Click here to read the Old Paths Journal.
Looking for a Man of God?
2 Kings 3:11
"But Jehoshaphat said, Is there not here a prophet of the LORD, that we may enquire of the LORD by him? And one of the king of Israel's servants answered and said, Here is Elisha the son of Shaphat, which poured water on the hands of Elijah."
Jehoshaphat seemed to have the same problem that many Christians have today, and that is the only time he wanted a man of God in his life was when he had a difficulty that needed to be solved. Jehoshaphat said in the verse above, "Is there not here a prophet of the LORD,..." This statement came after Jehoshaphat had joined the king of Israel in a joint mission to fight the king of Moab. Before they went to war, Jehoshaphat asked for a man of God to give them guidance. The sad part about this story is that Jehoshaphat only wanted the man of God's advice when it was convenient or needed.
Every person needs a man of God in their life. The man of God should not be an emergency number that you only call in times of need. Yes, they will come and help you if that is the only time you call them, but they are there to help you succeed in your Christian life. I fear many people fail in their Christian life because they avoid the man of God who God has placed in their life to help them mature and excel in their walk with God. With this in mind, let me give you some thoughts concerning you and your man of God.
First, let the man of God be a man of God in your life. What I mean by this statement is that he should not be treated like everyone else. Treat him with dignity and respect by addressing him properly. Though some think this is ridiculous, you need to keep a mystique and honor with the position that the man of God holds. If you will address him properly, then you will keep his position as a revered position in your mind.
Second, pray that your man of God guides you properly. People often complain that their man of God does not help them, but I wonder how often they pray that God gives him wisdom to guide them. Yes, the man of God should have personally asked for God's guidance, but you would be wise to ask God to help your man of God help you. I have found that when I pray this way that God helps me to ask questions in the right way that will spur the man of God to give me the answers that I need.
Third, don't just let your man of God be a convenient crutch whom you run to when you need help. If you have problems, certainly you should go and ask for his help, but let your man of God help you all the time. Don't be like Jehoshaphat who only looked for him when it was convenient.
Last, be an encouragement to your man of God. Regularly say words of encouragement to him to show your appreciation. Look for needs that he may have that God can use you to fill. Find something that he likes, and every once in awhile give it to him as a gift of appreciation. Be kind to his family as this will be an encouragement to him as well.
God has given you a man of God to be a help to you. Don't let his availability be taken for granted, but realize that God gave him to you to help you become the best Christian that you could become. Don't just look for a man of God in times of need, but look for a man of God in all stages of your life.