Then Elisha said, “Hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord: ‘Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria.’ ” (2 Kings 7:1)
In the midst of a devastating famine, the king of Samaria, feeling overwhelmed and desperate, chose to blame God for the suffering of his people. However, despite his misplaced anger, God, in His infinite mercy and compassion, sent a message of hope through the prophet Elisha.
Many times when people lose their jobs or face adversity, such as losing their jobs or experiencing financial hardship, the first person they blame is not their company but their God saying, “God, you did this” But God, in His mercy, always sends a word and I believe the word of the Lord is coming to you. There is going to be a turnaround in your situation in 24 hours, in Jesus’ name. Somebody shout, “I receive”.
So an officer on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God and said, “Look, if the Lord would make windows in heaven, could this thing be?” And he said, “In fact, you shall see it with your eyes, but you shall not eat of it.” (2 Kings 7:2)
The officer, a high-ranking official in the kingdom, openly expressed his doubt in the word of the Lord, as delivered by the prophet Elisha. Our social status, wealth, or position should never hinder us from embracing the power and presence of God in our lives. In fact, these worldly accomplishments can sometimes foster a false sense of security and self-sufficiency, causing us to overlook our dependence on God.
This scepticism of the high-ranking official towards the word of the Lord is reflected in three areas:
1. He Doubted the Power of God
In Matthew 22:29 (AMP), Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for their lack of understanding, stating, "You are wrong (deceived, in error) because you know neither the Scriptures nor God's power." This profound statement reminds us that a lack of knowledge of God's word can lead to doubt in His power. The word of God serves as the foundation for our faith, and it is through the word alone that we can truly grasp the extent of God's abilities.
Take, for example, the high-ranking official who stood in the presence of the prophet Elisha and yet doubted the power of God (2 Kings 7:2). This scepticism stemmed from his inability to truly internalise and accept the word of God. When we fail to receive God's word into our spirit-man, we create a fertile environment for doubt to take root and grow.
It is vital to remember that God is not merely a talker or a passive observer; He is an active participant in our lives. As Jeremiah 32:27 declares, "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?" God's power knows no limits, and He continues to work miracles, both big and small, in our lives.
Unfortunately, some people teach that God's miraculous works were limited to the past. Associating with such individuals can erode our faith and cause us to doubt God's power. Instead, we should surround ourselves with those who believe in and testify to God's ongoing work in the world. Isaiah 59:1 reminds us, "Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear."
By immersing ourselves in the word of God and nurturing our faith, we can resist the temptation to doubt His power.
2. He Doubted the Creativity of God
The high-ranking official of the king, in his limited understanding, questioned the word of the Lord, saying, “Even if the Lord would make windows in heaven, the word of the Lord would not come to pass” He doubted the creativity of God’s power. This mindset is not uncommon among believers. Many times, we acknowledge God's power but still want Him to act in a particular way that aligns with our own expectations.
Isaiah 55:9 reminds us, "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." When we expect God to move according to our limited understanding, we are unintentionally limiting His creativity and divine power. This restricted perspective often prevents us from witnessing God's miraculous interventions in our lives.
Take, for example, someone praying for a financial breakthrough. They might expect God to answer their prayers by prompting a friend or family member to give them money. However, God's wisdom and power surpass our human comprehension, and He can provide solutions in countless ways we would never imagine. Whether it's through a fish carrying gold in its mouth or a raven bringing provision, God's ways are infinitely more creative and powerful than we can fathom.
I once prophesied over a young woman in an online service, telling her that she was about to receive a huge financial breakthrough. Sceptical, she voiced her doubt, saying it sounded too good to be true. But within a few days, she received a call from a lawyer in the UK informing her that her estranged aunt had included her in her will. Her aunt, who had no children and had lost touch with the family years ago, left her a considerable inheritance. Overwhelmed with emotion, the young woman tearfully shared her testimony, acknowledging the miraculous way God had intervened in her life.
The Bible provides us with numerous accounts of Jesus healing people in various ways, demonstrating His divine power and creativity. These diverse approaches to healing not only showcase His boundless compassion but also serve to remind us that God's methods are not confined to our expectations.
For instance, in Mark 8:22-26, Jesus took a blind man by the hand and walked with him, engaging in conversation and building anticipation for the miracle about to take place. This personal touch and time spent together exemplified Jesus' deep care for the individual.
Conversely, in John 9:6-7, Jesus employed a completely different method, using a mixture of saliva and mud applied to the blind man's eyes before instructing him to wash in the Pool of Siloam. This unique and unexpected approach resulted in the man receiving his sight.
These examples reveal that Jesus' healing miracles were not limited to a single technique. He chose to heal publicly at times, while in other instances, He performed miracles privately. Some were healed through physical touch or close conversation, while others received their healing from a distance.
These different healing methods serve as a reminder that God's ways are not confined to human understanding or expectation. Jesus' approach to healing was dynamic, versatile, and tailored to the individual's needs. His compassionate and creative nature defied conventional wisdom, and even today, He continues to work in ways that surpass our limited comprehension.
Remember, He is a creative and powerful God who can work wonders beyond our wildest dreams. So, let go of your preconceived notions and trust in His higher ways, knowing that He has the best possible plan for your life.
3. He Doubted the Messenger of God
Many times, we tend to focus on the outward appearance of a man or woman of God, allowing their physical attributes or material possessions to influence our reception of their message. If a spiritual leader is well-dressed and drives a fancy car, we are more likely to accept their teachings. However, if they lack charisma or external markers of success, some may find it difficult to receive their message. Scripture reminds us of this mindset in 1 Samuel 16:7, stating, "Man looks at the outward appearance."
Isaiah 53:2-3 reveals a similar situation with Jesus, explaining that "there was nothing beautiful or majestic about His appearance, nothing to attract us to Him. He was despised and rejected—We turned our backs on Him and looked the other way. He was despised, and we did not care." Despite being the Son of God, Jesus was rejected by His own people due to their superficial focus on His appearance.
2 Chronicles 20:20 urges us to "Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper." In these last days, while it's true that the Bible warns of many false prophets, we must not forget that there are also genuine prophets of the Lord. We should be cautious but also open to receiving the truth from God's messengers.
When encountering a man or woman of God who consistently walks in the fear of the Lord and demonstrates His power and character, we must learn to listen and receive their words. 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 instructs us to "not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good." It is crucial to discern the truth by testing everything according to the Word of God rather than relying on our own biases and preferences.
In our pursuit of truth, we must exercise discernment and be careful not to "throw the baby out with the bathwater." This phrase encourages us not to discard the good along with the unwanted or unhelpful aspects of a message. By focusing on what aligns with God's Word, we can hold fast to what is good and beneficial for our spiritual growth.
The high-ranking official in 2 Kings 7:2 disregarded the powerful track record of Prophet Elisha, choosing instead to judge him based on superficial factors and ultimately rejecting him and his message. This account serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the dangers of focusing on external appearances when assessing the credibility of a man or woman of God.
In our walk with God, it is vital that we do not allow superficial judgments to cloud our perception of His messengers. Instead, we should look for evidence of God's power and character in their lives and teachings. By doing so, we can receive the life-changing messages they bring, grow in our faith, and experience the fullness of God's blessings.
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