In 2 Kings 13 we read: ‘Elisha said: “Pick up the arrows and hit the ground with them.” Jehoash grabbed the arrows and hit the ground three times, then stopped. Elisha became angry at the king and exclaimed, “If you had struck it five or six times, you would completely wipe out the Syrians. Now you will defeat them only three times”’ (v.18-19 CEV).

Elisha had given Jehoash, the king of Israel, a plan from God for not only defeating his enemy, but also eliminating him permanently as a future threat. But the plan depended on two important things. First, being fully obedient. Second, being passionate. Jehoash passed the first test but failed the second. He was obedient to what God, through Elisha, told him to do, but he didn’t go far enough, and he didn’t put his heart and soul into it. He settled for less than God had planned for him. Maybe he was tired or distracted. Maybe he didn’t listen carefully to the prophet’s instructions. Maybe he thought ‘token obedience’ would be as effective as wholehearted obedience. The Bible doesn’t tell us. But we do know that he forfeited God’s best because he wasn’t passionate enough.

The lesson here is that it’s not enough to just say, ‘I’ve obeyed God.’ We must also obey Him wholeheartedly. If we don't, we might end up compromising our future and failing to experience the whole of what He has in mind for us. Paul explained it to Timothy with these words: ‘Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them.’ In other words, when God tells us to do something, we need to be passionate and enthusiastic about it.

What Now?

Have a quick check-up on your passion for the task you're doing for God at the moment. If it's a bit low, ask Him to help you reignite your enthusiasm.