Moving Forward Against All Odds

 2 kings 2:8-24

The forty two youths mocking Prophet Elisha in our text passage represent forty two different ways, problems, or odds the enemy can use to try and stop us.

It is God's will that you go forward in life (make progress) despite the odds stacked against you.

Each challenge, problem, setback, or odd from the enemy to stop you from moving forward is due for a curse.

Just like Daniel of old who purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the delicacies from King Nebuchadenezzer's table, purpose in your heart that nothing will stop you from moving forward in God and with God.

Daniel 1:8

There are things, issues, circumstances, and people the enemy will raise up to try and stop you.

Make up your mind that you will not be stopped, make up your mind that you will not give up.

Make up your mind to go all the way with God.

Elisha the prophet had just received a double portion of the spirit of his mentor and spiritual father- the prophet Elijah.

His miracle and prophetic ministry had began, he healed the bitter waters of Jericho, healed the barren land of Jericho, and parted the river Jordan and walked through it.

A short while after forty two young men challenged him, mocking him, taunting him regarding his looks.

When God blesses, the enemy raises his head.

2 kings 2:23

Satan was trying to mock Elisha through those young men/youths.

His intention was to distract Elisha, his aim was to make Elisha feel unqualified, inadequate, insecure, inferior, rejected, doubtful and fearful.

The enemy doesn't fight fair.

Forty two young men against one man is not a fair ratio.

Fortunately Elisha was an empowered and equipped man, he was up to the task.

The moral of the story is not that forty two young men were mauled by she bears, the text passage is teaching us that the enemies strategies, agenda, and attacks against us is due for a curse.

Everything mocking your progress, everything the enemy is doing to stop you should be cursed in the name of the Lord.

Those youths mocking Elisha was a weak and desperate attempt from the enemy to deceive Elisha and stop Elisha from moving forward in life and ministry.

The young men used wrong words on Elisha.

Wrong words can be hindrances that stop people.

There are people who have allowed the words of others to stop them from moving on in life.

Some have been taken off the right path in life because of mockery, taunts, or wrong advise.

Those youths were a distraction to Elisha like Goliath was a distraction to the children of Israel.

As Goliath was meant to stop the children of Israel from making progress, the youths mocking Elisha were to stop him from moving forward.

Goliath came unto the scene after David was anointed.

1 Samuel 17:4-11

The mockers (youths) came unto the scene after Elisha had been empowered with a double portion.

David overcame Goliath, Elisha overcame the mocking youths.

Goliath mocked David and the Israelites, the youths mocked Elisha.

Anointed individuals overcome. They overcome the odds against them. It's one of the things the anointing does, it helps us overcome.

With the help of the anointing, whatever form of resistance the enemy brings against you will be overcome and help you move forward in life.

Make sure you are not a mocker yourself.

Believers are not called to be mockers, critics, or detractors to others.

Psalm 1:1

Make sure you're not a hindrance to anyone's progress.

Make sure you're not a Goliath on another person's journey.

We are not called to be hindrances to people but burden bearers.

Galatians 6:2

The only person we should be a hindrance and mocker towards is the enemy and his works.

You will move forward, and make great progress against all odds in Jesus mighty name!

Olutosin Ogunkolade shares this teaching message!