“Then it happened, when the musician played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him. And he said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Make this valley full of ditches.’ For thus says the Lord: ‘You shall not see wind, nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water….” ~ II Kings 3:15-18
REFERENCE:
The kings of Israel and Judah, Jehoram and Jehoshaphat, allied to fight against the Moabites to crush their rebellion. After a session of military strategy and projection, they concluded that they would make an incursion on Moab through the wilderness of Edom. The journey kept them for seven days in this wasteland; the lack of water spelled doom for the soldiers and the animals. They would have water, but it would be by worship in the wilderness.
Looking at the desperate situation, King Jehoram concluded that God had brought them into the wilderness to kill them. King Jehoshaphat instead asked for a prophet of God to give them direction. He was confident that getting direction from God is critical in such times. Elisha came highly recommended as Elijah’s protégé and a mouthpiece for God. Elisha promptly came.
On arrival, Elisha rebuked Jehoram for his idolatry. He would only consult God because he respected the person of Jehoshaphat. He proposed a robust protocol that would miraculously fetch God’s word from heaven and water for them. The protocol was, “Bring me a musician.” That is a minstrel, a worshipper who could play and sing to a stringed instrument. When the minstrel began to sing, God’s hand came upon Elisha and gave him a word of direction.
In that atmosphere of worship, God’s instruction came; “Make the valley full of ditches. You shall not see wind, nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water.” Worship in the wilderness released water for the two kings and their armies, and God gave them victory. The heavens opened through worship, and the God who inhabits our praises did wonders.
Have you been in a wilderness of lack, fear, hopelessness, frustration, or stagnation? Things around you may have closed up, but open your mouth and worship God. Worship makes God big; it opens the heavens, excites God, releases His word of revelation, and provokes His mighty hand to move. Don’t let your wilderness steal your worship; it is the key to your plenty. Let your worship rise no matter how bad things get; God will give you water. You may not see wind or rain, but your worship in the wilderness will produce waters of blessings and plenty.
PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL TEXTS:
Psalm 22:3, I Samuel 16:23, and Ephesians 5:18-19
PRAYERS:
+ Spend time worshiping God this morning. Magnify His name and declare His greatness. Worship Him in the beauty of holiness, declaring His covenant names.
+ Say, “Lord, as I give you worship in my wilderness, let my waste places become a fruitful land; let my wilderness become a pool of waters; let the heavens rain upon me, and give me rest.”
