How We Love To Chase After Those Chariots

Sometimes we are full-time chariot chasers. We are similar to Elijah’s servants as we chase a chariot that we think possesses the “good old days.” A fear of change causes us to pursue the things of the past at any cost. Sometimes we are like Gehazi, chasing a chariot out of greed and self-righteousness. What we believe people deserve pushes us to seek revenge and rectify all that is out of order. Sometimes we are like Barak, who chased a chariot that he falsely assumed was essential to his success. Many of us have acquired positions or resources that we think will satisfy us, but we still feel empty. Sometimes we are like Israel who requested a king riding in a chariot so she could be like the other nations. What others have and do appears so appealing until we finally possess and are doing those same things. Chasing after chariots can consume many of us. In different moments we can identify with Naaman, who almost allowed his elevated, comfortable position in a chariot to prevent him from being healed. Too easily we can become grounded in the security and luxury that this world provides.

Other times the chariots are chasing us. Similar to the Israelites, who were terrorized by the Egyptian and Canaanite chariots, we fear advancing forward because of those things that seek to destroy us. When we are opposed by overwhelming forces, we believe our only option is to run for our lives.

Chariots can also be instruments of the divine. As a result of Philip chasing a chariot, an Ethiopian eunuch came to know Christ.

The heavenly chariots that surrounded Elijah and his servant was confirmation to the people of God that “Those who are with us are more than those who are [against us].” Sometimes chariots have no other purpose than to be vehicles to tell the good news of God’s deliverance.

Will the chariots in your life strengthen or hinder your relationship with God? I pray that you will chase chariots when the gospel can be advanced, be still when the chariots will hinder your growth, have no fear of the chariots of this world, and place all your faith in God. Amen