2 Kings 8

2Ki 8:10 And Elisha said to him, "Go, say to him, 'You shall certainly recover.' However the LORD has shown me that he will really die."

Read the above story. Was Elisha lying? Was he telling Hazael to tell Ben-Hadad that he would live through the disease though he would actually die? (Post thoughts below).

Elisha was not lying. Elisha saw that this man would indeed return to full health! The only problem is, the man he was talking to, Hazael, would murder him! Elisha could not stare at this evil man without bursting into tears. He saw a man who would one day persecute Israel. He saw a ruthless enemy of God. He saw the devastation that would occur, and Elisha realized that there was nothing for him to do about it.

Sometimes we are called to take action. Other times, we are simply called to be messengers. Sometimes, we saw the disciples heal, and sometimes we saw them preach. Whatever the case, there is one thing we cannot do and that is change the heart of a man. Man has a free will. They can choose to follow God or to disobey. It is hard to see someone close fall away from Jesus. It is difficult to know what is going to happen to them, yet, all you can do is stare. Elisha just stared at Hazael and Hazael just stared back, until his countenance changed. Elisha then began to weep.

Gang, have you ever just stared at someone you loved who is going down the wrong direction. You just want to grab them and shake them. You know that they are just a few steps away from total disaster; yet, all you can do is tell them. If they choose to ignore you, they choose to ignore you. Some of you are closer involved in these types of situations than others. Remember to pray. Remember to fix your eyes on Jesus. The only way you truly share something moving with these people is by living 100% for Christ and sharing His love. The only way you can do that is by looking at Him all the time.