READING FOR NOVEMBER 18, 2025: 2 KINGS 7, 2 PETER 1, PSALM 119:41-48 2 KINGS 7 Today (9/17/25) the Federal Reserve Bank lowered interest rates by .25 of a point. It’s the top story in the news. But Elisha opens this chapter by announcing that the crippling inflation in Israel will be over within 24 hours. His is much more dramatic economic news. The official upon whose arm the King of Israel was leaning said this couldn’t happen. He would learn the lesson many have learned in the Bible and people still learn the hard way: it is never smart to disbelieve the word of God, whether it be from a prophet or the scriptures. Elisha affirms the official will see it for himself but will not experience any of the resulting benefits.
God made this all come about without the help of professors of economics, insightful politi- cians or media pundits. Instead, he used four lepers. As we know from Leviticus, those with leprosy are not allowed in the city. In this case, they were by the entrance to the city. They reasoned that if they stayed where they were, they would certainly die. They thought why not surrender to Aram and at least take a chance they would be given food. This is smart. Some- times desperation prompts smart risk/reward thinking. This is not unlike the famous “Pascal’s Wager.” Pascal reasoned if God exists it would be best to become a Christian and receive eternal life. He said if God doesn’t exist, then he would not have lost anything by converting.
As the lepers reached the camp, they found the Arameans had fled but all their supplies were still in their tents. Unbeknownst to them, the Lord caused the entire camp to hear the sounds of a great army approaching. Aram mistakenly believed Israel had hired foreign mercenaries to kill them. So, they immediately fled, leaving everything behind. Those who reject God today are still laboring under false assumptions. Today the greater problem is not believing the solid evidence that is visible to all of us: “That which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, being understood by what has been made, so that they are without excuse” (Rom. 1: 19-20).
Understandably the four started feasting on the food left behind. To their credit, they felt guilty keeping all this food themselves when an entire city was starving nearby. Of course, we have much more important bread to share with those who are perishing: “I [Jesus]am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever” (John 6:51). So, the four told the city about this startling development. Ever hear news too good to be true? Initially that was the reaction of the King of Israel. After verifying the news, the king stationed his doubting official at the gate to supervise the people eager to claim the food. In their rush to get their share of the food, the people trampled to death to the official, fulfilling the prophecy of Elisha that this man would see but not benefit from this unexpected relief from the famine.
READING FOR NOVEMBER 18, 2025 CONTINUED: 2 PETER 1, PSALMS 119:41-48 2 PETER 1 Even in Peter’s greeting he includes the essence of the Gospel: We become Christians not from doing good works or being born into a Christian family. It is through faith in Jesus that we receive His righteousness and enter the Kingdom of God. Through this grace we gain experiential knowledge of Jesus, which, along with the subsequent wisdom given through the Spirit’s illumination of His word, brings peace. This peace can be enjoyed in the midst of the most tumultuous circumstances, such as experienced by these early believers. Do we feel sometimes that we don’t know enough to live in godly obedience in these current troubled times? Peter says we have everything we need if only we access God’s promises.
Peter then delineates how this godly virtuous cycle or upward spiral works: When we start with faith, we then strive to add goodness; to goodness we add knowledge; to knowledge we add self-control; to self-control we add perseverance; to perseverance we add godliness; to godliness we add mutual affection; to all this we add love. If we possess all these spiritual virtues, we can be productive for God. If we don’t, we are severely disabled and not living into our redeemed identity as Christians. Let’s do a spiritual inventory to see if we lack any of these essential virtue(s). It’s also a way of confirming that we really are Christians.
Peter reveals that his time on earth is fleeting. Thus, he feels leeway to speak frankly. Some of us are in the same boat and need to convey essential information about God before we pass. He stresses that his message about Jesus is not mythology but history that he witnessed himself. In fact, all of scripture is meant to be considered as God’s word, not just a figment of the writers’ imagination. Yes, the writers were human, but they were guided by God’s Spirit.
PSALM 119:41-48 These verses highlight the priceless benefits God’s word brings us. We experience God’s promised salvation and never-failing love or favor through God’s word. When we are mocked for our faith, we find the perfect response to those mocking us through trusting in God’s word. When we verbalize God’s word we can wait in hope. Need some hope today? Read this Bible passage aloud and be encouraged.
Here is a statement that on the surface seems counterintuitive to nonbelievers but is certainly true in this writer’s experience: When we obey God’s word, we experience freedom. How can we get the word out about this surprising cause and effect? The Psalmist also states we can speak God’s word to world leaders without any shame. If one thinks about it, consider how much greater God’s word is than anything a mere president, king, or prime minister could speak. The Psalmist recommends we delight, reach out to, and love God commands. In fact, these eight verses are particularly delightful. Read them once more and let them sink in.
