A Day of Good News


2 Kings 7:9  “Then they said to each other, ‘We’re not doing right. This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves. If we wait until daylight, punishment will overtake us. Let’s go out at once and report this to the royal palace.’”

Israel was in a bad place.  They were surrounded by their enemy, the Arameans, overwhelmed by famine, and prices were exorbitant.   The government had given up.

Four men with leprosy met outside the city gate.  As the marginalized of the community, they realized their fate had been set.  They were going to die. 

One man suggested to another, “let us desert to the Aramean camp; if they spare our lives, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die.” 

At twilight they set off to the enemy camp and when they arrived they were surprised to find it deserted!  God had defended the Israelites by making the Arameans hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a great army. The Arameans fled in fear, leaving everything behind!

The men with leprosy went from tent to tent eating and collecting great prizes. And then with a sense of guilt, one noted “We’re not doing right. This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves. If we wait until daylight, punishment will overtake us. Let’s go out at once and report this to the royal palace.”

When I first read this story as a teenager, I was convicted by these words.  I had good news!  Jesus was my best friend, my savior, my helper, and my God.   Life as a teenager was difficult, but I gained strength from this faith.  I had hope.  Some of my friends and family members were discouraged, were making poor choices, and lacked faith. What was I doing, keeping the good news of Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God from them?  I had been nourished by the Word of God and yet these people I loved were spiritually starving.  I felt wealthy in my faith, yet my peers were spiritually deprived.  How could I be so selfish and not share with them the good news?

“We’re not doing right. This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves.” – 2 Kings 7:9

Recently, I found the piece of paper where I had written down the words of 2 Kings 7:9 as a reminder.  On the opposite end of the paper I had recorded, Deuteronomy 31:6, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”   Amen.

Prayer:  God, help me to realize how good the news is that you have given us in Christ Jesus!  Help me to share this good news with faith and without fear.  Amen.

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