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Have you ever encountered a very kind person that made a difference in your life? When I was a young man in my early twenties, I attended a large church several hours from where I grew up. There was a man on our usher team named Harold who was a very kind person. He was an older Christian who put his faith into action on a day to day basics. Not just during the Sunday worship service. This kindness over time had a large influence on me that I did not even realize at the time.
In our story the Lord showed kindness to the King of Israel by showing him where the enemy army of Syria was. Each time the army would move Elisha the prophet would inform the King of Israel. This kindness enabled Israel to stay out of a conflict with Syria or Aram. At the time Israel was not walking with the Lord, yet the Lord extended the olive branch of kindness to them.
8 When the king of Aram was at war with Israel, he would confer with his officers and say, “We will mobilize our forces at such and such a place.” 9 But immediately Elisha, the man of God, would warn the king of Israel, “Do not go near that place, for the Arameans are planning to mobilize their troops there.” 10 So the king of Israel would send word to the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he would be on the alert there. 11 The king of Aram became very upset over this. He called his officers together and demanded, “Which of you is the traitor? Who has been informing the king of Israel of my plans?” 12 “It’s not us, my lord the king,” one of the officers replied. “Elisha, the prophet in Israel, tells the king of Israel even the words you speak in the privacy of your bedroom!” 2 Kings 6:8-12.
The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 2:4, “Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?
The first time that verse really sunk in I was listening to Biblical teaching on this verse. I thought the pastor had misquoted the Scripture. Although I was very familiar with the book of Romans, somehow that verse never registered in my heart. As soon as I got home, I looked that verse up and the pastor had quoted the verse correctly.
God often uses kindness to draw us to faith. We may be running away, but the Lord pursues us. We may have been off the path for years, yet the Lord still intercedes in our life. We may not think we deserve God’s love, but He continues to run after us. Maybe you are running today, and the Lord is calling you to turn and come to Him. Or maybe the Lord wants to use you to show kindness to another person to make a difference in their life. Wow, what a privilege that would be.
Our Lord Jesus is the kindest father you will ever meet, and He loves you more than you can ever imagine. Do you hear Jesus calling you? God has great things for us as we embrace him and place our faith in him as our Savior.
To learn more about the story of Elisha click on the link: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/elisha-traps-the-arameans
Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (2 Ki 6:8–12, Romans 2:4). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.