Reflections

“for the Lord had caused the Aramean camp to hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a great army. The Arameans had said to each other, “The king of Israel must have hired the kings of the Hittites and the kings of Egypt to attack us.” So they had gotten up and fled at twilight, abandoning their tents, horses, and donkeys. The camp was intact, and they had fled for their lives.”

2 Kings 7:6-7 HCSB

Elisha had prophesied that barley and fine meal would sell once again at the gates of Samaria by the next day.  At twilight four lepers decided to go to the Aramean’s camp to surrender to the Arameans hoping they would not be killed.  However, when the lepers got there they didn’t find anyone in the camp.  God had delivered Samaria by convincing the Arameans that a great army was attacking them.  The Aramean army fled and left everything behind.  The lepers found food, clothing, silver and gold.  The lepers notified the city’s gatekeepers that the Aramean army had fled.  The King sent messengers and found their camp empty with all their belongings.

“So they followed them as far as the Jordan. They saw that the whole way was littered with clothes and equipment the Arameans had thrown off in their haste. The messengers returned and told the king. Then the people went out and plundered the Aramean camp. It was then that six quarts of fine meal sold for a shekel and 12 quarts of barley sold for a shekel, according to the word of the Lord.”  2 Kings 7:15-16 HCSB

God had delivered Samaria from the Aramean’s hand.  There was no battle, no one lost their life.  God intervened and suddenly the siege and famine were over.

God can and will move suddenly in our lives when we need deliverance.  It was Elisha’s prophetic word that announced God’s deliverance.  What prophetic word have you received regarding your situation.  God will turn your situation around.  What seems impossible is possible with God.

The people were able to plunder the Aramean camp and as a result barley and fine meal were sold at the gates of Samaria again.  God gave more than they had hoped or asked for in this moment.  Another word that came to pass was the Captain of the King’s army was killed.

“The king had appointed the captain, his right-hand man, to be in charge of the gate, but the people trampled him in the gateway. He died, just as the man of God had predicted when the king came to him.”  2 Kings 7:17 HCSB

It is so important that we believe God’s word, so that we may be partakers of God’s promises.  We have to contend for God’s word and His promises. Do not be consumed by your circumstances or the fear of destruction.  Instead, be encouraged for the Lord is mighty to save.

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“Elisha replied, “Hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Lord says: ‘About this time tomorrow at the gate of Samaria, six quarts of fine meal will sell for a shekel and 12 quarts of barley will sell for a shekel.’ ” 2 Kings 7:1 HCSB

 During the Siege the famine was so great that a donkey’s head sold for 80 shekels of silver, and pigeon poop sold for 5 shekels of silver.  The situation in Samaria was dire.  The king sent a messenger to Elisha to kill him, because the king believed God caused this disaster.  Elisha knew the intentions of the messenger and delivered the word God had spoken.  Elisha made a declaration that the siege would be over by tomorrow when six quarts of fine meal and 12 quarts of barley would only cost a shekel. The message seemed impossible and the King’s messenger doubted God’s word.  So Elisha told him he would not eat any of it.

“Then the captain, the king’s right-hand man, responded to the man of God, “Look, even if the Lord were to make windows in heaven, could this really happen? ” Elisha announced, “You will in fact see it with your own eyes, but you won’t eat any of it.”” 2 Kings 7:2 HCSB

We are under siege.  There are so many reports about the magnitude of this pandemic, and each new day the message gets worse.  People are testing positive for the virus, people are dying, businesses are closing, and fear has gripped the people.  You may be experiencing your own difficulty and this pandemic has made your situation go from bad to worse.  There is fear and confusion.  What are we supposed to do?  When and how will this end?

Listen to the word of the Lord: “About this time tomorrow…”. God did not just say the siege would end but He announced what the result would be.  As far as we can ascertain the famine was so severe there was no grain or barley.  In order to make fine meal and have barley you have to plant and wait for the seeds to grow.  How is it that Samaria has no grain, but suddenly the next day be selling fine meal and barley for only a shekel of silver?  The siege and famine is over.  That is why the Captain responded that even if God opened the heavens could this word actually happen.  If we use human logic you would have to plant seeds of wheat and barley, wait for the harvest before you could sell any of that.  Also they are surrounded by Aram’s entire military.  How is this all going to work out by tomorrow?  It seemed impossible, but that is what God said.

What is God saying about our situation?  It is very important to listen to the prophets who have spoken and even listen to God’s voice.  Do not give into the reports of doom or gloom.  My experience is God speaks to us even before tragedy strikes to prepare us for what is to come and to look to Him.  Also, what has God said about your situation?  Believe what God is saying.

“So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the LORD your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.”” II Chronicles 20:20 NKJV

Finally, we have to contend for God’s word.  We cannot allow doubt and unbelief rob us of God’s promises.  Elisha told the Captain he would see the word manifest but not eat any of the food.  Do not miss God’s blessings, hold onto His word.  Be convinced God will do as He said.  The Siege is over.

To be continued…God’s Word is Manifested

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