Cleaning Deadly Stew
Daily Old Testament Reading: 2 Kings 4-7
Daily Focus Passage: 2 Kings 4
In 2 Kings 4, we find two major issues confronting the people. First, the stew contains bitter and poisonous herbs and vegetables. Second, there is not enough stew to feed the masses present. God will use Elisha to declare the goodness of the Lord at this moment. The Lord will work in a manner that cleanses the deadly stew and demonstrates his goodness.
THE LORD KNOWS THE MOMENTS OF CRISIS
The Lord is ever aware of the moments of life crisis. God is never caught off guard. In this passage, we find that two problems exist: the bad content of the stew and the limited quantity. These crises occur as people come to the end of their strength, patience, and resources. Yet, the Lord uses these moments to work in our lives.
THE LORD PROVIDES HOPE IN THE CRISIS
When crises strike, the Lord works to provide hope. When the pot of stew in this passage contains death, which seems too small, God works in his way. The hope that the Lord provides rest in the reality that God is present and at work in the middle of the crisis. Hope occurs when we know the Lord is with us and going before us in these moments.
THE LORD GIVES ASSURANCE IN THE CRISIS
Crises often tempt us to lose confidence in our ability, and we fall prey to questioning everything we attempt to do. The loss of confidence occurs because we look to the self instead of the Lord. Even in the darkest moments of life and the moments of failure, we find assurance in the Lord's presence, work, and person. He allows us to stand in assurance because he is the solid ground needed in uncharted territory.
THE LORD REMAINS FAITHFUL IN THE CRISIS
As we walk through life, the Lord remains with us and before us. The Lord does not abandon us in troubled water but remains faithful. His faithfulness never fails and never ends. He remains true to the promise of his presence and the promise of his work because he is a Promise Keeping God. Thus, his faithfulness is enduring. His faithfulness and the promise of his faithfulness provide hope and certainty for us in moments of crisis.
THE LORD REVEALS HIS POWER IN THE CRISIS
The Lord empowered Elisha to use flour to offset the deadliness of the stew. The use of flour revealed God's power because flour cannot deadliness from the stew in and of itself. Instead, the act served to show the power of the Lord to take the everyday element. At the same time, the Lord revealed his power and ability through maximizing the stew to feed everyone. Thus, the Lord used the crisis to demonstrate his great power and care for his own.
THE LORD REVEALS HIS MERCY IN THE CRISIS
God used the crisis to reveal his merciful nature. Mercy occurs when God’s unmerited favor is poured out on his children. More specifically, mercy occurs when God withholds what we deserve. The people did not deserve the intervention of the Lord, yet he chose to intervene because of his goodness and mercy for his children. He provided a cure to death that was not deserved. He provided the nourishment that was not deserved.
The Lord takes the moments of crisis and creates ministry opportunities. He uses the difficult times to show his goodness and faithfulness to people. When the deadly stew of life appears, the Lord alone holds the needed cleansing agent that brings redemption, hope, provision, and assurance.
