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?

Invitation 2

2 Kings 7:8-9

Continuing with the story of the army of Aram laying siege in Israel, four men with leprosy have decided to take their chances with the enemy. They left the besieged city of Samaria to go to the Aramean camp. They had nothing to lose. Either they died of starvation or they died at the hands of the soldiers. But the enemy might be merciful.

Surprisingly, when they arrived they found the camp deserted. God had performed a miracle in the gathering gloom of dusk and made the Arameans hear the sounds of an encircling army. Fearing a trap, the Arameans fled and left everything behind.

What did the lepers do in the camp? What decision do they make?

Four hopeless men in a hopeless city enduring a hopeless situation decided to take their chances with the enemy. There was a slim chance that their lives would be spared and this attacking horde would share some food.

Instead, these four find an empty camp – empty, that is, of the enemy. But the tents were still full of food and riches, left behind because of the miracle God had worked. And now these four bold (or desperate) men could gather whatever they wanted for themselves.

But then their consciences begin to nag them. It is not right that they should enjoy so much goodness while the rest of the city languishes. The abundance and blessing of God’s miracle should be shared.

Our lives may not be filled with the same riches these four men found, but we are given abundant blessings from God. We are frequently witnesses to miracles and good works from the Lord. God fills our lives with goodness and meets our needs. And we are always invited to the abundant table of God.

But, God’s table is open to more than just ourselves. God’s table is meant for all people. Like the men in the story, it is not right that we keep our blessings to ourselves.

God’s abundant goodness in our lives should be shared with others. We can share in the material blessings we have had, and we can share in the spiritual blessings we have experienced by witnessing to God’s goodness or by sharing of ourselves with those in need.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What blessing can you share with others?