“And the man of God had said, ‘You will see it happen with your own eyes, but you won’t be able to eat any of it!’ And so it was, for the people trampled him to death at the gate!” (2 Kings 7:19b-20 NLT)
What is it that ties you to the people you love? To your spouse, children, grandchildren, and others in your family that you’ve grown to love and cherish over the years? What is that precious link that you’d die to preserve? We often refer to it as love, but is that all it is?
In 2 Kings 6 King Ben-hadad of Aram has gathered his entire army to besiege Samaria, which resulted in a great famine. It was so severe people were literally killing and eating their children. The king of Israel was furious and decided it was God’s fault, so, he sent a messenger to bring him the Prophet Elisha because he was God’s representative.
2 Kings7 tells the story of the messenger’s arrival and Elisha’s prophecy that the very next day God would intervene, and the famine would end. The verse above is what Elisha told him. And it all happened as Elisha said it would. What is the relevance for us?
In my mind and heart, I believe every person who walks closely with God carries a burden of unanswered prayer; a concern that only God can provide, but to date hasn’t. It may be a lost loved one, a healing, or provision of some kind for which you feel you are in desperate need. What is it that is sustaining you? What is that precious link to God that keeps you holding on?
Elisha painted a clear picture for the king’s messenger, but because of his unbelief, though he saw God’s answer with his own eyes, he was killed before he could enjoy it. On some levels doubt and unbelief are some of Satan’s most effective weapons in keeping us from embracing the truth. God clearly tells us that He will never leave or forsake us, but too often we trust our feelings more than God’s Word, so we faulter and miss what God has promised.
God uses the most unlikely characters in 2 Kings 7 to fulfill His plan – four lepers! Often, He’ll use unconventional means to deliver His answer to us, and we’re so prone to miss it unless we’re attentive to His voice. One of the most valuable lessons the Lord has taught me, I nearly missed because it came to me, not through a friend, but a critic.
Who is it in your life whom God may be trying to use to speak a message to you, but you’re reluctant because of the source? When the lepers came to announce that the Aramean army had deserted their camp, the king of Israel was suspect. He believed it was a ploy of the enemy to get the Israelites out of their walled city.
How often do we miss the Lord’s instruction because we have to prove it before we believe it? Why is it so difficult for us to take God at His Word? The most precious link between us and God is faith, most often verified through trust. I have faith that my wife loves me, but there are times I’m not quick to trust her judgment when it comes to food.
She loves to eat a lot of things I don’t love. My rule of thumb is: “If it doesn’t pass the ‘nose test,’ it doesn’t’ get in my mouth!” If my nose rebels at its smell, I don’t eat it! But lately I’ve been more open to trust my wife when she brings a spoon of something she’s cooking and says, “Try this. See what you think.” Remember what the Psalmist said in 34:8: “Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him.”
We must not allow our precious faith link to God to be broken because of our personal preferences, doubts, and fears.
Food for thought.
Blessings, Ed 😊
Walking With Jesus 