Four, By Two.

Now there were four men with leprosy at the entrance of the city gate. They said to each other, “Why stay here until we die? If we say, ‘We’ll go into the city’—the famine is there, and we will die. And if we stay here, we will die. So let’s go over to the camp of the Arameans and surrender. If they spare us, we live; if they kill us, then we die.” (Second Kings 7:3-4)

It’s very interesting that over the past two Sundays, our morning sermons have featured four unnamed men. On March 15, we considered the Mark 2 account of the paralytic whose healing was appropriated through the faith of four friends. This past Sunday, we read the story of a nation rescued from famine by the hope of four men. As we continue this week's reflection on Second Kings 7, let’s take time to consider one of the points shared by Pastor Joy (paraphrased here): When we are besieged, and it seems there is no way out, we must remember that the Lord is nigh.

Our pastor noted that these four men found a “ray of light” in the midst of famine and despair. On the surface, it was a crazy idea: go and surrender themselves to the enemy. But their hope was evident in their logic: If they spare us, we’ll live. If they kill us, it’s okay—we were going to die anyway.

Pastor Joy reminded us that we are able to have hope even in the darkest situation. The four men certainly could have focused on the sufferings they had endured: they were lepers, they were outcasts, and they were starving to death. Their choice to take hold of hope changed their outlook on life.

What a radical hope they professed: There's a possibility we might be sustained by our nation’s enemy for the duration of this siege. The four lepers didn’t add on hopes for healing, or acceptance, or understanding. They simply expressed their hope for a basic need, food, and God came through with far more than they had hoped for. I wonder if we, today, would express a hope so bold… so simple… so radical.

Are you hopeful?

Lord God, You are the God who moved four men to make a radical move that saved not only themselves, but their nation. Help us to have hope so that we, like them, will see a “ray of light” emerge out of our darkest circumstance. Help us to understand that You can provide sustenance from our enemies just as easily as You provided manna from heaven. Help us to petition You with the words You gave us: "Give us this day our daily bread." Help us to be one of the "four" whose hope can save a nation. We ask this in Jesus's name, thankful for the basics, and conscious of Your ability to do the miraculous. We love You, Lord.

All Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.