Main Text: 2 Kings 2:19–22
We are beginning a series of teachings drawn from 2 Kings 2:19–22 under the theme: “According to the Word of Elisha.”
This great miracle is told in only four verses, yet each verse contains profound lessons for our lives.
In the first verse, the people of the city came to Elisha and explained their situation. They said, in essence, “The location of this city is pleasant, but the water is bad, and the land is unfruitful.”
The city presented two contrasting realities. On the outside, it was beautiful, pleasant, and well situated. However, beneath that attractive appearance, something was wrong: the water was bad, and the land could not produce fruit.
This situation resembles the lives of many people today. Everything may appear fine on the outside, while the reality within is completely different.
A marriage may appear happy in the eyes of others while experiencing serious difficulties behind closed doors. A business may operate from a beautiful building and be admired by many, yet fail to produce results. A person may appear to have everything under control while suffering inwardly and living an unfruitful life.
First Lesson: Bring to God the Situations You Cannot Resolve
The people did not try to hide their problem behind the outward beauty of their city. They acknowledged the truth and brought the situation to Elisha, the man of God.
The name Elisha means “God is salvation” or “My God is salvation.” Elisha was God’s servant, but the power to transform the situation came from God himself.
When there is a painful contrast between our outward appearance and our inner reality, we should not remain silent or seek help in the wrong places. We must turn to God and honestly present our situation to him.
I have good news for you today: God does not look only at outward appearances. He sees the source of the problem. He knows where the waters have become bad and where unfruitfulness has taken hold. What is hidden from people is never hidden from God.
Therefore, when you face a situation that you can neither explain nor resolve, seek God. Bring before him everything that is not working. He is the God who saves, restores, heals, and brings fruitfulness again.
Do not hide the bad waters behind the beauty of the city. Bring them to God, because he alone can transform the source.
By Kay Mbiola