"And he said, “This is what the Lord says: This dry valley will be filled with pools of water! You will see neither wind nor rain, says the Lord, but this valley will be filled with water. You will have plenty for yourselves and your cattle and other animals." 2 Kings 3:16-17
When it comes down to it, we do not like desperate situations because many of them feel out of our control. We cannot control a diagnosis we receive, the impacts of terrible weather, other people and how they respond to us, and countless other situations in life that we face. When things feel out of our control, we feel helpless and, yes, desperate. While these feelings are legitimate, followers of Christ do not have to feel stuck in these desperate situations. You see, while we are not in control, we know the One who is. Because of this, we can have peace in even the most challenging and desperate times.
This week, we have been looking at a desperate situation faced by the king of Israel, the king of Judah, and the king of Edom. They were without food and water and at risk of being invaded and conquered by the Moabites. They turned to God, who instructed them what to do through the prophet Elisha. As they followed God’s instruction, they saw a miracle take place. God provided water for the men and the animals. He also gave them victory over the Moabite army. They turned to God and were not disappointed because God is all-powerful and in control. He even uses our most desperate situations and brings good out of them.
Friends, our God is in total control. Everything that we are walking through, the good, the bad, and the in-between, He is in control, and because He is in control, we can trust Him. That means that you can trust Him in your desperate situation. The outcome may not always be what you had hoped, but you can trust that He controls everything. This truth, my friend, gives profound peace.
You have a God who completely controls every situation you have faced, are facing, and will face in the future. Pull out your journal or a notebook and take time to reflect on this truth. Write down the words, “God is in control.” After writing these words, think about the situation you are currently facing that feels desperate. Write it down, and, once again, write the words, God is in control. How does this truth bring you peace and confidence today in that situation? Write about this comfort that you have, knowing you are held by the One who holds the universe, even in the situation that you are facing.
2 Kings 3:21-27 (NLT)
"Meanwhile, when the people of Moab heard about the three armies marching against them, they mobilized every man who was old enough to strap on a sword, and they stationed themselves along their border. 22 But when they got up the next morning, the sun was shining across the water, making it appear red to the Moabites—like blood. 23 “It’s blood!” the Moabites exclaimed. “The three armies must have attacked and killed each other! Let’s go, men of Moab, and collect the plunder!”
24 But when the Moabites arrived at the Israelite camp, the army of Israel rushed out and attacked them until they turned and ran. The army of Israel chased them into the land of Moab, destroying everything as they went. 25 They destroyed the towns, covered their good land with stones, stopped up all the springs, and cut down all the good trees. Finally, only Kir-hareseth and its stone walls were left, but men with slings surrounded and attacked it.
26 When the king of Moab saw that he was losing the battle, he led 700 of his swordsmen in a desperate attempt to break through the enemy lines near the king of Edom, but they failed. 27 Then the king of Moab took his oldest son, who would have been the next king, and sacrificed him as a burnt offering on the wall. So there was great anger against Israel, and the Israelites withdrew and returned to their own land."
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