June 24

Have your cookie and eat it too!

An elderly man lay dying in his bed. In death's agony, he suddenly smelled the aroma of his favorite chocolate chip cookies wafting up the stairs. He gathered his remaining strength, and lifted himself from his bed. Leaning against the wall, he slowly made his way out of his bedroom, and with even greater effort forced himself down the stairs, gripping the railing with both hands. With labored breath, he leaned against the door frame, gazing into the kitchen.

Were it not for death's agony, he would have thought himself already in Heaven: there, spread out on newspapers on the kitchen table were literally hundreds of his favorite chocolate chip cookies. Was it Heaven? Or, was it one final act of heroic love from his devoted wife, seeing to it that he left this world a happy man?

Mustering one great final effort, he threw himself toward the table, landing on his knees in a rumpled posture. His parched lips parted; the wonderous taste of the cookie was already in his mouth, seemingly bringing him back to life. The aged, withered and shaking hand made its way to a cookie at the edge of the table, when it was suddenly smacked with a spatula by his wife. "Stay out of those", she said, "they're for the funeral."

Today’s Old Testament portion of scripture reminded me of that cookie story. Sometimes we can be so close to what God has for us. In this Bible story we see the children of Israel were under attack, cut off from all supplies and desperate for answers. The King of Israel had lost his faith in the word of the Lord and decided to kill the man of God, Elisha. As the King faces the prophet, Elisha delivers the message that tomorrow God will deliver the city. They hear that in 24 hours the battle will be over and their lives will be set free, but some will not believe. One of the men denies that this word can be true. Unfortunately for him he is told, “You will see it with your own eyes,” answered Elisha, “but you will not eat any of it!” Isn’t that the worst thing to hear? Like our friend desperate for his last cookie he could see it, but could not have it.

Maybe your life situation is under siege? Or someone you know has been waiting on God to provide a breakthrough. If God speaks a word of freedom to you will you be able to hold on to His word. Would you be able to hold on one more day? You know what we call that, faith. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Heb. 11:1 If God has given you freedom then reach out by faith. You can have your cookie and eat it too.

Blessings,
Pastor David