I don’t know about you, but sometimes I get so caught up in life, start to do things in my own strength, and lose sight that the Lord will provide. While reading 2 Kings 7, I was reminded of Gods provision, and how damaging disbelief can be. This story was very freeing for me and brought me much hope.
There was a great famine in the city of Samaria to the point that things were being sold for an exorbitant amount and some people in the land began practicing cannibalism. Elisha replied, “Listen to this message from the Lord! This is what the Lord says: By this time tomorrow in the markets of Samaria, six quarts of choice flour will cost only one piece of silver, and twelve quarts of barley grain will cost only one piece of silver.” The officer assisting the king said to the man of God, “That couldn’t happen even if the Lord opened the windows of Heaven!” But Elisha replied, “you will see it happen with your own eyes, but you won’t be able to eat any of it!” 2 Kings 7:1-2. This was a message of hope. Hope that there would be a change in their tragic conditions with relief from the famine. But the unbelief of the officer, would prevent him from experiencing the blessing to come.
Some men with leprosy who were considered outcasts decided to take there chances and enter the Aramean army camp. They figured they had nothing to lose anyway since they were on the verge of starving to death. Much to their surprise, the camp was completely abandoned! Left behind was a surplus of food, clothing, silver and gold. The Lord had caused the Aramean army to hear the clatter of speeding chariots and galloping of horses and the sounds of a great army approaching 2 Kings 7:6. They freaked out thinking that they were going to be attacked, panicked and ran into the night abandoning everything. The men with leprosy went back and told everyone at the palace. After it was investigated and found to be true, the Samarians plundered the Aramean camp. So it was true what the Lord promised! The very next day, the markets of Samaria would be selling six quarts of choice flour for one piece of silver and twelve quarts of barley grain also for one piece of silver. As for the officer who doubted the Lords message, the people trampled him to death at the gate, fulfilling what the lord said through Elisha, “You will see it happen with your own eyes, but you won’t be able to eat any of it.”
What a wonderful example of the Lords provision! The Lord can and will rescue us in the final hour! And He will do it in a way in which we could have never imagined! I know many of us are going through situations and are currently in circumstances in which we see no way out. We may feel hopeless. Let me remind you that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever” Hebrews 13:8. We have no reason to feel hopeless because He is unchangeable! The same God who provided for the Samarians is the same God who will provide for you! May we testify of His goodness through our daily living, with our faith, and in being in full expectation of His provision. We will declare that, “the mighty one is Holy, and he has done great things for me.” Luke 1:49.
