By Jenny Botting
Tuesday 28 July 2020
Our daily Bible reading for yesterday was the story of the siege of Samaria as recorded in 2 Kings chapter 7. Inside the city conditions were dire and getting worse. Outside the city walls were 4 lepers in isolation and they said to each other if we go into the city we will die of starvation, if we stay here we will also die so what have we got to lose if we surrender to the Arameans.
So they set out but to their amazement the camp is deserted – everything was left as if the soldiers had left in a great hurry, in a panic.
Why?
Because the Lord had made the Arameans to hear the approaching of a great army, the rumble of chariot wheels, the clatter of horses hooves, the marching of feet, the shouts and war cries of the soldiers. No wonder they thought they were being attacked!
There are many passages in the Bible where we are told to be courageous because the Lord is with us. But in this passage we are told to be courageous because the Lord has gone ahead of us, preparing the way.
Jeremiah 29 v 11 is a favourite of a lot of folk, including me 'For I know the plans I have for you' says the Lord , 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you' declares the Lord.
I'm often amazed that our Bible notes which are written months in advance of publication are so relevant to the current situation. None of us knows how the world is going to change or what the future holds. In our isolation may we find courage to face each day and hope in the fact that we have a God who has gone ahead.
My prayers are with you all.
JennyB