2 Kings 6:24 – 7: 1-20 records the account of the king of Syria besieging the city of Samaria, producing famine therein. The king of Israel, in desperation, sent a messenger to enquire of Elisha a word from the Lord. 2 Kings 7: 1-2 “Then Elisha said, ‘Hear ye the word of the Lord; Thus says the Lord, Tomorrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria’. Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, ‘Behold, if the Lord would make windows in heaven might this thing be?’ And Elisha said, ‘Behold, you shall see it with your eyes but shall not eat of it’ “.
The king’s aid gave a very sarcastic reply in unbelief to the word God had spoken through Elisha. Chapter 7 reveals the sequence of events leading to God fulfilling His word by a supernatural deliverance at twilight. God caused the Syrian army to hear a noise of chariots and horses of a great host and the Syrians fled in fear of their lives, leaving everything behind. After the king’s scouts had verified the Syrians’ departure, the king appointed the sarcastic aid to have charge of the gate. He was trodden to death as the desperate people surged to buy flour and barley available after the siege. God’s word was fulfilled. The king’s aid saw the flour and barley being sold at the gate, but he did not partake of it as he died in the crush.
When God speaks, beware of unbelief! In Hebrews 3:12 we find God’s view of it is termed “evil”, because He knows it separates us from Him. “Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God”.
Hebrews 11:6 declares “And without faith it is impossible to please God”.
In Luke 1 we find the account of the angel, Gabriel, visiting Mary and prophesying the forthcoming event of Jesus’ conception and birth. The angel’s words confounded her understanding and she replied to him, “……How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?” Mary was a virgin. The angel explained that the Holy Ghost would overshadow her and cause the holy conception of the Son of God supernaturally to occur. Mary bowed her understanding and responded, “……Be it unto me according to thy word”, (Luke 1: 38).
When God speaks to us, this is the response He is looking for: Be it unto me according to Thy word.
God, in His long suffering, continues to speak to us and woo us to learn to discern His voice. After He has spoken the journey begins, the trial of our faith to believe what God has said.
In the army men are taught not to move unless they hear the Commander’s voice. We need to learn this principle, only to move when God speaks. Jesus spent His entire three years of earthly ministry doing just that, only speaking the words His Father gave Him, only doing the works His Father directed and enabled Him to do. How could He do that? He had surrendered His own will in order to do the Father’s. We must learn from our Pattern Man, dying daily to our unsanctified flesh, and will, as circumstances arrive, learning obedience until the words, “nevertheless, not my will, but Thine be done” become an acquired taste – producing joy unspeakable and full of glory. Christ in me, the hope of glory……
Consider this. The trials of our faith produce the gold God is looking for in our lives in order for us to prove Him and trust Him. The result should be that we have a deeper relationship and fellowship with Him. This is His heart for us, to know His overwhelming love and commune with Him daily. He longs for fellowship with us. He created us for His good pleasure. A surrendered life allows the life of His Son to manifest in us, which delights His heart and brings glory to His great and wonderful name.
He is our ever present help.
Photo by Robert Linder on Unsplash
