Elisha was a man of God. He did not speak with a flash of ecstasy. Ten correct guesses make no man a prophet. He was God’s appointed and anointed representative in Samaria.
The name Elisha stood for the name of the Lord. As a sign and symbolic act the prophet had offered his oxen as a sacrifice and used the plough as wood for the altar. He gave up the means of his own livelihood to God. From then on he was responsible TO the Lord and the Lord was responsible FOR Elisha.
The Syrian army heard sounds of a great host coming to rescue Samaria, and they fled in panic and left all their stores behind (2Kings7). The Word of the Lord had performed this.
WHEN GOD SPEAKS IT IS AN EVENT WHICH SETS HISTORY IN MOTION.
It is no use ignoring it, or we do so at our cost. The Gospel is the Word of the Lord, just as much as the word that Elisha spoke. In fact the Gospel is just as much the Word of God as the Word that made the heavens and the earth. God upholds all things by the Word of His power.
The gospel announces His love, and His love is not a mere emotion or declaration, but an unchangeable act, the act of Calvary. The gospel is “not in word only but in power”.
“The Gospel IS THE POWER OF GOD…” because it is the Word of the Lord.
Be blessed.
REINHARD BONNKE