GOD CAN DO ANYTHING. 2nd Kings 7 In response to the king’s angry, frustrated comment against Elisha and the Lord, Elisha answered with a prophecy that the siege would be lifted and there would be plenty to eat. The king knew the siege was against the city because Elisha lived there. Elisha knew the king had determined to kill him. The elders of the people were with Elisha rather than the king when he sent someone to murder him. However, Elisha's answer was not believed because it did not fit the normal human experience.
Out-of-the-ordinary living goes along with faith in our Lord. We need to set our hope in God when we are tempted to be preoccupied with problems rather than maintain our fellowship with God. An obstacle to us may be an opportunity for Him. It is the normal human response to focus our attention on the negative and the difficulties we face in life instead of waiting with our faith in God for the results He has planned. If we can have or form an attitude of trust and expectancy in the sovereign acts of God, we will be strengthened in faith rather than frustrated and angry. No situation is impossible with God. No need we have is beyond His ability to meet. No person can make happen or stop from happening the events the Lord plans by His sovereign will.
The laws of Israel prevented lepers from living inside a city. That was to prevent the transmission of communicable diseases. It was a naturally impossible situation in which the hungry four lepers were found. To go into the city meant they would die from starvation even if they broke the law. To stay where they were meant death because there was nothing there for them to eat. The decision to cast themselves on the mercy of the Syrians was the only option they could see.
People often wait with a fatalistic attitude for something to happen instead of considering what they could or should do to change the situation. "Why sit we here until we die?" should be the attitude of those who have been waiting for God to do more for them than He already has. Even the smallest movement of faith has a positive result. Once a person takes the first step of faith, the second one is opened up before them. God's grace provides an abundant supply that lies just before those who respond in faith to a known need or an invitation given.
The four leprous men did not wait until morning but acted on their decision. They found that God had worked on their behalf before they even got to the camp of the Syrians. All they could want was open before the four needy men - and more. Full provision for them was far beyond what they "could ask or think." Elisha's servant had seen the host of heaven and the chariots of fire. The Syrians had heard the sound of the host, and it made them panic and flee in terror, leaving everything behind.
Hearing of God's power and work opens the mind to pay attention and perhaps act in faith. However, a premature response to what one hears without understanding may lead one to act only in fear. What we see by the eyes of faith and understanding, is what leads us to trust in the living God and do what He says. Fear is a legitimate emotion, but to act only in fear may mislead us and make our condition even worse than before. When we can see "by the word of God," that which is true, and put our trust in Him, then we can experience the blessings that come by grace. "By grace, ye are saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God."
It is a natural response to one who has experienced the blessings of God's grace to want to pass that on to others who are in need. The "fullness of God" makes provision for all who avail themselves of it. For the man who mocked Elisha's prophecy and, in so doing, mocked God, there was no hope. To question what God says is not only dangerous but can be fatal. To accept what God provides is to experience God's grace. To reject God's provision brings judgment.
When we have received what God provided, there is no reason to "wait for daylight' or "a more convenient season" to tell others the good news. It is possible for us to be so preoccupied with our own blessings that we forget there are others with whom we should share our faith. That which God has provided for us is available to others. Our faith may be small, but our God is great. Our resources may be low and our doubts strong, but God can open the doors of heaven to us and pour us out a blessing from His great abundance.
Things don’t always happen in the way we expect. Life events may not be predictable; one day may seem tedious like it will never end, and the next day’s so busy that it seems like it is over before we start. But any day can be good if we stop to count our blessings. Even if the losses are great, we know who allowed them. If we hunger and thirst, we know we are alive. We may have to trust God to supply basic needs, but when He does that, it makes us more thankful than if we had everything we wanted. Whether our needs are met by the bushel or a simple handful, if we allow God to work things out in and for His way, whether we admit it or not, it is a very good day.
The results of a day’s blessings may not all be in when the sun goes down. What God has accomplished today may continue to abound. The positive effects of one day may stay with us for the rest of our lives. The positive impact of the time God saved us never leaves us. We review it daily for a lifetime and will live in the good of the blessing of salvation by grace for eternity.
Good tidings come in different forms. They may be in a Gospel message or an expected phone call from someone who has had safe passage to a distant place. They may be a doctor’s report after a loved one who was ill has learned that recovery is on the way, though effects are still felt. To children, it is good news when they win a game or get good grades. To an older person, it is a promise that a loved one is coming to stay for a few days.
When God changes a situation where something bad brings good, the result we hear of later is far better than we thought it could be. Grace that brings salvation to someone we know or even far away is always “good tidings” to hear. Knowing God is near is good news for those going through trying times. A believer on their dying bed finds comfort in knowing they’ll soon be home with the Lord. For all who are saved, it’s good tidings that the Lord will come again and receive us unto Himself.