Second Kings tells of a time when Samaria was besieged by an evil king. The city was surrounded by the enemy army. There was no way to get in or out of the city, so no food or supplies could be brought in. As a result, there was a great famine in the city. Because of this, the people ate anything they could to stay alive. Some even resorted to cannibalism.
The people had given up hope but the Lord gave the prophet Elisha a word for the people. He told the messenger from the king that by the next day, there would be more than enough food to feed everyone. The messenger did not believe him. The messenger saw only the current conditions and could not imagine that in 24 hours the circumstances would drastically change.
Meanwhile, four men who had leprosy were sitting outside the city gates. Because of the disease which was considered unclean they were not allowed in the city. They decided they were not going to sit there any longer. They were going out to meet the enemy army. If the army took them captive, at least they would be fed. And if the army killed them, they were no worse off than if they stayed by the city gate—they would starve to death anyway.
At dawn the four men set out for the enemy camp. But when they got to the camp, there was no one there. The Lord had caused the army to hear chariots, galloping horses and a huge army approaching. The army panicked because they thought the king of Israel had hired more armies to come to their defense. This was what they decided they heard, so they fled into the night leaving their tents, horses, donkeys, food and everything else.
The four men ate their full, took some bounty and finally told the rest of Samaria of all the enemy army had left. Because of this, Samaria had more than enough to eat and word Elisha had told them came true exactly as he said.
I am telling you this story to encourage you that things can drastically change seemingly overnight. I do not know what you may be facing but I encourage you to not give up hope.
I knew someone who yearned to be married and to have a baby. For decades she prayed and sought God for a husband. This person reached her 40’s and still had not even dated more than once or twice. It seemed her situation would never change. It had gone on so long, it felt like it would go on forever.
Within a year this person had met someone, married and was expecting a baby. She never in her wildest dreams thought she would ever meet someone. Then to meet, marry and have a baby in less than two years seemed like a miracle. But that is how our God works.
I could give you more examples like this.
You may have things you have been praying about for years. It seems that nothing will ever change. You might be believing for healing, or for a situation to turn around, or for reconciliation with a loved one. Don’t give up. Keep on hoping, keep on praying and keep on believing. You never know when your “suddenly” will happen.
In the meantime, continue to seek God first in every situation. When you do this, you can have peace that passes understanding even during this season of waiting for your breakthough.
Each day is a gift. Keep praying and believing. You never know when your answer will come suddenly.
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