"Lift it out," he said. Then the man reached out his hand and took it. – 2 Kings 6:7

Today's Scripture Reading (March 9, 2026): 2 Kings 6

I am not sure why, but I receive political emails from both the political right and the left. At some point, and I really don't remember, I must have signed up for something. And to be honest, they both frustrate me. One of the reasons for my frustration is that both sides are trying to convince me of things that just aren't true. I really do believe that the correct political path for the nation is found somewhere in the center. These emails, however, are always trying to cast the other side on the radical right or left, a place where some exist, but not as many as we are often led to believe.

One of these emails contained a poll. And the poll question was "I am going to vote for (Political Party) and for sanity in our politics." The second option was "I am comfortable with out-of-control policies of the (other Political Party)." I quickly voted for the out-of-control option in frustration and sent my vote back in. If you don't really want to know, or you don't want to take a serious look at our political problems, then stop asking the question.

The reality is that we need to take a stand for what is correct and moral in our politics. And that reality sometimes means voting for sanity, even if it runs counter to our political leanings. I admit I have recently voted against my political beliefs because I have felt the party's leadership in my comfort zone had leaned too far to the extreme. However, I do believe that we all have a responsibility to do something. Vote not just in your comfort zone, but because a party is willing to address issues that are relevant to where we live our lives—protest, especially if the government is involved in something that goes against your sense of morality. Write your representative. These people are ruling in our place, and they need to know we are paying attention to their actions. What is right will not be done automatically. Every politician I know (well, almost) will do something stupid if they believe we are not willing to participate in the process. If you are silent, then those who are vocal will shape our nation.

We read this story of Elisha, and we get caught up in the description of the piece of wood that Elisha throws in the water, which seemed to allow the ax head to float. Like many other rods and sticks in the Bible, it is just a sign of a miracle that God was about to perform. God could have lifted the ax head out of the water and placed it into the hand of the man who had lost it. But he didn't do that; he made it float. Which meant the man who lost it still had to get wet, get into the water, and grab the ax head for himself. God will move, but usually only if we are willing to move and meet him partway. If we want God to move in our lives or in our nation, we need to meet him halfway and be involved in what is correct and moral. God can make the ax head float, but we will still have to get wet.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 7

Now bands of raiders from Aram had gone out and had taken captive a young girl from Israel, and she served Naaman’s wife. – 2 Kings 5:2

Today’s Scripture Reading (March 8, 2026): 2 Kings 5

On October 7, 2023, Hamas, supported by several Palestinian militant groups, attacked from the Gaza Strip into the Gaza envelope in Southern Israel. In the process of this attack, not only were over 1000 people killed, including over 300 civilians who were attending a music festival, but Hamas took over 250 people hostage. In doing so, they joined a long tradition of countries that have committed a border raid and brought hostages home with them. There are several reasons for taking prisoners. In the case of the Hamas attack, it was to gain some leverage over Israel. In this case, ordinary people were taken to gain that leverage. At other points in history, it has been relatives of those in power, blackmailing kings into actions they would not have taken if it weren’t for the hostages that had been taken. At other times, hostages have been taken to enforce a peace treaty; after all, you might not want to wage war with me if I have placed your brother or sister in the line of fire.

At other times, it was to gain enslaved people for some sort of work. What we sometimes miss about the North American Slave Trade is that the White Slave Dealers who went to Africa to get slaves to sell in the Caribbean and Southern United States usually didn’t go into Africa to get their slaves. It was often the Africans who went into the continent and captured the future slaves. These captured people were often from enemy or weaker tribes, and the trade made some Africans rich while destroying the lives of others. The White Slavers piloted their boats into certain ports, or sometimes islands off the east coast of Africa, where they could buy these enslaved people to be sold for a profit on the other side of the Atlantic.

It is an ancient practice. Hostages have been taken for various purposes throughout human history. As long as there have been people in power, there have been people who were willing to use that power to make money off of those who were weaker.

