The house we are staying in is near the airport, and once every five minutes, we hear the sound of an airplane crossing above us. The noise is so loud that my husband keeps describing it as the noise God sent to the Syrian army to make them flee instead of warring against His people. This incident is found in 2 Kings 6 and 7, where "the king" is mentioned without his name. However, researchers attribute the king's identity to Jehoram, from Ahab's lineage.
This king was aware of God and knew that unless the Lord provided, he could not give anything to his people. This is evident in his reply to a woman who cried out to him. In verse 27, he said, "If the Lord won’t help you, what help can I provide?" When he learned that women among his people were eating their own babies to survive the famine in the country, he tore his clothes, and the people saw that he was wearing sackcloth—a garment of mourning. However, true to the nature of Ahab’s family, he stood against the Lord's prophet, Elisha.
Despite this, the Lord showed mercy to this king and his people. He sent a sound of an army, which terrified the Syrians, making them flee. Before this miraculous deliverance, there was an important conversation between the king, his servant, and Elisha. The king asked, "Why should I wait any longer for Him to do something?" Yet the Lord, in His mercy, gave an answer through Elisha. Elisha said, "Listen to what the Lord says: By this time tomorrow, you will be able to buy in Samaria three kilograms of the best wheat or six kilograms of barley for one piece of silver."
However, the king’s personal assistant doubted and said, "That can’t happen—not even if the Lord Himself were to send grain at once." To this, Elisha replied, "You will see it happen, but you will never eat any of the food."
When faced with impossible situations, may we be careful not to utter words of disbelief like the king's servant. God directly gave manna to the Israelites in the past, and if we have experienced His provision before, we cannot now doubt Him or ask, "Why should I wait for the Lord?" The truth is, it’s either Him or no other way. And if it’s Him, there is always a way. He is always faithful.
The king knew there was a God. He knew about the Lord God of Israel. But Elisha knew the Lord personally. May God help us to be like Elisha and speak as people who truly know the Lord.
Hey friend, even in the midst of famine, choose not to wear the clothes of mourning, for we serve a God who can change things in a single day. Whatever situation we find ourselves in, let us wear clothes of praise, for our salvation is near. The Lord is faithful.
Dear God,
Give us a heart that trusts You in the midst of famine—a heart that rejoices instead of mourning and one that is ready to receive Your miraculous provisions. We know and trust that You will make the enemy who besieges us flee by Your might.
In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
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