"We are not doing right'

In 2 Kings 7:9 is this confession from a group of lepers, "We are not doing right." From verse 3 until now is a story of 4 lepers that quickly unfolds, bringing them to this thought. All together they were having the time of their lives going from place to place just ecstatic about what they had discovered, selfishly carrying away new found treasures, keeping the spoil all to themselves. Then, suddenly without anyone calling them into account, their minds were jolted by the realization that their actions and attitudes were wrong. Their acts of selfishness, greed and their silence got to them. Does this happen to you? It has to me.

The remainder of verse 9 tells us more, "This is a day of good news, but we are keeping silent: if we wait until morning light, punishment will overtake us. Now therefore come, let us go and tell the king's household." Rejoicing in this great treasure with their lives being spared, how could they go on like this and keep silent? Their motivation for doing the right thing can be debated, and it might have been fear of getting found out, but at least they did the right thing. The king's household desperately needed 'good news.'

"I rejoice at Thy word, as one who finds great spoil," Psalm 119:162. Through our study of Elijah and Elisha we've found great treasures. In His Word we find life giving power, mercy and redemption. We find 'good news,' that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world (Luke 2:11), and if you believe in Him you will be given eternal life (Matthew 3:36), a life of purpose, meaning and power.

What's right?
Is it silence?
Is it waiting until morning light? or....
Is it going and telling 'the kings household' about the treasure, the treasure found in God's Word?

"open his eyes"

It was early in the morning. The attendant who served the man of God got up and went out. I'm sure he anticipated the pleasantness of fresh air and the wonder of a new day. He certainly did not expect what he was about to see, an unfriendly army of chariots and horses surrounding the city. Fearful and in a state of shock, he runs to his master, Elisha, saying with an uncertainty of their fate "What shall we do?"

"Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than who are with them." These words in 1 Kings 6:16 were Elisha's response. What could Elisha see that the attendant couldn't? The attendant saw no one there to protect them from this mighty, well prepared enemy. With compassion for his attendant and unwavering trust in the Lord, Elisha turns to speak to the One he knows can open the eyes of this concerned companion. "O Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." And, in fact the Lord opened the servant's eyes. He saw the surrounding mountain "full of horses and chariots of fire" all around them. He saw that they were protected, secure and would be cared for. His fear miraculously removed, the day took another incredible turn. This time it was through his eyes being opened to God's presence, power and pleasure in helping those who turn to Him.

Each Tuesday evening, before opening our Bibles we prayed together the words from Psalm 119:18. Also, in preparation for what God would show us in His Word we sang these precious words penned in 1896 by Emily May Grimes when serving as a missionary in South Africa; "Speak Lord in the stillness, while I wait on Thee; Hushed my heart to listen in expectancy." 

What shall we do?  Go to Him in expectancy. Confess our inadequacy and acknowledge God's sufficiency. Ask Him to open our eyes, to show us in His Word through the power of the Holy Spirit wonderful things, things that will cause us to "continue to find inspiration to trust in Him and to live faithfully every day." (Quoted from Faith Alive Christian Resources)  . 

"I wish"

Almost hidden in Chapter 5 of 2 Kings is this, "I wish that my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria. Then he would cure him of his leprosy." Words from a little girl taken by the Arameans in a raid on the border with Israel. Captive in a foreign land yet the Lord had this youngster in just the right place. As a servant of the army captain's wife this girl expresses compassion towards her master, Naaman.

A highly respected, valiant, victorious warrior, yet he was a leper. Could victory over this dreaded disease even be considered possible? Interestingly, the young servant girl was amazingly confident that her master the leper could be cured. Naaman shares her insight with his friend the king of Aram who responds without hesitation, "Go now." What follows are intriguing interactions with the king of Israel, Elisha and others that lead Naaman to the place where God could do His work, a place where he would come to know the one true God.

His leprosy gone and his heart committed to worshiping the Lord, he heads home but not before stopping to stand before Elisha to tell what he now knows and to express his gratefulness. It's in the15th verse as Naaman is testifying, that the words of the young girl, "I wish," became so significant, so captivating. Dee pointed out that the little Israeli girl had undoubtedly been taught the truths of the Lord in her home before she was taken captive. The girl's parents, who were diligent in teaching her, may never have known how their little one was used by God in such a great way. What an encouragement for us as believers to be faithful in spreading God's truths-even though we may never see the fruit.

Before getting in the car with her husband to go pick up their two young daughters, Sharon was imagining the far reaching effects of Naaman returning home as a changed man. "Don't you just wish we knew the rest of the story!"