Read 2 Kings 6:24-7:20.

The king of Syria was, quite literally, starving the people of Samaria to death by preventing them from accessing food in the fields and farms. But through the prophet Elisha, God announced that liberation was coming.

Elisha proclaimed, “This is what the Lord says: About this time tomorrow, a seah of the finest flour will sell for a shekel and two seahs of barley for a shekel at the gate of Samaria” (2 Kings 7:1). This was a very specific prophecy. God was telling His people that even though food is scarce today—and the price for any edible scrap is astronomical—relief is coming. Abundance will shortly return.

Whenever God speaks, there will be some who believe and some who laugh. The hardhearted and the arrogant always mock the good news. The general of Israel’s army couldn’t believe what Elisha was telling him (see v. 2). He was sure that even if food began to fall out of the windows of heaven, there was simply no way things would return to normal that quickly!

This general could see the vast armies of the Syrian king and his fellow Israelites begging and starving. He could see no reason to hope. On the other hand, Elisha had faith that nothing is impossible for God, so with spiritual eyes, he could see the supernatural liberation that would come by the power of the faithful God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Of course, God was as good as His word. He caused the Syrians to hear the sounds of a great army racing to attack them, and the aggressor became the hunted in a flash as the Syrians fled in fear. In fact, they were so terrified that they did not waste time packing up their tents and supplies. When the Samarians heard of the miraculous provision and victory, there was a stampede to the Syrian encampment, where people could finally find sustenance, and the general who had mocked the Lord and His prophet was trampled.

There is a day coming when those who have rejected the Word of the Lord, ignoring His invitation to eternal life, will be judged. No one will escape. But for those who believe God’s Word and trust in His supernatural power, our salvation will be at hand.

Prayer: Lord, I know that what You have said in Your Word will absolutely come to pass. Help me to have faith to trust in Your timing, love, and provision. May I develop thankfulness in all circumstances, for You are my Savior, my Fortress, my strong Deliverer. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Elisha replied, ‘Hear the word of the Lord. This is what the Lord says: About this time tomorrow, a seah of the finest flour will sell for a shekel and two seahs of barley for a shekel at the gate of Samaria’” (2 Kings 7:1).

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