June 19
2 Kings 13:1-11, 12:17-21; 2 Chronicles 24:23-27; 2 Kings 13:14-25
I have a long term patient who recently came in pregnant. She is Orthodox Jewish, and we have had a number of faith based conversations in the past. Unfortunately, on her early ultrasound we detected a thickened measurement of the neck which is associated with both Down's syndrome and Turner's syndrome (a female who is missing one of her X chromosomes). Sometimes this amounts to nothing as the neck normalizes and the baby is perfectly normal. As I thought she would say, she instantly stated that this baby was hers no matter what. I gave her some safe, noninvasive ways to proceed in which to gather more conclusive information. A month later she came in and declined her ultrasound that she was scheduled for. She and her husband prayed about this and then approached their Rabbi. She has had some difficult pregnancies in the past. She admits to being a "control freak". She decided it was time that she walked in faith with the God that she loves. It was time that she didn't just state that she trusts Him, but moved forward in that trust. She decided to reject any blood or ultrasound testing to uncover the genetics of her baby. She believes that if God wants to miraculously heal her baby, she didn't need to seek results step by step. If God chose to allow this child to have one of the options that I mentioned above, she is willing to accept this as what it is that God has planned. We talked for awhile, and as she knew that I would fully support her decision. We did talk about other things that can be done to make sure that the baby thrives inside of her. I mention all of this because this is a beautiful step of faith that is not often seen. Many of us state that we live by faith, yet try to maintain control over our lives. This does not mean that going to doctors, taking tests, or taking medications is a lack of faith, for God uses us in the medical profession as vessels to be used by Him and for others. This situation is different in that there is nothing that can be done medically to alter the genetics of her child, so she is simply putting it in God's hands.
We read in 2 Kings 13:14, "When Elisha was in his last illness, King Jehoash of Israel visited him and wept over him. “My father! My father! I see the chariots and charioteers of Israel!” he cried." Understand that this King Jehoash was evil, as we read in 13:10-11, " Jehoash son of Jehoahaz began to rule over Israel in the thirty-seventh year of King Joash’s reign in Judah. He reigned in Samaria sixteen years. But he did what was evil in the Lord’s sight. He refused to turn from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had led Israel to commit." But despite his being evil, he still recognized that Elisha was God's prophet, and that God through him, had altered Israel's history. Chariots in that day was the most powerful weapon, and the king recognized the strength and power that God wielded through his prophet, Elisha. So, the king did know that the only real hope for himself and his nation resided in God, yet, despite this he persisted in his evil ways. He acknowledged God, and even respected Him, but refused to serve Him and lived as though He didn't exist.
There are many who give verbal acknowledgement that God exists. There are many who will state that they love Him, yet if they were honest, not only do they not serve Him, but they don't really trust Him with the day to day decisions surrounding their lives. This is true not just for those outside the church, but also for those inside the church. Having respect for God is not enough, as we read in James 2:19, "You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror." Acknowledgement and respect are good starting points, but one must realize their fallen nature and their dire need for salvation. Peace in this world only comes through a relationship with the Peacemaker, Jesus Christ, and a surrendering to His Lordship. Partial commitment is the true way for many, but total victory comes through total commitment to God. We read in Romans 8:31, " What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?" Do we believe this? Do we act accordingly? Perhaps we should spend less time sizing up our enemies, our obstacles, etc. and spend more time realizing the size and power of our God. As this patient above has realized, when we surrender ourselves and our situations to God, trusting that He knows better than we do, the result is peace and acceptance as we submit to His authority and sovereign hand.
Messages from Pastor Lloyd Pulley: