2 Kings 7:16-20 – Doubt can rob us of our potential and dream

The good news that the four lepers shared was proven true. When the team of decoys sent by the king returned from their reconnaissance, they affirmed what they had said was true. Now in this last paragraph of 2 Kings 7, we are shown two things the words of the Lord that Elisha pronounced came to pass.

Firstly, he predicted that “…a measure of fine flour would be sold for a shekel and two measures of barley for a shekel.” Because the camp of the Arameans was plundered, everything became cheaply available. Both items were sold as Elisha had predicted. Secondly, the prediction Elisha gave concerning the officer who doubted what he had said also came true. Remember in 2 Kings 7:2 when Elisha predicted about the flour and barley being cheaply available, the officer who relayed the message to the king doubted. He said, “Behold if the Lord should make windows in heaven, could this thing be?” Because of his doubt, Elisha pronounced a judgment on him saying, “Behold, you will see it with your own eyes, but you will not eat of it.” Verses 17-20 now show us how the word of the Lord through Elisha came to pass. That officer who doubted was now crushed to death by the hungry mob who thronged the city gate. What happened to him attested to the truthfulness of God’s Word through the prophet. This is a challenge for us to take God at His word and never doubt Him.

The lesson we learn from this passage is from the officer who doubted God’s words through Elisha. However, he was not the only one in the Bible. Scriptures have shown us other characters who doubted God, acted in disobedience, and received their just desert. We look at Lot’s wife who disregarded God’s word and looked back, as they were getting away from Sodom and Gomorrah. She was turned into a pillar of salt instantly for her doubt and disobedience. Adam and Eve listened to the devil doubted God, disobeyed, and caused mankind’s misery. Many dreams are robbed by doubts. When we trust God there is no limit to His blessings. In trusting and obeying Him we find the wisdom to attain our potential. But when we doubt him, our dreams get killed. More dreams are killed by doubts than failure. We must not allow doubt to kill God’s dream for our lives. May our prayer always be - Lord, I believe, help my unbelief!