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This sermon – Windows of Heaven – was originally preached 2013.08.04 by Dan Freed.
Scriptures used: John 11:26, 2 Kings 7, 2 Kings 6, Romans 15:4, Mathew 6, Philippians 4.
The Problem of Famine
Elisha was fixed on God, His word and His promises.
Elisha told the King that there was going to be a change in the economy. The change was so unbelievable that it was impossible to even conceive that such a thing could happen.
A famine was proclaimed and a famine was experienced.
Jehoram found it easier to blame Elisha than to recognize his own part in “blame” for the famine.
We get the picture that the king was trying to be patient with Elisha, but when he heard that children were being eaten something snapped. Jehoram somehow thought that getting rid of Elisha would somehow make things different.
When we are facing trials we have options. We can take things into our own hands. Or we can blame others. Neither of which are good.
Or… we can do as David did, we can “Lift our eyes to the hills…”
The lady in our story cried out for help. But she looked to the wrong person, she looked to the King.
The Promise of Food
Meanwhile Elisha was given a word from the Lord… that there would be a break in the famine the next day. God, through Elisha, said that the next day would bring prices that were waaaaaaaay lower than they had been.
Probably no one really believed him. They may have believed that he was “delirious…”
There was a group of lepers outside of the city who decided they had three choices.
- They could stay where they were
- They could go back into the city where things were not good at all
- They could surrender to the enemy armies that had the city under siege
Once they had decided to turn themselves in to the enemy. The lepers found an empty enemy camp. God had caused the enemy to hear the sound of chariots and horses. Believing that the Israel had hired an large army against them they fled. Leaving behind their tents and all their “stuff” – food included!
The Word of the Lord
Heaven isn’t lacking anything.
Our needs are varied and different. But no matter the things that we are lacking, God has the answer – we can have hope through comfort and faith in the Scripture.
Adrian Rodgers said, “There are two days that can steal the joy out of today. Yesterday and Tomorrow.”
When God looks at us, at our lives – there is no panic – only plans.
Don’t let the worries of yesterday steal your joy for today. Nor the worries about tomorrow.
Jesus tells us that God takes care of the things that are under Him, the things that he has created. The sparrows. The lilies. Will He not take better care of us?
God knows what we need and He wants to take care of the needs that we have.
The Proclamation of Freedom
The lepers had the chance to bring the good news to the city. They had found food, freely available.
Lessons we can learn.
We may each feel a personal need and famine in our lives. There is food! There is an answer! God is that answer.
Not only was the city given food, they were also released from the oppression of the Syrian army. They were free!
Six Windows of Heaven – Lessons
- God is love.
- God is able.
- God is true to his promises.
- Our problems are actually God’s opportunities.
- Jesus is our life
- Jesus is available – to everyone.