Text: 2 Kings 13:14-25
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.” —Romans 12:11
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Nothing great is ever accomplished without enthusiasm.” Enthusiasm is much more than just emotional hype or positive thinking. The word “enthusiasm” comes from the Greek word “entheos” which means God within. So it can also be translated “the spirit of God within.” No wonder enthusiasm has such a beautiful energy that is infectious to others.
When our enthusiasm tank is low, life becomes drudgery. We get agitated more quickly by the little things. People annoy us more easily, and serving the Lord can start to feel like a burden instead of a gift. No wonder Paul encouraged believers in Rome to “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”
In 2 Kings 13, Elisha had fallen sick with the illness of which he was to die, and King Joash was weeping, not just because a mighty prophet of God was departing this earth, but because he realizes his kingdom is in trouble. His military resources were depleted and his people were on the verge of defeat. Yet Elisha, a man who knew of angel armies—reliable chariots and horseman not made of flesh and blood (2 Kings 2:11–12; 6:8–17)—promises the king a series of victories.
Elisha tells the king of Israel to draw his bow, open the window eastward, and shoot. This would’ve been toward Syria, specifically Aphek, the most strategic site between Damascus and Samaria, and the city where Ahab had defeated the Syrians in earlier battles (1 Kings 20:26). Elisha used this symbolism as an exercise of faith to show the king that the arrow of the LORD’s deliverance was still mighty to save, and all Joash had to do was shoot the arrows in faith. He told Joash to strike the ground with the arrows. The king seemed a bit flippant about Elisha’s command, as he shot off three arrows in mediocre fashion and then quit. He didn’t act in faith with zeal or godly enthusiasm, just cavalier indifference.
The man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck five or six times; then you would have struck down Syria until you had made an end of it, but now you will strike down Syria only three times.” This is one of those “you get back what you put into it” moments. Joash sows in mediocrity and he will reap by underachieving. Surely Joash would’ve seen victories far greater in number had he been more enthusiastically obedient in response to the prophet of God. Instead, scripture tells us that only three times Joash defeated his opponent, thus fulfilling Elisha’s prophecy (v.25).
How can we stay enthusiastic day after day in spite of delays, difficulties, daily stressors, monotonous work, academic loads, and spiritual battles to boot? Positive thinking is insufficient on its own. Hyping yourself into optimism won’t last. We do well to remember that genuine enthusiasm is about God’s energy igniting our spirit, and expressing itself through the mind, will, and emotions.
God is the ultimate sustainer of our enthusiasm. He will help you maintain the passion, the zeal, the fervor, and that “whole hearted” devotion in serving Him faithfully. Our part is to show up in faith, draw our spiritual bow, and aim our lives toward Him in worship. In our own strength we will end up like Joash, feeling defeated and apathetic. But God wants to give us the victory as we lean into His sufficiency with confidence and trust. He promises that those who wait on Him will renew their strength:
He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
And, yes, their enthusiasm shall be renewed as well! If you’ve lost your enthusiasm, resolve that you are going to regain it. Confess any spiritual apathy, negativity, or lukewarmness to which you have succumbed. Ask God to rekindle your enthusiasm. Take action by guarding your mouth from any depressing, self-pitying, or negative talk. Pray the prayer below in your own words, begin speaking God’s Word into your soul daily, and trust that “The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this” (Isaiah 9:7).
PRAYER
Dear God, I don’t want to go another day lacking in enthusiasm, zeal, or spiritual fervor. I don’t want to underachieve as it pertains to your will for my life and my contribution to your kingdom. I offer all that I am as a living sacrifice for you to set on holy fire. Spirit of God, fill me with your passion, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Questions for personal reflection, small group discussion, or dinner table conversations:
- When have you been enthusiastic or passionate about something?
- What was Joash’s demeanor when he came to Elisha? (2 Kings 13:14)
- What symbolic action did Elisha have Joash make, which then became a prophecy? (vv15-17) Why was Elisha angered that Joash only struck three times? (v19)
- How did Joash evidence a lack of faith and enthusiasm in the way he responded to Elisha’s command? How was Elisha’s prophecy of the arrows fulfilled during Joash’s reign?
- In what area of your life would you like more enthusiasm and greater courage to pursue what God has for you to do?
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