Have you ever been in the middle of an adverse situation? Do you begin to think, “how long can this go on”; “I don’t think I can take much more”, “I just can’t do this any longer”? “How do I make a change in my situation”? Well, I have good news for you today!
In II Kings 6 & 7 the king of Aram had brought his army against the Israelites and they had surrounded Samaria and cut off all the food supply to the city. The situation became so bad that the people in the city were eating animal dung and even reports of cannibalism were recorded. They were in a desparate place – hope was all but gone.
There were 4 lepers who were outside the city wall and they asked a question, “Why are we sitting here waiting to die? 4 There is no food in Samaria. If we go into the city, we will die there. If we stay here, we will also die. So let’s go to the Aramean camp. If they let us live, we will live. If they kill us, we will just die.” II Kings 6:3-4
How long will we sit here, until we die?
It was time to do something even if it meant that they might die. They couldn’t go into the city because there was famine in the city, if they stayed where they were they would starve to death and if they went to the enemy camp they also faced the possibly of death but they had to do something. So they went. I’ve faced some difficult situations but none have been this serious, how about you?
When they got to the enemy camp they found that the Arameans had fled and left all of their food, clothing, horses, tents and gold.
“So that evening the four lepers went to the Aramean camp. When they came to the edge of the camp, no one was there! 6 The Lord had caused the Aramean army to hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a large army. So the soldiers said to each other, “The king of Israel has hired the kings of the Hittites and Egyptians to come against us.”
7 The Arameans ran away early that evening. They left everything behind. They left their tents, horses, and donkeys and ran for their lives. 8 When these lepers came to where the camp began, they went into one tent. They ate and drank. Then they carried silver, gold, and clothes out of the camp and hid them…9 Then they said to each other, “We are doing wrong! Today we have good news, but we are silent… Now let’s go and tell the people who live in the king’s palace.” II Kings 7:5-9
Through these 4 lepers, the outcasts of society, God provided not only for them but for the whole city.
God is the same yesterday, today and forever. Your desperate situation isn’t desperate to God. He knows how to provide.
“Abraham named that place “The Lord Will Provide.” And even now people say, “On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.” Genesis 22:14
Trust God today and follow what He calls you to do. Don’t lose hope – He will provide!
What a lesson that I can relate to. These lepers found good news in their desperation, and eventually did the right thing in sharing it. I too have found Good News in desperate times of medical need in my past; in my strife He showed me love in His provision, which I still share today. Thank you for this valuable reminder Kristi, may God bless you richly today.
Alan, we all have a story to share of God’s goodness and provision. Thank you for being faithful to share yours.