God's Power on Display

God’s Provision and Providence.
2 Kings 4-8
“Behold, I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel” (5:15).
In today’s reading, we read about a number of events that have a common theme. The theme that permeates these chapters is that God is a God of grace who provides for those who trust in Him and is not hindered by any limitations that we see.  
First, in the story of the Shunammite woman, we discover God cares for us with a supernatural power.  As Elisha traveled throughout Israel, he often passed through Shunem, a small village southwest of the Sea of Galilee in the region of the tribe of Issachar. In Elisha’s travels, he developed a close friendship with a woman and her husband, so he often stayed at their home.  In an act of grace, Elisha predicted that she would have a son, even though she could not have children.  However, once the child became older, the child died.  In an act of incredible faith, she traveled to where Elisha was living, trusting that Elisha could do the impossible; he could raise her son from the dead.  In the story, we see how God provides for his people with supernatural power.
The second event that illustrates God’s care for us is in 6:8-23.  In this instance, the armies of Aram came and surrounded the city where Elisha was staying to capture Elisha.  It was a terrifying day when the town awoke and found that the army of Aram had set a siege upon the small town.  It struck terror into the hearts of the servants of Elisah, yet Elisha remained calm, for he saw the events through the eyes of faith rather than the lens of fear.  When we encounter circumstances beyond our control, it is easy for fear to take hold of our thoughts and strangle our faith.  However, Elisha knew something the servant did not.  Elisha knew that God protects people through the armies of heaven. We view the world through physical eyes, and as a result, we see only the dangers in front of us.  However, in this story, we are reminded to see the world through our spiritual eyes, and then we will see God's infinite resources to accomplish His purpose for us.
The last event is the siege of Samaria by the Arameans’ armies.  As a result of this siege, the city was facing a famine, and people were resorting to cannibalism.  When Elisha professed that in 24 hours the siege would be lifted and food would be so plentiful that it would be worth very little, the king and his attendants responded with scorn.  However, in the middle of the night, four lepers decided they would surrender to the Arameans, hoping to get food.  As they approached the camp in the early morning, God used the noise of their coming to deceive the Arameans by making them think they heard the sound of chariots and horses.  This caused panic among the troops, so they fled in terror, leaving behind all the food and provisions of the army.  In God’s economy, four helpless, hungry lepers can defeat a mighty army arrayed against his people.
These three stories serve to illustrate an important truth.  With God, not the size of our adversity nor the amount of resources we have available determines the outcome. Instead, it is the power and provision of God.  When facing uncertainty in life, we look to our resources available to us rather than the supernatural power of God.  However, God can heal the dead, send the armies of heaven, or even use the insignificance actions of four outcasts to achieve the victory.  How much more can God take care of us?  When life seems out of control and the problems insurmountable, we need to remember who God is and His providential care.  There is no circumstance beyond His ability to orchestrate, and nothing happens outside His control.  Therefore, we can rest and have peace even when life is confusing and hopeless. It is not our strength or resources; it is the power of God that assures us the victory.