A Good Attitude
Classic ingratitude.
The king of Israel is being stalked by his enemy, the king of Aram. Elisha, who seems to be gifted with the ability to hear through walls at long distances, continually warns him of the ambushes and attacks being planned so that he can avoid getting killed (2 Kings 6:8-12).
"Royally" annoyed, the king of Aram plots to kill Elisha, but that too is foiled in that famous episode in Dothan. Elisha's servant discovers what the prophet knew all along: "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them" (6:16, NIV). The angelic hosts surround God's servants.
But then things change. Aram attacks Israel and besieges the city of Samaria. Things are very grim—no exaggeration considering it appears that people resorted to cannibalism during the siege (6:26-29). The king of Israel is angry at Elisha and now wants to kill him (6:31).
The end of the story sees God doing a miracle to save the city. We wonder why He waited so long and can only suppose it was because He was waiting for some other response than the one He got from the king of Israel. The northern kingdom was not particularly renowned for its obedience to God.
But the lesson for me today comes from the evidence of God's mercy. He used Elisha to save the king's life on many occasions, but it doesn't seem like the king was particularly appreciative of what God had done. Perhaps that was the reason behind the siege. Then, God rescues the king and Samaria, and again, there doesn't seem to be any response from the king to acknowledge what God had done.
I often take a lot for granted—hopefully not to the extent of the king of Israel who seemed to think God should help him in spite of his lousy attitude. But still, I don't say thanks often enough for the things that God continually does on my behalf as an expression of His mercy toward me.
The Psalmist wrote: "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations" (Psalm 100:4, 5, NIV).
Gratitude is a good attitude.
The king of Israel is being stalked by his enemy, the king of Aram. Elisha, who seems to be gifted with the ability to hear through walls at long distances, continually warns him of the ambushes and attacks being planned so that he can avoid getting killed (2 Kings 6:8-12).
"Royally" annoyed, the king of Aram plots to kill Elisha, but that too is foiled in that famous episode in Dothan. Elisha's servant discovers what the prophet knew all along: "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them" (6:16, NIV). The angelic hosts surround God's servants.
But then things change. Aram attacks Israel and besieges the city of Samaria. Things are very grim—no exaggeration considering it appears that people resorted to cannibalism during the siege (6:26-29). The king of Israel is angry at Elisha and now wants to kill him (6:31).
The end of the story sees God doing a miracle to save the city. We wonder why He waited so long and can only suppose it was because He was waiting for some other response than the one He got from the king of Israel. The northern kingdom was not particularly renowned for its obedience to God.
But the lesson for me today comes from the evidence of God's mercy. He used Elisha to save the king's life on many occasions, but it doesn't seem like the king was particularly appreciative of what God had done. Perhaps that was the reason behind the siege. Then, God rescues the king and Samaria, and again, there doesn't seem to be any response from the king to acknowledge what God had done.
I often take a lot for granted—hopefully not to the extent of the king of Israel who seemed to think God should help him in spite of his lousy attitude. But still, I don't say thanks often enough for the things that God continually does on my behalf as an expression of His mercy toward me.
The Psalmist wrote: "Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations" (Psalm 100:4, 5, NIV).
Gratitude is a good attitude.
Love this! "Gratitude is a good attitude." My new favorite quote!
ReplyDelete