People of a weak mind

From desperation to discovery - the four lepers' journey of surrender

Last Week’s Sermon

Title: People of a weak mind (Min. Absalon Castillo)

In 2 Kings 7:3-11, God uses an unexpected group of lepers to bring good news into a city filled with fear. The Syrian army had besieged the city of Samaria. Fear and extreme hunger had set in, and the people of Israel remained paralyzed in their despair, unwilling to turn to the Lord for His rescue. 

Outside the city, four lepers dwelled in a worse situation. Hungry and ill, the lepers belonged to a people without hope. In their desperation, they decide to surrender to the Syrian army. Could it get any worse? 

To their surprise, their surrender gave way to a victory. When they thought they were surrendering to the circumstance, they were in fact surrendering their pride, which prevented the people of Israel from turning to the Lord (2 Kings 6:33). 

So, what does surrendering our pride do?

We learn from the lepers in this story that surrendering our pride to God,

1. Provides an opportunity for renewed hope in God

2. Allows God to provide in the valley of the shadow of death

3. Helps us sympathize and share the Good News with other hungry pilgrims

Arriving at the Syrian camp, the lepers found the Syrians' goods, ready for plunder, without a Syrian in sight. The famine was over for these four lepers. God had provided. 

Would they keep this news to themselves?

Anyone that has tasted the goodness of God, like these lepers, is unable to contain the excitement of God’s salvation. The lepers ran back to town, shared the good news with Israel, and the people of God were saved.

Scriptural Text to Contemplate

Matthew 5:6 - Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.

Prayer

Our Father in heaven, thank You for the salvation we have found in Your Son Jesus. We were once lost. Estranged from your people. Living outside, but You have brought us in by Your Son. We have tasted and we have seen Your goodness. Sadly, there have been times we have been far too selfish with this good news. Cleanse our palates. Let us taste it anew. And give us the passion to share the salvation found in Jesus with others hungering for You, just like we were. Lord, Your riches abound, and I know there is enough for us all. In Jesus’ name.  Amen.