2KINGS 7-8:Yesterday we heard two more chapters containing fascinating miracles performed by Elisha. The story about Gahazi getting the gifts from Naaman, and the vision about the chariots of fire both have interesting spiritual significance to ponder.

We come back to the story from chapter 7 where the Aramean army is surrounding Samaria. The famine is severe. The king has sent an executioner to kill Elisha. And then:

2Kings 6:32 NLT Elisha was sitting in his house with the elders of Israel when the king sent a messenger to summon him. But before the messenger arrived, Elisha said to the elders, "A murderer has sent a man to cut off my head. When he arrives, shut the door and keep him out. We will soon hear his master's steps following him."

33 While Elisha was still saying this, the messenger arrived. And the king said, "All this misery is from the LORD! Why should I wait for the LORD any longer?"

PSALM 126:Laughter, joy, and tears are in this often quoted psalm.

JOHN 12a:In yesterday's reading, Jesus worked his biggest miracle so far in the story— the raising of Lazarus, and the Jewish leaders became even firmer in their plans to kill Him.

NLT Translation notes:John 12:4 But Judas [, the man from the village of Carioth// Iscariot], the disciple who would soon betray him, said,28 [Rather, I pray,] Father, bring glory to your name."Then a voice spoke from heaven, saying, "I have already brought glory to my name, and I will do so again." 39 But the people couldn't believe, for as Isaiah [reported the Lord's words//also said],40 "[I have//The Lord has] blinded their eyesand hardened their hearts—so that their eyes cannot see,and their hearts cannot understand,and they cannot turn to meand have me heal them."41 Isaiah['s prophecy] was referring to Jesus when he said this, because he saw the future and spoke of the Messiah's glory.42 Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn't admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue[s].44 Jesus shouted to the crowds, "If you [believe in/trust] me, you are [not just believing in//trusting not only] me, but also God who sent me.47 I will not judge those who hear me but don't obey me, for I have come to save the world [,//and] not to judge it.

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.