Hitting Rock Bottom
And so he decided to risk everything in an attempt to start again.
Reference: v.7.8a The men who had leprosy reached the edge of the camp, entered one of the tents and ate and drank. (TNIV Bible)
Explore: I recently heard of a guy who suddenly lost everything that was dear to him. He lost his job, his marriage split and his health deteriorated as he plummeted into a depression. He said it was like one moment he had everything and the next moment he hit rock bottom. However, once he found himself at the lowest moment of his life he realized that life could not get much worse. And so he decided to risk everything in an attempt to start again. He sold what little he did have, he started up a new business and he started learning about what it was to have a positive relationship. If you had have looked at his life you would have thought he was crazy to sell all he had. He had so little, why would he give that away too? And yet, week-by-week, month-by-month, the business gradually started to grow, his finances slowly increased and he found himself back on speaking terms with his estranged wife. When he was at rock bottom it seemed like there was nothing to live for, however he made the great discover that when you are at rock bottom you have nothing more to lose so you may as well take a big step out.
Application: That’s exactly what the lepers did in 2 Kings chapter 6 & 7. They were already considered the outcasts of society, they had to beg for their food and the lived in a city that was under siege. They were at rock bottom. They decided there was little more they could lose so they risked their lives to go into the enemy camp to surrender. They must have truly been desperate men. However it was these men – these outcasts – who, in their desperation, brought revival back to the city. It’s amazing how often a ‘nobody’ is used by God to display His power. God was about to use some diseased beggars from the gates of a city under siege to discover that they were no longer being contained by the enemy; God used a simple shepherd boy to lead His mighty army; and God used a poor teenage girl to bring the Saviour into this world. No matter how insignificant you feel that you are, God is not limited by you insecurities or world insignificance. God can use you in a mighty way.
Prayer: Lord, may I be open to being used by You. Amen.
Are you open to God using you, even when you feel at your lowest?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.
2 comments:
Great insight Linda. So true that the power of the Creator of all things reaches down to the downcast and lifts them up from the depths of despair. All praise and honor and glory be unto our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
I found this devotion through Youversion.com a Bible app.
In Shrist Alone
Gordon
Hey Gordon,
Thanks so much for your email. It’s always great to hear from readers and your words were so meaningful.
How great is Youversion?! It’s so great, I have it on my phone. We update my blogs to the site daily. Lifechurch.tv is such an amazingly generous church. Even though I live on the other side of the world to lifechurch and I’ve never attended a service, it has taught me so much about faithfulness and generosity.
Keep up the praise and honor and glory.
Linda.