WE CANNOT KEEP THIS GOOD NEWS TO OURSELVES
19th Oct 2022
2 Kings 7 records an incident of the Syrian Army laying siege to Samaria. People were starving, all seemed hopeless. Four lepers at the gate of the city felt that death was inevitable. They decided to go to the enemy camp where there was food. They might meet their death there, but if they stayed where they were they would also die.
As they approached the Syrian camp they found it deserted; the Syrians had heard the sound of horses and a mighty army and had fled in fear and panic. The lepers were amazed and began to eat, drink and then plunder the camp of silver, gold and clothing.
They realised that they should go back to Samaria and share the good news. It says in 2 Kings 7:9 in The Message, “Finally they said to one another, “We shouldn’t be doing this! This is a day of good news and we’re making it a private party! If we wait around until morning we’ll get caught and punished. Come on! Let’s go and tell the news to the king’s palace!”
Recently we watched a video of Billy Graham meeting the Queen, which also showed footage of the Crusades during the 50’s and 60’s where so many found personal faith. Postwar Britain was a mess, political uncertainty, industrial strife, food shortages; not dissimilar to today. The simple gospel message brought hope and many thousands found peace in Jesus and so much more.
We who know Jesus are like those lepers - we have found treasure, food, good things, defeated enemies who can no longer take us captive - but are we keeping the good news to ourselves? Are we telling those who are starving in captivity and facing death that there is a way of escape?
* We have escaped death and have been given eternal, resurrection life.
* Loneliness has been replaced by the presence of Jesus in the person of the Holy Spirit.
* We have been given authority over all the works of the devil.
* We can receive instructions and wisdom as we hear the voice of the Spirit.
* As beloved children, our Father will provide for us.
* Peace is God’s gift to us, guilt and shame have been dealt with.
* He is our healer and will release us from emotional pain, trauma as well as physical issues.
Born again means a brand new start in life - hope for today and the future, and the security of knowing our sins forgiven, and when we die we will spend eternity with the Godhead.
Don’t keep this good news to yourself. Pray for opportunities to share with others what is real for you.
by Joyce Sibthorpe
