In times of financial distress, we may be sure that those who have the least, experience the greatest trauma. When the Aramaeans put the city of Samaria under a siege, people were starving to death. The King blamed Elisha. Elisha promised relief. A group of four lepers despaired of life. They decided to go over to the enemy camp. Either the enemy would feed them or kill them. Either way, they thought their situation would improve.
When the lepers arrived, the Aramaeans were gone. They began to take the food and clothing of their enemies. A pang overtook their consciences. “What we are doing is not good. We cannot keep this news to ourselves.” So they went and shared their good news. The gatekeeper on the wall of the city shouted the news that their enemies had fled. But the King thought it was just a ploy by their enemies to entice them out of the walls of the city. Nevertheless, the prophet’s words came true: the siege ended and God provided abundantly for his people.
What is the best news we have heard lately? This morning I was reminded again that God is at work in our church. One man started praying on his knees in our chapel at lunchtime. Now others are joining him. Children are turning to the Lord, leading their families and our church family back to God. We must not keep the good news of God’s good work to ourselves. With every telling of a “God-story,” hope grows within us. God is making a way for us to return to him. Go and tell somebody today.
