. I pray that You help me stay the course and commit to Your plan for me. Help me see beyond the natural and learn to trust You. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen! ❤️🤟🏻