Psalm 121:1-2

Read Psalm 121:1-2.

1.  The discipline (v. 1) > "I will . . ."

2.  The direction (v. 1) > "I will lift up . . ." (not down, not around)

3.  The distraction (v. 1) > " . . . to the mountains . . ."

4.  The decision (v. 1) > "From where shall my help come?"

• You need help.  
• You will seek help from somewhere or someone.
• Who or what will be your help?

5.  The declaration (v. 2) > "My help comes from the Lord . . . ."  Why?

• I ask for it.
• I expect it.
• I rejected all inferior or deceptive forms of help.

6.  The defense (v. 2) > " . . . Who made heaven and earth."

• What is your reason for choosing the Lord as your helper?
• He is the Creator (and Sustainer) of all things. That's some capability!

The Donkey Driver (2 Kin. 4:22-24) (Part 6)

JESUS CHRIST WAS GOD'S SERVANT.

Understand that Jesus isn't asking you to do anything He didn't model.

• In the Old Testament, Jesus was called the Servant.
• There are portions in Isaiah that are referred to as “The Servant Songs.”
• In the New Testament, Jesus called Himself “Servant” (Mk. 10:45; Lu. 22:27).
•  He was God's chosen servant (Lu. 9:35).
•  He was a humble servant (Mt. 11:29).
• He was an obedient servant (Mt. 26:39; Phil. 2:8).
• He was a focused servant.
• He was a silent servant (Isa. 53:7; Mt. 26:62-63a).
• He was a reliable servant (Jn. 17:4).

Jesus fulfilled the task – “drove the donkey” – that He was called to.

The Donkey Driver (2 Kin 4:22-24) (Part 5)

Conclusion:

Both the world and the church could do with fewer self-appointed superstars and more donkey-

drivers (more servants). Which would you rather be – Elisha, who does the miracle, or the unnamed servant, who drives the donkey? If we were honest, most of us would not choose to drive the donkey. It's not as exciting as raising the dead!

Here is God's invitation today: Will you drive the donkey? What do you mean, Pastor? Think of a “donkey” as a simple, non-glamorous task, for which you will receive little thanks, yet its completion is essential to the ongoing testimony of our church's story. You will champion this task by taking it on yourself.

Here are a few donkeys that need to be driven.

• The nursery needs to be re-done and brought up to daycare standards.
• The fellowship hall roof needs to be replaced immediately.
• The annual Thanksgiving Dinner Outreach needs to be coordinated.

Quote: "Christianity “is an intensely practical thing.”¹ (William Barclay) Without the practical things being done, the spiritual things don't seem to work as well.

If you want to “drive the donkey”, then you must embrace the traits of a servant.

1Barclay, William. The Letters To The Corinthians. Revised Edition. Daily Study Bible Series. Philadelphia, PA: Westminster Press, 1975. p. 116. (Barclay is commenting on 1 Cor. 12:28 re: “helps.”)

The Donkey Driver (2 Kin. 4:22-24) (Part 4)

5. THE SERVANT WAS RELIABLE.

HE WAS TRUSTED WITH THE WELFARE OF HIS MASTER'S BRIDE. All of a sudden, such a “menial” task took on great seriousness. The servant wasn't just driving a donkey; he was providing needed assistance for his master's wife and would be responsible for her welfare.

Instead of labeling what you are doing as “insignificant” or “menial”, consider Who it is that called you to do it. The “Who” must always frame the “what.”

The Donkey Driver (2 Kin. 4:22-24) (Part 3)

3. THE SERVANT WAS OBEDIENT.

WHEN ASKED TO DRIVE THE DONKEY, THE SERVANT DIDN'T COMPLAIN OR REBEL.

• He wasn't put out nor was he put down by being asked to do such a menial task.
• He didn't cop an attitude: “Now you're going to tell me how to drive the donkey?”
• He just wanted to do what he could with excellence and skill, while pleasing his authority.

