Did you ever wish that God would deal with someone who has threatened you, hurt you, or just done you wrong? I found myself wishing just that one day. Then I asked myself, is it wrong to do that? Or should I have done something different?
I recalled the story of Elisha and the she-bears in 2 Kings 2:23-24. The Prophet Elisha had just healed the water in Jericho and was on his way to Bethel. He was approached by “some” young men the Bible tells us. So picture an older man without any defense walking down a road. He notices some movement on the side of the road, and nervously quickens his pace. A considerable number of young men, up to no good, encroach on him. You know the type: with smirks on their faces, they seem to revel in causing panic. Confident in their number and their own strength, perhaps they pushed him from behind a little, the Bible doesn’t say, but it does tells us that they taunted him calling him “Baldy.” Perhaps, they said something like, “Hey, Baldy, where do you think you’re going?!” or “Yo, Baldy, you’re on our turf!”
Elisha felt threatened by these hoodlums, but his faith kicked in. He called on the same One who delivered Daniel from the lions. The exact words aren’t given to us, but Elisha turned to face them and “pronounced a curse on them in the name of the Lord.” Immediately, God sent two she-bears (we call them sows nowadays) to maul 42 of the youth. I imagine there were likely more young men than that. Imagine the terror that went through these young men’s heart and mind as they witnessed the bears maul their cohorts and then turn on them! Needless to say, it must have been a horrific ordeal. Perhaps a few escaped and returned to their village to explain what happened to the remainder of the lads. Nonetheless, Elisha escaped and went on his way.
This story shows us several things. Foremost, it shows us that when God says that He will never leave us nor forsake us, He means it. Elisha had a legitimate reason to fear for his life. These young men were dangerous, and Elisha was physically incapable of stopping them. But he had God on his side. He fully trusted that God could and would deliver him from the situation.
So, why I am telling you this story? Because it is moments like this that help define our faith. They help identify what or who we look to and hold on to when we are under assault. For instance, I believe there is a parallel between Elisha’s story and Peter walking on the water. I know it may sound strange, but hear me out. Both Elisha and Peter were on a journey. Both encountered trouble. Both called on the Lord in their time of need. Then, both took action, and were saved from their circumstances.
Certainly it is easy to see the amount of faith that Peter had to step out of the boat. But think about being in Elisha’s situation, and knowing without a doubt that when you asked God to save you from these hoodlums, He would do so without hesitation. In both of these situations it took a tremendous amount of faith! How strong is your faith?
So was it wrong for me to wish God would deal with someone harshly? Yes, because it didn’t bring glory to God, it was not for a reason that would deliver me from a desperate situation, and it really wasn’t a test of faith. Instead of wishing that God would deal with someone who had done me wrong, I should have asked for something different; something that would bring glory to God and not just a want of my own.
My advice for you, the next time you are challenged? Stretch your faith! If someone is assaulting your character, let God deal with them in His manner. God tells us He will have “our backs” in Isaiah 52:12, (He actually says He will be our rear guard.), so trust Him. Let others be a witness to your character, as it will reflect Christ.
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. “ Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)
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