by Will Ueland

Life is not a Disney movie. I tend to believe that if people do good, then they will receive the benefit of their goodness. Not that this benefit needs to be the reciprocation of a good act or money, but just that both parties will be able enjoy life even more with the knowledge that they have helped someone or have been helped by another person. Upon the Aramean's capture in Samaria, the king showed the army grace by feeding them and returning them to their master under God's direction. This act of kindness ended the continual raids upon Israel (2 Kings 6.22-23). I expected the next verse to read, "And they lived happily ever after," especially since the order to return the army to their master was ordained by God. Instead, we read: "Some time later, Ben-Hada king of Aram mobilized his entire army and marched up and laid siege to Samaria" (2 Kings 6.24). Did this king forget the grace that Israel had bestowed upon his men some time earlier? How quickly do we forget the goodness that we've received and turn back to our evil ways?

Upon hearing his people's plight, the king sought out the death of Elisha (2 Kings 6.30). After all, it was Elisha who told the king to release the Aramean army (2 Kings 6.22), and his God does not seem to be protecting them now. It seems that the king had every right to be angry at God and his prophet. I mean, people were starting to eat their own children (2 Kings 6.28-29). If this was not a valid reason to be angry at God for not protecting His people, I'm not sure what would have been. In the midst of all of this hunger and strife, God still proved himself to be present. Elisha knew of the king's plans before they could be carried out. Then, Elisha prophesized the deliverance of Samaria. Not only did he proclaim that God would save the people, but he provided such specific terms to the salvation that the people could test his prophecy and understand that it was truly from God (2 Kings 7.1). Moreover, the timetable for this turnaround was just one day! This must have taken a lot of faith on Elisha's part to boldly proclaim these facts. If the price of barley and flour did not fall by that time tomorrow, then I imagine the king and his people would have immediately sought after Elisha's life. This bold proclamation from Elisha must have been an encouragement to some of the people who must have felt that God had left them. As I go through my day and week, I must remember to continually seek His presence during the turmoil. I must remember that life does not always have a fairy tale ending, but that does not mean God has forsaken me. I just need to seek after Him.

A fellow traveler,
Will