Have you ever felt like giving up? Is there an issue in your life that makes you feel lost and without hope? Everyone has their battles. It might concern our health (physical, mental or spiritual), financial difficulties or relationships with other people. Whatever the issue, we may become so overwhelmed that it feels like we are suffering a never-ending defeat.
Today guest speaker Graham Shearer reminded us that there is hope, no matter how impossible it may seem. Reading from 2 Kings 6:24-7:20, Graham used the example of the Israelites and their struggle to demonstrate how the work of God will achieve the ultimate victory against our battles.
The first section of the passages displays a fallen Israel, with a Syrian siege resulting in a severe famine. People were forced to pay high prices for unorthodox food, including a donkey’s head. Even more disturbingly, we read of a dispute between two women who agreed to cook and eat their sons (2 Kings 6:26-29). The shocking and grotesque actions of the Israelites emphasises their desperation and helplessness.
The Israelites are very open about their issues, whereas today, it is common to hide our problems for fear of showing weakness. However, Jesus himself encourages us to acknowledge our helplessness:
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
We should never try to hide our struggle. As Christians, part of accepting the glory of God is the recognition of our own helplessness. God is forever faithful; He will always respond to our call for help.
Further on in the passage, we see that the King of Israel is just as hopeless as the people, proclaiming:
“This disaster is from the Lord. Why should I wait for the Lord any longer?”
This may be a question some of us have thought during difficult times. Faith in God means that we have to wait for Him, trusting that He will choose the right moment to bring us peace.
“For everything, there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven”
God knows all the troubles we face; there is nothing new under the sun. We must remember to be patient for He is in control.
In response to the King, Elisha invites the people to ‘Hear the word of the Lord’. He reveals that within a day, God will end the famine and save them from their enemies. This is just one of many examples of the transformational power of God’s word.
Through His word, all things were created. God spoke and His word brought life and light. The word then became flesh through our saviour, Jesus Christ, who changed our lives eternally. Our freedom from sin and death is the ultimate transformation, through this we will never be defeated. God’s word has an unimaginable power that can overcome any battle.
“I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope”.
In the final part of the passage, we see that God was true to his word and transformed the Israelites situation. Four lepers enter into the enemy camp, discovering that the Syrians had abandoned the land. Just as He promised, the Lord defeated the Syrians and gave the Israelites victory. Initially, the lepers celebrated between themselves however, they soon realised they should share this good news.
“What we are doing is not right. This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves.”
God brings peace to all struggles, sometimes when we are least expecting it. Like the lepers, we will discover and digest the victory of God in our lives. Not only are we to discover this victory, but we must also declare this good news of God’s glory to others.
The Lord has the power transformation all of our troubles. In our helplessness we must wait on God’s word; through this, we can discover his love, joy and salvation. This is God’s victory over never-ending defeat.
- Will you wait on the Lord?
- Do you believe in the Word of the Lord?
- Are you willing to share the good news of God’s victory?
