Faith Without Hesitation: Lessons from 2 Kings 13:18

In 2 Kings 13:18, the prophet Elisha instructs King Jehoash of Israel to strike the ground with arrows. The king obeys—but only three times. Elisha then becomes angry, revealing that if Jehoash had struck the ground five or six times, Israel would have secured total victory over Aram (Syria). Instead, because of his limited action, Israel will win only three battles before falling short.

Half-Measures Lead to Half-Blessings

Jehoash’s hesitation cost Israel a complete triumph. He obeyed, but he did so half-heartedly, not realizing that his actions were tied to the destiny of his people. This passage highlights a consistent biblical theme: faith and obedience must be wholehearted to receive the fullness of God’s blessings.

• James 1:6-7 warns, “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.”
• Hebrews 11:6 reinforces, “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
• Matthew 7:7-8 encourages persistence: “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” These words emphasize how active faith leads to breakthrough, while passivity leads to missed opportunities.

Faith in Action: How This Applies Today

Too often, we approach life with limited faith. We pray for answers but question whether God will really come through. We commit to something just enough but stop short of giving it our whole heart. Like Jehoash, we go part of the way, unaware that if we pressed harder—if we leaned in fully—the victory could be complete.

• Luke 18:1-8 tells the parable of the persistent widow who keeps pleading with the unjust judge until he grants her request. Jesus teaches through this that faith requires perseverance—we must keep striking the ground!
• Galatians 6:9 advises, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
• 2 Corinthians 9:6 compares faith to sowing seeds: “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.” The more we invest in our faith, the greater our return.

Here’s the challenge:

• Are there areas in your life where you’re holding back?
• What arrows has God placed in your hands that require bold action?
• If God is calling you to strike the ground, will you do it without hesitation?

Final Thoughts

Elisha’s reaction may seem harsh, but it reveals a powerful truth: God responds to faith that is complete, not cautious. Half-measures lead to half-results. What if, like Jehoash, God has given you something to pursue—but you’re only willing to go halfway? What if your hesitation is the only thing standing between you and an extraordinary victory?

God calls us to go all in. Like Abraham, who went to sacrifice Isaac without questioning (Genesis 22:1-18), or Peter, who stepped out of the boat despite the raging storm (Matthew 14:29), faith is bold.

So today, maybe it’s time to strike the ground boldly. After all, what would happen if you didn’t stop at three?

For more information and deeper study check out the books from Grow Stronger Roots on Amazon.