What steps can we take to strengthen our faith in God's plans? The Hesitant King: 2 Kings 7:12 “So the king got up in the night and said to his servants, ‘Let me tell you what the Arameans have done to us. They know we are starving; so they have left the camp to hide in the field, saying, “When they come out of the city, we will capture them alive and enter the city.” ’ ” The king heard Elisha’s prophecy of sudden deliverance, yet fear and suspicion still clouded his judgment. His reaction gives us a mirror for our own hearts and a roadmap for strengthening faith. Step 1 — Identify Suspicion in Your Heart • Notice how quickly the king assumed a trap. • Faith falters when we rehearse worst-case scenarios. • Pray Psalm 139:23-24 over yourself and ask God to expose hidden unbelief. Step 2 — Recall God’s Proven Faithfulness • Israel had a rich history of supernatural rescues (Exodus 14:13-14). • Today, list personal “Red Sea moments.” • Deuteronomy 7:18-19 reminds: “Do not be afraid…remember what the LORD your God did.” Step 3 — Anchor Your Mind in Scripture • Romans 10:17: “So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” • Daily intake ideas: – Read one gospel chapter each morning. – Memorize Proverbs 3:5-6; Jeremiah 29:11. – Listen to an audio Bible during commutes. • God’s plans grow clearer as His voice grows louder than circumstances. Step 4 — Act on God’s Word Quickly • Obedience fuels faith. James 1:22 urges us to “be doers of the word.” • The lepers in this chapter moved at once and discovered the abandoned camp. • Ask, “What has God already told me to do?” then move without delay. Step 5 — Cultivate a Community of Faith • Hebrews 10:24-25: “Let us consider how to spur one another on toward love and good deeds…encouraging one another.” • Practical helps: – Join or start a small group that discusses Sunday’s message. – Share testimonies of answered prayer each week. – Pair up for Scripture memory accountability. Step 6 — Speak Faith-Filled Words • The king verbalized fear; his servants echoed it. • Proverbs 18:21: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” • Replace “What if it fails?” with “God is for me” (Romans 8:31). • Write out promises and read them aloud morning and night. Step 7 — Celebrate and Share the Testimony • When Israel finally investigated, they found overflowing provision—exactly as God said. • 1 Chronicles 16:8: “Give thanks to the LORD; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the nations.” • Keep a gratitude journal; tell your story to someone who needs hope. Following these steps moves us from the king’s midnight doubt to the dawn of confident trust, positioning us to experience—and enjoy—God’s generous plans. |
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