Invitation 3

2 Kings 7:14-17

Our previous church held a picnic at the end of every summer and there were many people who attended. I was not one of them. For many years the thought of being around all these stuffy church people in a park was the furthest thing from what I imagined fun to be. Then one year, I don’t know why, I went to the picnic and had one of the best times of my life.

With the experience of enjoyment came the realization that I had passed over many opportunities to have fun at these picnics. I had missed out on several blessings because of my doubts.

News of the Aramean army’s departure was hard to accept. What did the king decide to do? What did they discover? How did the people react? What happened to the officer who had doubted?

We so want blessings from God. We so want to be happy in our lives, to experience joys, to feel loved, to feel that we have been given plenty. Yet, it is so hard for many to believe that God actually wants us to have these things too. It is hard for many people to accept the fact that God is waiting for the opportunity to pour His blessings onto our lives.

We assume that we deserve nothing and we will get nothing. Or worse, we confess with our mouths that God is the Almighty but we really don’t believe it. Miracles can’t happen.

But in fact miracles can happen and do happen. Miracles are waiting for you to ask for them. God’s abundant mercy, compassion, love and comfort is just waiting for you to turn to Him and ask for it. Say the words and the floodgates of the heavens will open.

The officer from 2 Kings 7:2 was not part of the blessings of God. He was not part of the great celebration. He did not receive God’s gifts. Instead, he suffered and died.

This is not to say anyone who doubts the abilities of God will die, but if you are unable to believe and accept what God can do then how will you receive these blessings? This is not to say every problem and challenge will be swept away at a word, but if you can’t believe in the power of God how will you receive His help?

God has invited you to the table He has prepared. Come to the table and accept whole-heartedly that God wants you to have His blessings. Then receive them with gladness.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What blessings have you passed over in your life?

Invited 1

2 Kings 7:1-2

This story from 2 Kings is about a time when the army of Aram, to the north, has laid siege to the city of Samaria in Israel. The siege has caused a shortage of food and the people are desperate, so much so that the king of Israel is ready to kill Elisha, the prophet, in anger.

What does Elisha predict (as compared to 2 Kings 6:25)? How does the officer respond? What does Elisha predict about the officer?

Elisha’s prediction seems a bit vague, but what is intended is that the prices of food which are high because of the famine, will drop due to an abundance of food. In spite of the siege and the resulting lack of food, somehow there will be an abundance within a day. A miracle will happen to give relief to these people.

Yet, the officer who is escorting the king will not believe that such a miracle will happen. The result? The officer will not get to take part in the miracle.

This prediction from Elisha is one of many of this prophet’s miraculous predictions and deeds. But, for our purposes, we do not need to look at the mystical qualities of the miracle. Instead we can look at the king and the choices he must make.

On one hand he has the prophet of God claiming God will do something wonderful for those who have faith. On the other hand he has the officer who serves as his escort casting doubts. Will he listen to the prophet or the sensible officer?

The same question is posed for us each day. Will we believe and have faith in God that all will work out according to God’s purpose? Will we believe that God can turn the impossible into the possible and provide and protect us no matter what the circumstances?

Or will we rely on our own human logic and claim that the impossible will always be impossible?

When we fail to trust in the miracles of God we become like the officer. We miss out on being part of the miracle. We pass over the opportunities to see God’s mighty hand doing wondrous things. This isn’t mystical or magical; it’s simple common sense. If you doubt God you don’t get to be part of the miracles. It is when you trust in the mighty power of our Lord that you get to experience the incredible miracles of the Almighty.

DAILY CHALLENGE: When will you need to trust in God’s miracles?