The raiders of Aram seem to fit into this last territory. They aren’t worried about kidnapping important hostages to sway the actions of a government; they want to enslave people to sell. And during this raid, they grab a young girl from her home and away from her family, who no doubt mourned her loss, and took her back to Aram, eventually selling her to the house of Naaman, where she served his wife.

If we stop here, it is a sad story. Parents, other relatives, and friends sadly remembered her for years after her disappearance. And yet God was still able to use her for an important purpose. The truth we often miss is that God doesn’t care how much power we might have. He can use us wherever we are, as long as we allow him to work through us.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 6

"About this time next year," Elisha said, "you will hold a son in your arms." "No, my lord!" she objected. "Please, man of God, don't mislead your servant!" – 2 Kings 4:16

Today's Scripture Reading (March 7, 2026): 2 Kings 4

An episode of the dramedy M*A*S*H, entitled "Captains Outrageous," chronicles the trials of the company priest, Father Mulcahy, to secure a promotion to Captain. The episode first aired on December 10, 1979. Mulcahy tries to contain his disappointment every time the promotions list comes out, only to find his name isn't on it. However, all of his friends know how much the spiritual leader wants a promotion. The promotion won't change the priest's job at the M*A*S*H, but it will be recognition that he is doing a good job, and sometimes, we all need that kind of encouragement.

Colonel Potter, the company commander, decides to take the bull by the horns and sends a letter to the promotion board that repeatedly uses the word "outstanding" to describe the priest's work. Company clerk Max Klinger takes it upon himself to read the letter of recommendation to Father Mulcahy, but Mulcahy is trying hard not to raise his expectations. After all, he has gone through this dance before; he has repeatedly thought this would be the time for his promotion, and when his name is not on the list, he has felt the crushing disappointment.   

Potter assures his priest that this time the promotion is in the bag, only for the army to lose Mulcahy's file. And, once again, it looks like Mulcahy will be left off the promotions list. Colonel Potter is in a panic and pulls out all the stops to get the promotion through, commenting that his priest starts his prayers with "while I'm in the neighborhood."

The Shunammite woman has sought out Elisha, not because she needed anything, but because she wanted to do something to help Elisha's ministry. She is a woman of affluence, so she needs little. She opens her home to him, prepares meals for him, and even builds a room for the priest on her roof. But there is something in her life she has longed for that has never happened. She has no son, and her husband is old.

So, Elisha calls the woman to him and promises her a son by this time next year. The Shunammite woman responds by asking Elisha not to say that. She has hoped for years, but she still doesn't have a child to hold in her hands. And she doesn't want to get her hopes up. The reaction is very similar to Father Mulcahy's before the promotion. And it is close to how we feel when we have struggled with disappointment over the things of life.

Yet, we, along with the Shunammite woman to whom Elisha is speaking, need to remember that our God can still do anything if we will have a mustard seed's worth of faith and a smattering of hope. And if we are disappointed, God can give us the strength to handle it and go on with the life that is in front of us. But sometimes when we least expect it, God moves to remind us of how important we are to Him.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 5

"By what route shall we attack?" he asked. "Through the Desert of Edom," he answered. – 2 Kings 3:8

Today's Scripture Reading (March 6, 2026): 2 Kings 3

On August 2, 1914, German troops entered Luxembourg and Belgium. Both countries had declared their neutrality in the early days of World War I. Germany had requested free passage through the two territories, but both countries denied Germany access to their land. The problem that Germany faced was that the quickest way to Paris was from the north through Belgium. German strategists had determined that victory in World War I depended on defeating France quickly, so they needed to attack France from the north. The Germans hoped that the other nations would ignore the violation of Luxembourg and Belgium's territories. That didn't happen. The United Kingdom, which had also declared its neutrality, found that the violation of Belgian territory was a bridge too far and entered the war on the side of France.