4. THE SERVANT WAS FOCUSED.

HE DIDN'T SEE THE NEED TO TALK.  In the story, the servant didn't say one word to anyone. He made no small talk and gave no advice. 

How easily talk can sidetrack or distract people!  I travel Route 66 south often. Usually my intended destination is Monroeville, and my intended stops there are bookstores or specialty food stores. I know, what a narrow life, right?  Occasionally I have to go to Greensburg. I can't tell you how many times I've started towards Greensburg, only to find myself halfway up the ramp to Route 380 towards Monroeville.

No, my memory isn't slipping – at least I don't think so. Rather, it is that sometimes I can't drive and talk. If I don't concentrate on where I am going, I will end up somewhere else. It is not uncommon for my co-pilot to remind me, “Remember, you're not getting off here.”

In my situation, I turned around and got back on track towards Greensburg. I wasted a little time, but I still arrived at my destination.  In today's story, the servant couldn't afford to waste any time. Getting to Elisha sooner than later was essential. Had he made one wrong turn, perhaps the story doesn't end well.

You can talk yourself right into incompetency! When you need to act, talking something to death won't get the job done.

The Donkey Driver (2 Kin. 4:22-24) (Part 2)

FIVE OBSERVATIONS ABOUT THE UNNAMED SERVANT

1. THE SERVANT WAS CHOSEN. 

THE MASTER SELECTED HIM FROM AMONG HIS MANY WORKERS. What a privilege when the Master calls you to serve! Remember that He could've called someone else. Since He didn't, that makes you both necessary and special.

2. THE SERVANT WAS HUMBLE. 

HE KNEW WHAT HE COULDN'T DO. He couldn't resurrect the boy or comfort the mother. Either one would've been a “big” deal – highly noticed and much appreciated.

HE KNEW WHAT HE COULD DO. He could drive the donkey. That doesn't sound glamorous, does it? After all, when someone wants to make a contribution, he wants to make one that counts. Don't serve Jesus out of the capabilities you wish you had; serve Jesus out of the capability and opportunity that you do have.

The Donkey Driver (2 Kin. 4:22-24) (Part 1)

Introduction:

Society tends to put down those who are lowly, meek or quiet. Often they are considered “second class”. Some prefer that they be neither seen nor heard.

Society often values the wrong things.

• There is an emphasis on greatness, not humility.
• There is an emphasis on fame, not duty.
• There is an emphasis on rights, not responsibility.
• There is an emphasis on notoriety, not obscurity.
• There is an emphasis on aptitude, not attitude.
• There is an emphasis on leading, not serving.

Society tends to look down on, forget about or ignore the “small”, whether it is an event, a place or a person. Yet, great consequences come from small things. 

• Illustration: Tongue (Jam. 3:5)
• Illustration: O-Ring (Challenger)¹

This week's story is about a little man. No, his name is not Zacchaeus. (Only you Sunday School enthusiasts got that one.)

• We do not know his name or where he was from.
• We do not know why he was chosen for an assignment.
• We do not know anything that he might have said or thought.
• We only know that he was a servant who completed his work.

Read 2 Kin. 4:18-37 for context. This week's message is based upon verses 22-24.

What, exactly, did the servant do? He drove a donkey. That's it. What a resume builder! Can you imagine his next job interview?

“I see that you are in the domestic servant business.” Can you tell me about that?”

“I was servant for a prominent Shunammite man and his wife.”

“I see. What task did you most recently perform for that couple?”

“Well, I drove a donkey.”

In our world, there is slim chance that man gets hired because he can drive a donkey. Remember, though, that without this servant's donkey-driving expertise, there might not have been a miracle, since the woman wouldn't have gotten quickly to Elisha.

The unnamed, faithful servant is essential to this story. What can be said about him? There are five observations to consider.

