I have been blessed in my life. God’s grace, strength, joy and peace have sustained me. There have been times I wanted to give up and quit but the support of loved ones and God’s grace encouraged me to go on.
Maybe you are in a really rough place right now – you’re tempted to quit. What’s the use of continuing on? I’d like to share a story that has always been an encouragement to me during hard times.
A king brought his army against the Israelites, they had surrounded Samaria and cut off all the food supply to the city. The situation became so dire that the people in the city were eating animal dung and even reports of cannibalism were recorded. They were in a desperate place – hope was gone.
There were four lepers who were outside the city wall and they asked a question, “Why are we sitting here waiting to die? 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 7:4 ERV
Now that’s desperation.
It was time to do something even if it meant that they might die. 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 belongings.
“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. Then they came back and entered another tent. They carried things out from this tent and went out and hid them. 9 Then they said to each other, ‘We are doing wrong! Today we have good news, but we are silent. If we wait until the sun comes up, we will be punished. Now let’s go and tell the people who live in the king’s palace.’” II Kings 7:5-9
Through these four lepers, the outcasts of society, God provided not only for them but for the whole city.
God is the same yesterday, today and forever. I’m not saying that you’re going to find an enemy camp with horses, clothing, food and gold but I am saying that God will provide. Your desperate situation isn’t desperate to God. He has the answer and is providing a way – that is His character.
“My God will use his glorious riches to give you everything you need. He will do this through Christ Jesus. 20 Glory to our God and Father forever and ever.” Philippians 4:19 – 20
Trust God – trust Him today and follow what He calls you to do. Life can be hard but don’t just sit there until you die!