The Bible Matters Because _______________. Shembull

By ShareWord

It’s sometimes hard to remember the days when news didn’t travel like wildfire like it does today. With the invention of live social media channels and instant messaging, a story can span the globe instantly.

There’s a story in 2 Kings 7 that would probably play out a bit differently today for that reason. The city of Samaria had been under siege so long that famine had fallen on them in a severe way. They were trapped inside their walls with the enemy surrounding them. It had gotten so bad the Bible reports on the inflationary costs of donkey heads and dove’s dung. 

Meanwhile, outside the gates four men with a contagious skin disease (maybe leprosy) were sitting around in misery. Not only were they not allowed to live within the walls of the city, they were just as hungry as everyone else—maybe more. Life couldn’t get any worse.

They eventually decided to go to the enemy camp that was surrounding the city and give themselves up. Essentially they’re attitude was, “We’re going to die anyway, so we have nothing to lose.”

But when they got to the camp, they discovered the enemy had mysteriously fled, and left everything behind! Everything—food, wine, belongings, even their horses and donkeys! So the men, completely shocked, started eating and gathering up treasures. 

At some point they turned to each other and said, “This is not right. This is a day of good news, and we aren’t sharing it with anyone!” So they went back and told the gatekeepers the good news. Before long, the entire city was experiencing the same freedom as the first four men. 

God had rescued the city, but for a period of time no one knew about it. They were living in their misery. Behind a locked gate. Fear and anxiety in their hearts. Anger at how God had forsaken them. 

And then four desperate outcasts with nothing to lose discovered freedom.

If this story had happened today, instead of going back to the city gates, they probably would have pulled out their phones and tweeted or posted pics on Facebook of the abandoned enemy camp. Or maybe a live Instagram broadcast showing everything the enemy had left behind.

“God has #rescued us. We can’t keep this #goodnews to ourselves. The others need to know, too!”

That’s you today. You’ve been rescued. You’re the one standing in the enemy camp—free!

God has scattered the enemy. He’s offered a way to break the chains that keep people locked away in spiritual misery— hopeless and trying to be God in their own lives. 

That’s something worth sharing! 

Always remember the grand narrative of God’s story that you’re part of. God made you, God loves you, and God formed a rescue plan to save you from what you deserved—what you still deserve every day. And by God’s grace, He offers you the gift of new life. 

Share the rescue!

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