Lessons from the Healing of the Waters of Jericho

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

The city of Jericho was a pleasant place, geographically well situated. People including prophets loved the place and lived there. Yet the water was bad and made the land unproductive. How can a place so pleasant and geographically well situated be barren? The bad water was responsible. Fortunately, the men of Jericho were wise people. They presented the case to Elisha, newly commissioned for great exploits after having been mentored by Elijah for years. Elijah had departed to heaven in a whirlwind leaving Elisha with a double portion of his spirit.

Elisha requested for a new bowl and he instructed them to put salt in the new bowl. He took these to the source of the water, poured the salt in it and prophesied the healing unction of God upon the waters and the Bible records that the waters were healed, there was no more death from water poisoning and the land became productive.

Lessons

Elisha went to the source of the water to throw the salt in it. Why? The healing of the water had to commence from the source of the water and progress to every other part of the water. Beloved, problems, challenges, barriers, blockades, satanic oppositions have to be dealt with and removed from the root source because when the root source of a challenge is dealt with, then it is destroyed completely. But if it is handled at the branches, it will resurface again in an even greater dimension. Therefore, deal with whatever issues that are troubling your nation from the root.

Do Not Excuse Your Destiny Away

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

People who give excuses at all times never admit their weaknesses; do not accept responsibility for their misdeeds and failures. Rather than acknowledge their misdeeds, sins and repent, they give excuses; play the blame game, blaming other people for their misdeeds, sins and failures.

Adam disobeyed God, ate the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and rather than acknowledge and accept his sin against God, he passed the blame to his wife who gave him the fruit to eat. The one billion dollar question is – could he not have said no to Eve because he did not want to disobey God? Eve on the other hand also played the blame game and passed on the blame to the serpent. Unfortunately, God does not condone blame games and refusal to acknowledge sin and acceptance for wrong behavior. He judged all three of them, Adam, Eve and the serpent. Please see Genesis Chapter 3 for details.

King Saul of Israel also attempted to play the blame game. Rather than acknowledge his sin and disobedience, he blamed his actions on pressures from the people. God judged him immediately. Please see 1^st Samuel Chapter 15 verses 1 to 30, 13 verses 1 to 14. Compared to David, Saul never acknowledged his sin and even when he did, he preferred the honor of his people to publicly repenting before God (1^st Samuel Chapter 15 verse 30). David on the other hand acknowledged his sins and asked for mercy and forgiveness from God. When confronted by Nathan, David acknowledged his sin and asked God for mercy. Please see 2^nd Samuel Chapter 12 verses 1 to 15. God forgave David when he acknowledged his sin and repented. Also, when David numbered the people of Israel against the will of God, God sent Gad to tell David what he had done and David acknowledged his sin, repented   and even begged God to heap the consequences of the sin on him and not the people (1^st Chronicles Chapter 21 verses 1 to 19).