Germany's move made sense. Between the terrain and France's military build-up on the German-French border, the easier option was to move through Luxembourg and Belgium, if only the rest of the world had allowed that strategy to happen. But they didn't, and taking the route through Belgium might have cost Germany the war, but who knows what might have happened if Germany had taken the harder path to Paris, attacking from the German border to the east of the French Capital.

Moab has been paying tribute to Israel under Ahab's rule. However, after the death of Ahab, Moab decides that this might be the time to break the hold that Israel has on them. Joram takes his father's throne and doesn't want to appear weak before the nations of the world. But he also has no military experience, so he does something that is sometimes very hard for any of us. He asks for help. He asks Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, whether he will support him as Jehoshaphat had supported his father, Ahab, and whether Jehoshaphat has any advice on the route they should take to reach Moab. Israel had a border with Moab in the north. However, Jehoshaphat invites Joram to come through Judah, traveling around the southern end of the Dead Sea, and then through the desert territory of Edom to attack Moab from the south, something that Moab might not be expecting. Unlike Belgium in the First World War, Edom was already paying tribute to Judah, so it was not in any position to stop or oppose this move, if it even knew it was happening.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 4

When the LORD was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were on their way from Gilgal. – 2 Kings 2:1

Today’s Scripture Reading (March 5, 2026): 2 Kings 2

Many years ago, I worked in a local pharmacy. Part of the job was receiving all the advertising materials that went along with selling various companies' products. Advertising campaigns could be complex or exceedingly simple. I remember one year, Hallmark Cards sent out advertising that included one simple statement: “Christmas, December 25.” I admit, we mocked Hallmark that year. “Did you know Christmas falls on December 25 this year?” “I wonder when New Year's is this year? I’m sure Hallmark will send us advertising to tell us.”

The dates for Easter and related special celebrations might shift through late March or early April. Thanksgiving in the United States has been on the fourth Thursday of November since 1941, so the actual date changes, but Turkey Day is always on or between November 22 and 28. In Canada, Thanksgiving always falls on the second Monday, which again is always between a certain set of calendar days. Some special dates remain fixed every year. Christmas, regardless of the Hallmark advertising, is always on December 25. New Year’s Eve always falls on December 31. These dates never change. And I have friends who are already actively preparing for next Christmas Day, which will once again happen on December 25. They anticipate it. And they annoy me with social media posts throughout the year, letting me know how many sleeps are left before Christmas.

It appears that Elijah’s departure from the earth was a well-known event. We aren’t quite sure how so many people knew, but it was expected. Elisha knew that this was the last day for his friend, as did the prophets in Jericho. There were probably others. Something was going to happen on this day. Even Elijah seemed to understand that something special was about to take place.

It was a time like no other. Enoch also appears to have just disappeared without enduring death. Genesis states that, “Enoch walked faithfully with God; then he was no more, because God took him away” (Genesis 5:24). But the event with Enoch doesn’t seem to have been prophesied. The prophecy of being taken away was something that only Elijah experienced. The Prophet had fulfilled his task, and now he was passing the mantle of leadership on to those who would follow him, including his friend Elisha.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 3

Elijah answered the captain, "If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty men!" Then fire fell from heaven and consumed the captain and his men. – 2 Kings 1:11

Today's Scripture Reading (March 4, 2026): 2 Kings 1

I remember the brother of one of my friends somehow came to believe that the firetrucks that roamed the city were setting the devastating fires that occasionally broke out wherever people gathered. After all, back in the day, we called these people "firemen," a term that's politically incorrect today. What he couldn't figure out was why the police didn't arrest these men. I mean, they advertise their presence with a siren and drive around in big red trucks. How much easier could it be to arrest these people who are responsible for the destruction and even death of so many people every year?

When I was a young teen, the water heater at my girlfriend's house blew up, burning down the house. I heard the news on the radio while delivering my early morning papers. It was a weird moment to hear the news on the radio, and then receive a panic phone call from my friend before I left for school. The family all survived the incident without injury, but it was a traumatic moment even for me, who lived half a city away. On that day, I was thankful for the firefighters who answered the call in the wee hours of the morning and rescued my friend and her family.

