For over a year now I have been waiting on what God has next for my life. At first it was excruciatingly stressful. Now there is more peace, but still no formal answer (and reserves are running precariously low).
And yet, are they?
I just reread an amazing Old Testament story about the siege of Samaria (2 Kings 6-7) and was powerfully reminded of just how quickly God can replenish people's reserves.
The city of Samaria is surrounded by a huge enemy army. Food supplies are running low. Some have resorted to cannibalism. The king is livid and blames a prophet named Elisha. Summoning the prophet to kill him, the king instead hears hopeful words, “Hear the word of the LORD. This is what the LORD says: About this time tomorrow, a seah of the finest flour will sell for a shekel and two seahs of barley for a shekel at the gate of Samaria.” (Elisha in 2 Kings 7:1)
Those listening thought he was nuts. Even if God intervened there was no way things could turn around that quickly. Impossible.
Meanwhile there were four lepers who'd run out of hope and who had decided to leave the protection of the city and walk into the enemy camp and give themselves up. "Let’s go over to the camp of the Arameans and surrender. If they spare us, we live; if they kill us, then we die.” Only when they arrive, they find the camp empty, "For the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots and horses and a great army," and then caused that spooked army to run for the hills. The lepers couldn't believe their luck and feasted on all of the abandoned supplies; food, money, gear. When they shared the news with the rest of the city there was a stampede, and within 24 hours a seah of the finest flour sold for a shekel and two seahs of barley for a shekel.
By this time tomorrow God could completely change my, or anyone's, situation.