Turnaround Time

Monday, November 11

2 Kings 9:1-3 (NIV)
“The prophet Elisha summoned a man from the company of the prophets and said to him, “Tuck your cloak into your belt, take this flask of olive oil with you and go to Ramoth Gilead. When you get there, look for Jehu son of Jehoshaphat, the son of Nimshi. Go to him, get him away from his companions and take him into an inner room. Then take the flask and pour the oil on his head and declare, ‘This is what the LORD says: I anoint you king over Israel.’ Then open the door and run; don’t delay!”
Devotion

The anointing of Jehu as king was a pivotal time where God was changing the course of the Nation of Israel.
Israel was still under the evil influence of Jezebel, the wife of the former king Ahab, who served Ba’al, hated and persecuted the prophets of God, and was using her sons as puppets to continue to rule. 

Jehu was to bring judgment on the house of Ahab as God was mandating reform in the Nation. However, most importantly He was calling His people to turn back to Him. 
Anointing Jehu to rule was more than a political answer for a nation. It was a time of decision for the people as individuals for they had to make a choice as to whether they would be on the Lord’s side or not.
Pastor Jentezen Franklin shared that the Titanic had 12 warnings to change its course before it hit the iceberg and sank, killing nearly 1500 people. He likened this to God giving the United States another chance, and giving us Christians opportunity to turn our lives around and follow God. 

It is critical that we in gratefulness see the importance of not just going back to life as usual, but to boldly run with the challenge of turning from our evil ways and to follow God in all things. It is time to change course, to repent of any ungodliness and to seek God with all our hearts. It is turnaround time!

Today’s Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,
I confess that I am often quick to see what others need to turn around in their lives, and I can be blind to my own ongoing sin. Oh Lord, let the revival and repentance begin in my own heart and life first. As I read Your Word, worship, and pray, show me the biggest sins and failings in my life that I need to turn around to be a better example and blessing to others. Keep me free from the sins of Jezebel. Keep me free from sexual immorality, including porn. Keep me free from witchcraft and idolatry, including the love of money. Keep me free from drugs and the desire to have undue influence over others. Help me to be more and more like Elisha, a true prophet of God, and less and less like Jezebel and the false prophets who ate at her table. In the Name of Jesus, I Pray. Amen.

Apply It Today

Reading on in today’s passage, the authority was given to Jehu in private, but the result was very public. We were recently encouraged to be consecrated to God – that is to set apart our hearts, minds, and lifestyles with a desire for God’s approval. What are you doing to consecrate yourself to God? This is our part to be prepared to receive the anointing of the Holy Spirit for effectively turning others away from sin and toward Jesus.

Resources:

  • If you missed it, watch this powerfully anointed message from yesterday, “It’s Turnaround Time”. Allow the anointing to come upon you and bring you into your turnaround moment.
  • Read and memorize Psalm 139:23-24, and pray it multiple times each day as you walk in your anointing.