A Day of Good News
When I was about 15 a couple of missionaries came to my home church, Peachcrest Baptist in Decatur. Their message is still very real to me, even after all of these years. They spoke from II Kings 7, and ever since, it has been one of my favorite passages. The truth which is taught by this story is vital for all of us all of the time. Let me explain it a little.
Four lepers saved Israel from starvation because of the siege by the Syrian army. They were the least noteworthy people in Israel. They were outcasts, because of their dreaded disease. No one looked to them for leadership, but they made a great decision. They reasoned that if they stayed where they were, they would starve. If they went to the Syrians, they might kill them, but they might let them live, so they took the risk. They stepped out, and they went to the Syrians. God rewarded their courage and risk taking by scaring away the entire enemy army. They won the battle without a weapon by God's power. They were busy eating the food and carrying away the valuables, when they came to another fantastic understanding. Then, they said to one another, "We are not doing right. This is a day of good news, and we remain silent. If we wait until morning light, some punishment will come upon us. Now, therefore, let us go and tell the king's household." They realized their sin of keeping silent, when there were people dying of starvation all around them. They went and told the good news, and many people were saved from death.
Do you see the obvious meaning for us today? We may feel insignificant, but we can overcome in God's power. We have to be willing to take a risk, and to know that to do nothing is wrong. Then, when God gives the victory like He did in sending Jesus for our salvation, we sin, if we keep silent. Our only option is to spread the good news and see the lives around us saved. Truly, we live in a day of good news. Are we guilty of the sin of silence, or are we sharing the good news of Jesus regularly?
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Kings 10-13.
Four lepers saved Israel from starvation because of the siege by the Syrian army. They were the least noteworthy people in Israel. They were outcasts, because of their dreaded disease. No one looked to them for leadership, but they made a great decision. They reasoned that if they stayed where they were, they would starve. If they went to the Syrians, they might kill them, but they might let them live, so they took the risk. They stepped out, and they went to the Syrians. God rewarded their courage and risk taking by scaring away the entire enemy army. They won the battle without a weapon by God's power. They were busy eating the food and carrying away the valuables, when they came to another fantastic understanding. Then, they said to one another, "We are not doing right. This is a day of good news, and we remain silent. If we wait until morning light, some punishment will come upon us. Now, therefore, let us go and tell the king's household." They realized their sin of keeping silent, when there were people dying of starvation all around them. They went and told the good news, and many people were saved from death.
Do you see the obvious meaning for us today? We may feel insignificant, but we can overcome in God's power. We have to be willing to take a risk, and to know that to do nothing is wrong. Then, when God gives the victory like He did in sending Jesus for our salvation, we sin, if we keep silent. Our only option is to spread the good news and see the lives around us saved. Truly, we live in a day of good news. Are we guilty of the sin of silence, or are we sharing the good news of Jesus regularly?
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Kings 10-13.