Why did you stop? This weekend Pastor Joaquin Pardo closed the year out with a message reminding us not to quit too early.
2 Kings 13:18-19
And he said, “Take the arrows,” and he took them. And he said to the king of Israel, “Strike the ground with them.” And he struck three times and stopped. Then 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.”
The tragedy of this passage isn’t disobedience, it’s partial obedience. The king striked three times but he stopped too soon. And often, the difference between partial victory and complete breakthrough isn’t that we didn’t try. It’s that we aren’t willing to try again.
1) You’re not done yet.
Elisha was on his deathbed. He was weak, tired, and nearing the end, yet God still sends him someone in need of his help. Our usefulness to God has never been tied to our energy, age, weaknesses or specific season, but to our obedience. If you’re still breathing, there is still a purpose for your life. You’re still on assignment!
2) Aim at the target.
Elisha told the king to open the eastern window, the direction of the enemy. Victory requires direction. We don’t overcome what we refuse to face, and we won’t see change if we keep aiming at the wrong things. Prayer and fasting help us face God first, so we can face our fears with clarity and power. Be specific. Be bold. Aim your prayers at what God has put on your heart.
3) Use ALL of your arrows.
Partial obedience is still disobedience.
The king struck the ground three times and stopped. Elisha was angry because he could see something the king ignored — the arrows still left in his hands. God had already supplied more, but the king didn’t use all that was given to him. Partial obedience led to partial victory.
In the same way, God has entrusted each of us with arrows, passions, gifts, resources, opportunities, relationships, and desires meant to be used for His glory.
As we step into the new year, may we be a church that doesn’t stop early, pull back in doubt, or settle for partial breakthrough. Instead, use everything God has given you to pursue all He has promised.
Keep striking. God isn’t done yet.
