Keep Striking the Ground

Have you ever left a ballgame early because you figured it was over? The score was so lopsided that there was no way your team was coming back to win the game?  But then you hear later they did just that and won the game? Stink– I quit on my team and left too soon.

Elisha said, “Get a bow and some arrows,” and he did so. “Take the bow in your hands,” he said to the king of Israel. When he had taken it, Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands. “Open the east window,” he said, and he opened it. “Shoot!” Elisha said, and he shot. “The Lord’s arrow of victory, the arrow of victory over Aram!” Elisha declared. “You will completely destroy the Arameans at Aphek.” Then he said, “Take the arrows,” and the king took them. Elisha told him, “Strike the ground.” He struck it three times and stopped. The man of God was angry with him and said, “You should have struck the ground five or six times; then you would have defeated Aram and completely destroyed it. But now you will defeat it only three times.” – 2 Kings 13:15-19

Jehoash the King of Israel went to see Elisha to pay respects as he became very ill and to seek his wise counsel. The king was scared that his enemies were pressing in on all sides of Israel and was going to overtake him. As far as he could see to the North, South, East & West his empire was collapsing. Exasperated and feeling overwhelmed, I sensed he was paralyzed not knowing what to do next. Elisha encouraged him to keep fighting and not to give up. He tells him to visualize his victory, get & shoot his arrows, and strike the ground. So Jehoash springs into action and does just that; however, Jehoash was never told to stop striking the ground, and as a result, is eventually defeated and overcome. The victory was his if he would have finished task and shot all of his arrows. I find it really hard to keep going when I don’t know the finish line.

Wow what a lesson for me.

• Can’t lose the Weight? Not three but strike the ground five or six times.
• Praying for a Prodigal child? Not three but strike the ground five or six times.
• Keep leaving messages for that C-level exec? Not three but strike the ground five or six times.
• Short of your Fundraising goals? Not three but strike the ground five or six times.

I could have kept going. I would have defeated that enemy but stopped short. I should have kept striking the ground. Don’t live a life of should’ves, would’ves and could’ves. Quitting is not an option. Live without regret.

Reflect |

What battle are you in now that you need to keep striking the ground?