This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth … so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. – Joshua 1:8

God can reverse every downturn in your life—including the financial, physical, emotional, and spiritual—when you follow Him and His Word.

The prophet Elisha would not accept payment from General Naaman for God’s restoration of the warrior’s health, but the prophet’s servant Gehazi couldn’t resist. He lied, took the payment, and hid it. Elisha knew what Gehazi had done and rebuked him for jumping ahead of God’s provision and blessing. Gehazi set himself up for failure, and as punishment, he was made a leper.

Seven years later, because of God’s divine arrangement, Gehazi could have stolen and hidden an abundance of riches from an abandoned Syrian camp. A changed man, Gehazi generously shared his profit with the children of Israel. As a result, God restored Gehazi’s health and promoted him to the king’s advisory board.

If you are wrestling with a downturn in your life that may be the result of a wrong decision or an action you made in the past, keep in mind that God longs to accomplish something in you that is greater than you can imagine. Don’t throw in the towel. Never let your past determine your future. Rather, put your trust in God through obeying His Word, and set yourself up to succeed, just as Gehazi did.

Check out more blogs at tonyevans.org!

About The Author

Dr. Tony Evans

Dr. Tony Evans is one of the country’s most respected leaders in evangelical circles. As a pastor, teacher, author and speaker, he serves the body of Christ through his unique ability to communicate complex theological truths through simple, yet profound, illustrations. While addressing the practical issues of today, Dr. Evans is known as a relevant expositor. New and veteran pastors alike regard him as a pastor of pastors and a father in the faith.


At the heart of this vision is the use of church and school partnerships to effect spiritual and social change in communities. Dr. Evans’ church and school outreach philosophy has been attributed as a catalyst for former President George W. Bush’s Faith Based Initiative, which was his first formal act of office. Dr. Evans seeks to train churches, schools and volunteers in this philosophy, as well as in the functional practicalities, through the National Church Adopt-A-School Initiative which is a ministry underneath the umbrella of The Urban Alternative.


Dr. Evans serves as president of The Urban Alternative, a national ministry that seeks to restore hope and transform lives through the proclamation and the application of the Word of God. His daily radio broadcast, The Alternative with Dr. Tony Evans, can be heard on more than 850 radio outlets throughout the United States and in more than 80 countries.


Dr. Evans has written numerous books and booklets including his legacy work, Oneness Embraced, as well as his vision work, The Kingdom Agenda. Some of his most recent books includes, Kingdom Man, A Moment For Your Soul, Marriage Matters, and Victory in Spiritual Warfare.



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