2 Kings 7

Samaria, the capital of the northern section of Israel, was facing a severe crisis brought about by the powerful Syrian army. These adversaries to the east were preventing necessary supplies from entering the city. The king of Israel was distressed and angry. His wrath was directed toward Almighty God and the Lord's prophetic ambassador, Elisha. The king was convinced that this trouble had come from the Lord. Rather than humble himself before the Word of God, the king had committed his government to the goal of murdering Elisha.

The prophecy that came forth from Elisha would have been received as very good news if the king had been willing to receive it. Within one day the famine would be over. Yet even when the king heard a report from four lepers that the Syrians had unexpectedly withdrawn, he did not believe it.

God had worked miraculously to send the Syrians running home in fear. It was the Lord's good pleasure to use four weak and despised witnesses to bring the news back to the king and to the city. These lepers were not at first inclined to share the word of sudden prosperity with their neighbors. They thought only of their good fortune, taking steps to secretly amass as much as they could for themselves.

Thankfully for all those in the city who were starving to death, the consciences of these four men began to be troubled. Their words were very powerful: “We are not doing right. This day is a day of good news. If we are silent and wait until the morning light, punishment will overtake us. Now therefore come; let us go and tell the king's household.”

Eventually the king was forced to admit that Elisha had been right in all that he had said. It was a day of good news for the entire city, though one man died in the mad rush of a hungry populace. Even that tragic detail had been foretold by the Lord's prophet.

In this world we do have tribulation. Even the Lord's church faces suffering and persecution. Yet God will rescue us from every evil deed and bring us safely into His heavenly kingdom. (2 Timothy 4:18)

The Lord's providence in our lives does not always feel like great victory. Sometimes He works all things together for His glory and our good in such a way that we might wrongly conclude that He has abandoned and forsaken us. The cross reminds us that this cannot be the case.

One day we will see with our eyes the great rescue that God has provided for us. Until that day, we have the great privilege of announcing to the world that even today is a day of good news.

To keep the news of Christ to ourselves would be poor form. We have the deposit of the Spirit of heaven within us now. The Redeemer has died for us and risen from the dead. The church is bringing a message of eternal salvation to millions all over the world.

Let us join the Apostle Paul in saying, “I am not ashamed of the Gospel.” Let us go forth in the power of our strong Deliverer and bring good news to all who will hear. The Lord has provided food for the hungry that will satisfy our bodies and souls forever. How can we keep the news of this great bounty to ourselves?