I was scanning some headlines this morning and came across two news reports that really got me thinking.
The first was about how child abuse has spiked during the recession. From Phoenix, to Seattle, to Boston, even to Beaufort South Carolina reports of child abuse are up 20 to 63% from this time last year. I am originally from South Carolina, so that report hit me hard. Children are entering emergency rooms with broken bones suffered from their parents. In many cases the excuses the parents are giving for this behavior is that they have lost their jobs.
The second report was about my home state of Michigan. The report states how unemployment has risen to 12.9%. Being a pastor in Grand Rapids MI, I have personally gotten to see the effects of job loss has had on many different people. I have gotten to counsel some, pray for them, and struggle with what the answer is for them all.
As I was thinking of these two news reports the story of Elisha facing an economic recession came to mind. The story is found in II Kings 6:24-7:20. Israel was under siege from Syria and it's people were starving to death. The famine grows so great two mothers actually make an agreement to butcher and eat their children. One of the mothers reneges on killing her child after she had eaten the first mother's child. The mother with the dead child asks the king to judge the first mother and make her butcher her child so that they may eat again. The king has no answers for this but to grieve and become angry at God. The king wants to kill God's prophet, Elisha, as the result of his anger. When the king and his officer confront Elisha he tells them to hear the word of the Lord. Elisha tells the king that the very next day the recession would end. The king and his officer state that this was impossible even if God opened the floodgates of the heavens. Well God did open the floodgates and the recession did end the very next day. The Syrian army was defeated outside Israel's gates and no one but God really knows what happened to the Syrian army. Food was in abundance in a 24 hour period. The officer who doubted God never got any of that food because he was trampled by starving people getting to the blessings of God.
Now I do not know if this recession will end in 24 hours or not. That specific word was for Elisha and Israel at that time. I do suggest that we can get our own specific word for our day and time. Our children our being devoured and going into emergencies rooms with broken bones. Our economy is under siege. We need a word from God. We need God to open the floodgates of heaven.
So, God I repent of our sins. Forgive us, we have not followed you. Forgive us, we have hurt our children. Forgive us, we have not received a word from you. Give us grace and mercy. Today we surrender to your leadership. And we wait for the floodgates to open. Specifically I pray for those struggling at Living Hope. Surround them with your love, grace, and power. Lead them. Guide them. Open up the floodgates for them. Our hope is in you Jesus. Amen.
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