Steven A. Bush - August 28, 2022
Withholding Good News Just Ain't Right
With Israel's capital city of Samaria suffering a severe famine due to being under siege by their Syrian enemy, a starving people resort to desperate acts. Donkey heads sell for 80 shekels of silver and a pint of dove's dung for 5 shekels of the same. Mothers resort to cannibalism and Israel's evil king Joram finds himself helpless under the fierce judgment of Almighty God. Meanwhile the nation's elders gather about the prophet Elisha who declares that God will bring about their deliverance the next day. That evening 4 lepers facing certain death outside the city gates decide to risk everything by surrendering themselves to the Syrians. But when they arrive at their camp they find it deserted. Fleeing in fear, the Syrians left all their food and possessions behind. The lepers eat and loot and party on until they realize their discovery is such good news it must not be withheld. They go and share the good news with the king and Israel is delivered. The far greater reality of being brought to salvation in Jesus Christ comes with joy inexpressible. Our leprosy of sin is healed by our Lord's stripes and we are made clean! Eternal life is bestowed! The priceless treasure of being restored to God is beyond incredible! And then we realize withholding Good News like this just ain't right! Besides God's Word saying we must, love compels us to eagerly go and tell...
Scripture References: 2 Kings 6:24-33, 2 Kings 7:1-20, Romans 10:14-15