1http://er.jsc.nasa.gov/seh/explode.html (accessed 08-06-16)

Looking Always To The Lord (Psa. 121:1-2) (Part 4)

Conclusion:

1. When the travelers lifted up their eyes to the mountains and considered their Maker, those people were inspired by His presence, permanence and power.

• The anxious saw the mountains and were reminded that the Lord is near (Psa. 46:1).
• The exhausted saw the mountains and were reminded that the Lord is strong (Isa. 40:28).
• The overwhelmed saw the mountains and were reminded that the Lord is high (Psa. 61:2).
• The lowly saw the mountains and were reminded that the Lord is great (Psa. 48:1).
• The finite saw the mountains and were reminded that the Lord is eternal (Psa. 90:2).

2. Since any time is the right time to lift up your eyes to the Maker of the mountains, you should look to Him right now. You will be inspired, as were those travelers, that the Lord is near, strong, great, high, and eternal. When you look up to the Lord, you are asking His help to come down. When you look up to the Lord, you show dependence, humility, reverence, trust and expectation.

To Heaven I lift mine eye,
To Heaven, Jehovah's throne,
For there my Savior sits on high,
And there shall strength and aid supply
To all He calls His own.*

3. Whatever your situation is this morning, look to the Lord and be reminded that He is your answer. Psa. 16:8 > “I have set the LORD continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” Psa. 123:1 > “To You I lift up my eyes, O You who are enthroned in the heavens!” 

*John Bowdler, 1814

Looking Always To The Lord (Psa. 121:1-2) (Part 3)

1. YOU SHOULD LOOK TO THE LORD WHEN YOU WORK. You should look to the Lord in your sacred work and in your secular work.  Do you look to Him when you need that 'something extra' or don't know what to do?

2. YOU SHOULD LOOK TO THE LORD WHEN YOU WORRY. You should look to the Lord when you worry due to fear, lack or pressure.  You know you should look to Him, but do you?

3. YOU SHOULD LOOK TO THE LORD WHEN YOU WORSHIP. Don't get caught up with the form (majesty of the mountains) but with the power (Maker of the mountains).  This seems elementary, I know, but you would be amazed at how easily and quickly people get sidetracked during worship.

4. YOU SHOULD LOOK TO THE LORD WHEN YOU WANDER. You may wander from the mountains, but the mountains will still be there. You may wander from your Maker, but your Maker will still be there.  Lost?  Look up!

Looking Always To The Lord (Psa.121:1-2) (Part 2)

Introduction:

1. The experience of those travelers is similar to the experience of some Christians today. You're walking the path God charted for you and started the journey with great joy but, at some point, became weary. Mentally, you continued to believe that obedience is worth it. Step by step you plodded forward, inching closer to God's design. Emotionally, however, you became weary and depleted. Admittedly you were fatigued by disappointment, frustration, hurt, confusion and betrayal. (Yes, those are indeed obstacles you encounter as you walk in God's will.)  Then it happened – the moment came when you were reinvigorated by a surge of inspiration's pulsing through your being. God Himself made you aware of the strength that is gained by considering His presence, permanence and power.

2. What if you need renewed strength and inspiration today? In the next post(s), I want to answer this question: When should you look to the Lord? The answer is any time and all the time (You understand why I must limit my comments to four occasions.).

Looking Always To The Lord (Psa.121:1-2) (Part 1)

Background:

1. Travelers to Jerusalem, for the prescribed feasts, knew they were close when they saw the mountains that surrounded the city. The mountains cheered, “Don't quit now! You're almost there!”

2. Pilgrims who left home with joy and anticipation became weary at some point. Mentally, they understood that each step brought them closer to Jerusalem. Emotionally, they felt weary and drained as they continued doing the right things and following the prescribed course.

3. One day, when hearts were heavy and hope was all but erased, a random fellow in the caravan shouted, “There are the mountains!” The inner warfare between fact and feeling began to subside. Physical and spiritual weariness began to fade. Their destination was within sight.

4. Joy returned, as travelers were inspired by the presence and permanence of the mountains.