Word of Encouragement (07/16/2024)

And while he was still speaking with them, the messenger came down to him and said, “This trouble is from the Lord! Why should I wait for the Lord any longer?” (2 Kings 6:33)

Ben-hadad king of Syria besieged the city of Samaria, the capital of Israel, the northern kingdom. To make matters worse, there was a great famine in Samaria, so much so that cannibalism was being committed in the city (vv. 28-29). When the king heard of this, he tore his clothes and vowed, “May God do so to me and more also, if the head of Elisha the son of Shaphat remains on his shoulders today.” (v. 31).

Elish was with in his house with some elders when a messenger from the king came and spoke the words we have in today’s passage. We can see this as a prayer of lament.

This lament shows that the king recognized God’s sovereignty. This was certainly not a confession of faith and submission to God. It sounded more like a bitter accusation against God, blaming Him for the double trouble of famine and siege, which were afflicting him and his people. This is a curious phenomenon: people think of God and His sovereign rule over the affairs of the world only when catastrophes take place, and that only to blame Him. This is somewhat understandable. The sheer magnitude and dreadfulness of these catastrophes make them feel small and wonder about a powerful Being, who is in control of these enormous, terrifying occurrences.

Of course, they don’t think of God and thank Him when things are going well. In good times, they give themselves and everything else the credit except God. It is only when bad things happen and only to blame Him. Some with tender consciences may wonder they are being punished for all the wrongs they have done. But many lack the kind of self-awareness to recognize their responsibility or guilt. The king of Israel was one of those. He recognized God’s sovereignty, but he did not like it. And he saw nothing wrong with his idolatry in rebellion against God. He thought nothing of his personal and public sins as king.

Do you believe in God’s sovereignty? I hope it is not only when bad things happen and only to blame Him for them. Do you love God for His sovereignty and submit to Him in confident trust and willing obedience? Or do you resent Him for His sovereignty and foolishly rebel against Him out of spite? As Job’s case shows, not all troubles that befall us are a result of our sins. And for those, who are in Christ, we have the assurance that the sufferings that come in our way are not God’s punishment for our sins. For there is no condemnation for us who are in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:1), who took our sins and buried them in the grave. But God does discipline us out of His fatherly love (not as a judge) when we persist in sin. So, when bad things happen, it is good to humble ourselves before God and examine our lives to see if there is any wicked way in us (even when our suffering is not a result of our sin). God can use our (innocent) sufferings to sanctify us and grow us in faith.

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