KBM One Can Make An Impact

We are continuing our study on the theme, “Impact 3:16.” Last week we studied 1 Kings 3:16 “The Sword & The King” and in our scrutiny of the scriptures today we find ourselves examining the text from 2 Kings 3:16. Here we find an interesting account of three kings working together that, typically in history, simply did not happen often. In 2 Kings 3 we under the “divided kingdom” era of Israel which started when Solomon’s son Rehoboam became king and split the kingdom due to him foolishly listening to his friends advice instead of his wiser counselors advice. The chapter begins by pointing out that Jehoram, son of the infamous King Ahab & Queen Jezebel, became king of Israel, the Northern Kingdom, and was quickly put to the test by Mesha the king of Moab. Mesha was supposed to deliver his owed tribute but instead rebelled against the new king of Israel. So, we read, Jehoram sought the king of Judah, Jehoshaphat’s help, in correcting this slight, as well as the king of Edom and it was agreed to. So these three kings and their armies set out to punish Mesha. We read in 2 Kings 3:9-10…

2 Kings 3:9–10 ESV

9 So the king of Israel went with the king of Judah and the king of Edom. And when they had made a circuitous march of seven days, there was no water for the army or for the animals that followed them. 10 Then the king of Israel said, “Alas! The Lord has called these three kings to give them into the hand of Moab.”

The word circuitous simply means a long and winding, and as such we find our three kings, their armies, and their animals without water. Here we see the king of Judah, Jehoshaphat seek a prophet from God for help in verse 11.

As it turns out there was a prophet, Elisha, however, he was not liked by the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Elisha was by no means a fan of the king of Israel either (2 Kings 3:13). However, because Jehoshaphat was faithful to the Lord in his reign (1 Kings 22:41-50) Elisha tells the three kings God will provide water for them. Let’s read this exchange in 2 Kings 3:14-16.

2 Kings 3:14–16 ESV

14 And Elisha said, “As the Lord of hosts lives, before whom I stand, were it not that I have regard for Jehoshaphat the king of Judah, I would neither look at you nor see you. 15 But now bring me a musician.” And when the musician played, the hand of the Lord came upon him. 16 And he said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘I will make this dry streambed full of pools.’

As we see here in our text, “One Can Make An Impact.” There are going to be times when we are not surrounded by friends, family, and those that love God and want to obey him. When these situations arise, whether at school, work, or home we must understand that we still “can have an impact” for God. That God will help his faithful “always.” I want you never to forget the promise of God in Romans 8:28.

Romans 8:28 ESV

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

If we live for God, seek him first, and put him first he will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5) and if God is on our side we will have an impact on the lives of others around us. Just one can make an impact.