Be Careful What You Ask For…

2 Kings 20 and 2 Chronicles 32:24-33:6

This statement makes it seem like our wants and desires are always incongruent with God’s will for us. And yet the Bible is clear that there are times we “ask with wrong motives” (James 4:3).

King Hezekiah asked God for more time when he found out he was going to die and God favorably answered and granted him 15 more years.

One commentary said this: Hezekiah’s concerns were deeper than any personal desire for added years. His reforms were barley yet in progress. There was so much more to be done. Deeper still, he would die without a male heir, for no son had yet been born to him. What, then, would be come of the house of David? How could it end like this?

I don’t know how this sounds to you, but it makes me think King Hezekiah put more stock in his reign than the sovereignty of God. While it’s true that a king would be concerned about his policies and successor to the throne, to believe that his death would somehow impede God’s plan is more than a bit arrogant. And even though King Hezekiah credited God with his healing (Isaiah 38:15-20), a demonstration of his pride was not far behind (2 Chronicles 32:26-26).

God’s plan is always for your best. And if He chooses, like He did with King Hezekiah, to grant your request know this too is part of His plan. No matter how things turn out.

I’m not trying to discourage you from asking. Jesus in Matthew 7:7-8 tells us to ask and Paul tells us to pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17).* But if you are not getting the answer you want, trust that God has a grander purpose in mind. I feel silly even saying this, but I think it’s worth mentioning, God is outside of time and has a perspective that we don’t. And He just might have a good reason for saying NO to your request, no matter how important it may seem to you right now.

What if Hezekiah had listened to God and got his house in order and accepted God’s fate for him? These disasters may have been averted: Hezekiah’s display of pride, which led to a prophecy of judgment (2 Kings 20:16-18), the birth of Manasseh, leading to 55 years of detestable practices that provoked the Lord to anger against Judah (2 Kings 21:16), and a grandson’s two year reign being characterized as no better than his father Manasseh (2 Kings 21:19-22).

How can we be sure our will is lined up with God’s? Ask for wisdom (James 1:5)

What do you think God has said no to, but you’re still asking?
Who/What are you not ready to let go of?
Why aren’t you ready to let go? (Be honest. God can reveal things when we tell the truth.)
If God is saying no, how do you need to prepare to let go?

* Reminder: Prayer is supposed to be a two-way conversation, so be sure to take time to listen as part of your prayer times.

Healing Is Painful

2 Kings 5

Have you ever been so desperate for healing that even the words of a child seemed like the answer to your prayer? This was Naaman’s reality. Though he was a great man, army commander, and valiant soldier, he couldn’t escape the daily battle with the deadly disease of leprosy. Naaman based his hope of healing on the words of a young servant girl from Israel, “If only my master would see the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” (2 Kings 5:3)

There are many people on our path toward healing and God can use anyone one of them to speak healing, regardless of their circumstances.

When Naaman reached the prophet Elisha things didn’t go as Naaman thought they should and his desire turned to anger. Sometimes being healed may require you to be willing to do things that don’t make sense, or things that will expose your brokenness to outsiders.

Again, God used the unexpected to speak truth to Naaman. His servants could have chosen to stay quiet and not call their master out about his pride and unwillingness to be obedient. Sometimes it’s those around us that have faith for us, speak truth to us about our attitude, and challenge us to do the very thing that will bring us healing.

Healing is a painful process filled with the unexpected. I think it’s why Jesus asked the man at the pool of Bethesda, what many of us consider a silly question, Do you want to get well? (John 5:6) Many of us would respond, “Well of course.” We may say we are willing to do anything until anything is required of us, and it’s then that we decide how badly we truly want to be healed.

Like Naaman we may have to humble ourselves to the instructions of another and be willing to be exposed in order to receive the healing we so desperately need.

What kind of healing do you need? Physical, emotional, familial, financial, relational…

Who are the unlikely people God is bringing your way? They just may be part of your healing process?

Who in your life who will stand up to you, and speak the truth in love, when you’re being stubborn?

Desperation, anger, pride, shame, frustration, and obedience can all be part of your process. Where do you find yourself now?

Have you ever thought though your healing will benefit you, maybe it’s also about those watching your life as the process unfolds? God may use what is happening in your life to ignite, restore, or build faith in the onlookers. Would that change your perspective or how you embrace your healing process? Don’t be fake about your pain, fear and frustration, instead be honest and let God do what he will and get glory even from the darkest circumstances.

Life through kindness, compassion, and honest pain

Those with the gift of service and hospitality often meet a need even before it’s spoken. The Shunammite woman of 2 Kings 4:8-37 is like that. The prophet Elisha was a regular visitor to her town and she took notice. She fed Elisha. Then used her own money to build an addition to her home where he and his servant could stay when they passed through town.

Elisha wanted to reward and bless her – You have gone to all this trouble for us. Now what can be done for you? Can we speak on your behalf to the king or the commander of the army? (2 Kings 4:13). The woman was satisfied with the life she had.

She and her husband, however, were missing the blessing of a child and she never dared to ask. The promise of a child became her reward. Life came through her as a gift from God. And as sometimes happens our blessings become burdens.

Grief stricken, at the death of her child, the Shunammite travels to visit Elisha. Her journey was long enough to ponder the anguish of her loss and she said what many of us would only allow ourselves to think, “Did I ask you for a son, my lord?” she said. “Didn’t I tell you, ‘Don’t raise my hopes’?” (2 Kings 4:28).

What I love is the honest expression of her pain. She doesn’t sugar coat it. Grief can’t be wrapped up with a nice neat bow and put off to the side. We are meant to feel and process our grief.

Notice Elisha’s response. He is not put off by her strong emotions. Instead he responds with urgency, believing God can bring life out of death. Elisha was filled with compassion. And his compassion, along with God’s resurrection power, returned the Shunammite’s son to life.

Are there times when what once felt like a blessing began to feel like a curse?

When have you questioned a gift and/or the giver?

Have you experienced grace and healing in the midst of intense sorrow?

*Give yourself permission to grieve. God will stay with you through the rough places.