Sometimes I wonder if Elijah had an unhealthy relationship with fire; after all, it was fire that he called down on the sacrifice on Mount Carmel in his battle with the prophets of Ba'al and Asherah. On the day that Elijah was taken up into heaven in a whirlwind, can anyone say tornado, or "I don't think we are in Kansas anymore," it was horses and a chariot of fire that separated Elijah from his lieutenant, Elisha.

As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11).

Here, fire comes down from heaven and consumes the soldiers who came to take Elijah into custody. Some have questioned Elijah's actions here. Did these soldiers really deserve to die? It is a good question, but probably directed at the wrong person.

Ahaziah has fallen, and he has sent for foreign priests to tell him if he will live. But his messengers are intercepted by Elijah, who wants to know why they are going to question a foreign god to find out if the Israelite King will live. And because of their lack of faith, Elijah gives them the answer: no. The messengers returned to Ahaziah, who then sent his soldiers to find Elijah and bring him to Ahaziah. But it wasn't an innocent invitation. Ahaziah was ready to use force to get Elijah to either change his mind or admit that he really doesn't know.

I said I wondered if Elijah had an unhealthy relationship with fire, but that is not really true. After all, in all these circumstances, it isn't Elijah who controls the fire. That decision belongs to God, and God was willing to use fire to send a message first to King Ahab, then to King Ahaziah, and finally to Elisha that God was still on the throne and still ready to help, even the Kings of Israel.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 2

Their father had given them many gifts of silver and gold and articles of value, as well as fortified cities in Judah, but he had given the kingdom to Jehoram because he was his firstborn son. – 2 Chronicles 21:3

Today's Scripture Reading (March 3, 2026): 2 Chronicles 21

An heir and a spare. The concept that, in hereditary circles, families need someone to take the mantle of leadership, and a backup just in case the unthinkable happens. In British Royalty, we don't have to go back too far to find a moment of the unthinkable. On December 11, 1936, Edward VIII abdicated after less than 11 months on the throne of the United Kingdom, and George VI, the spare, became King. Elizabeth, who became one of the longest serving monarchs, was less than a spare at the time of Uncle Ed's abdication. It seems that George VI was okay with being a spare, never really wanting to be King. But the reluctant King was one of the leaders the British Empire needed during the Second World War.

Not all spares have been comfortable with the idea. Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, seems to have been one of those who were uncomfortable with the reality of living as a "spare." As a result, he disengaged himself from the working Royals and left the Empire for a greener pasture, he thought might have been available for him in the United States. Of course, as happens in Royal families, today, Harry is less than a spare in the family. The true spare at this moment in time is actually Princess Charlotte.

With the release of the "Epstein Files," a lot has been made of the troubles of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. We have seen pictures of the Prince with young girls, but we probably have no idea of Andrew's actual involvement with the "Epstein girls." I sometimes wonder how much the concept of being "the spare" had to do with some of the former Prince's later actions. Andrew was born second in the British line of succession, but his position has eroded, and today he is eighth in line for the throne. That does not excuse his actions, but it might shed light on why he made such horrible decisions rather than sticking up for the weak who were being exploited around him.

When Jehoshaphat died, he had made some good decisions regarding his heir and the spares in the family. First, he gave the "spares" gifts of silver, gold, and other valuables. These items were theirs to dispose of as they willed, but there was no more coming once this wealth was gone. But he also spread them throughout the nation and gave them ways to live substantial, important lives. To Jehoram were given the keys of the Kingdom, but his brothers held substantial positions and jobs that were relatively unconnected with the King and the other princes. And maybe that at least had the potential to keep the brothers away from trouble. At the very least, it would hopefully keep them from plotting the overthrow of the heir in favor of one of the spares.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 1