The Best for Last

Based on 2 Kings 13-14, John 2

Comparison can be our worst enemy...instead of looking up to the people we desire to be like with admiration, we tend to get upset thinking, "Why can't I be like that? Why does it seem like they have it all together and I'm falling apart?" Well, the Good News is that God can do a lot with people who are willing to come in last & admit they don't have it all together! He is the One who can turn us into the best version of ourselves! His plan for us may look different than the plan He has for the person next to us, but that's because we all have a different purpose to serve!

"And Elisha said unto him, Take bow and arrows. And he took unto him bow and arrows. And he said to the king of Israel, Put thine hand upon the bow. And he put his hand upon it: and Elisha put his hands upon the king's hands. And he said, Open the window eastward. And he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot. And he shot. And he said, The arrow of the LORD 's deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed them." 2 Kings 13:15‭-‬17

Joash king of Israel came and wept over Elisha's face. Elisha was dying, and Joash knew it wasn't long before the death of Israel came against the Syrian army. Joash felt so unequipped & defeated. But God used his humble approach to the man of God in order to turn things around! Instead of being last, Israel would come in first & defeat the Syrians! However, after shooting the arrows representing The Lord's deliverance, Elisha told Joash to smite the ground. He only hit it 3 times, so Elisha said he would only defeat the Syrians 3 times...this goes to show that Joash should have gained a little more confidence after shooting those arrows. We shouldn't stay in a defeatist mentality when we have a God like our God! God saves the best for the ones who feel like they're coming in last! When we admit we need Him, He is there! We can smite the ground with a little more boldness!

"And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet." 2 Kings 13:21

Even in Elisha's death, his ministry spoke volumes from his grave! Just another indication that death is not the end for those who place their lives in God's Hands! Death may look like defeat, but not with those who lived a life serving The Lord!

"Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it . When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom, and saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now." John 2:7‭-‬10

The best wine was saved for last, and it sure wasn't because the hosts of the wedding intended it to be that way! They knew the worst was coming if the guests found out they ran out of wine...and in running out of wine, they ran out of hope for their future in the wedding business...but Jesus was standing there at the end of their rope! And His mother Mary brought the need to Him, and He complied with her request to do something about it...and whatever Jesus does is great! The best was saved for last because Jesus came on the scene! If they didn't call on Jesus, they would have came in last...but with Jesus, He made a way for them to not only recover, but come out on top!

"But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first." Matthew 19:30

Things may not be going exactly as they should. It may be a tough road right now. Others may look like they have it easy. But just remember, if you feel like you're coming in last, then the first thing you should do is call on Jesus...He is THE BEST!