Page 2

Page 3

Page 4

What's Going On, God?

David Stellwagon

Have you ever had things happen in your life which made you wonder if God was actually taking care of you or not? Or if you did something that made God punish you? Things sometimes happen in our lives that really look bad. Sometimes it looks like God isn't keeping His promises. There are two stories in the Old Testament which will help us understand the purposes of these times.

The first is during the time of Elijah the Prophet. In 1 Kings 17:8-24, Elijah is sent to the town of Zarephath to a widow to stay with her during a severe famine. Elijah came to the house of the widow woman and her son and asked her to make him bread. She was making her last bread for her and her son and was going to eat it and wait to die. Elijah told her to make one for him first, then make one for her and her son. She obeyed and all the days of the famine the flour and the oil never ran out.

One day her son became sick and died. Why was she being punished for her kindness to Elijah and her obedience to God? What was going on? Elijah prayed to God and the child is brought back to life. Verse 24 allows us to see why this happened. "Then the woman said to Elijah, 'Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is truth.'" 1 Kings 17:24. Her respect for Elijah was deepened. He went from being just a prophet to being a representative of God and His word and power. So her faith in God was made stronger through this.

The second story was during the time of Elisha. In 2 Kings 4:8-37, we read of the story of Elisha and the wealthy woman of Shunem. He would pass through Shunem often and she convinced him to eat with her and her husband one day. From that day on he would eat with them when he was in town. After a while, the woman decided that she would build a room for him to stay in anytime he was in town. So Elisha stayed in his new room whenever he was in town. For her kindness, she was promised a son. In those days, it was a shame if a woman could not supply an heir for her husband and she was without child. She must have had her hopes dashed many times and told Elisha, "No, my lord, O man of God, do not lie to your maidservant." 2 Kings 4:16.

She had a son as Elisha promised. But one day when he was older he died. She woman of Shumen went to Elisha and accused him of deceiving her. He went back to her house and the boy was brought back to life. In verse 37 we see her falling at the feet of Elisha and bowing deeply. It almost looks like prophet worship, but the word of the representative of God needed to be true. Her respect for Elisha increased and so was her faith in God as being faithful to his promises.

There are many examples like this in the Bible and I believe that we could share many testimonies of terrible things happening that we saw God work out which were used to strengthen our faith in God. So our first thought when something bad happens may be, "God, what's going on?" But let's get past this and see that God is faithful and will work even this thing out for the good.

David Stellwagon and his wife Kathy were missionaries to Japan for 11 years. David is the son of life-long missionaries to Japan and David and Kathy's three sons were also born in Japan. David and Kathy returned to the states in 2000. David currently teaches Sunday School and the New Testament Bible Survey in our School for Christian Workers. 

The Easiest, Yet Hardest Thing

by Alan Stroud

You remember the story of Naaman the Syrian. It's told in 2 Kings 5:1-19. He was a great commander of his king's armies. A valiant, victorious warrior. A great & honorable man in the eyes of the king. Yet, something was missing. He was a leper. This was his one great need; the one thing that truly defined him. He was helpless to cure himself, so he was doomed to live under this "stigma" permanently. Or, was he?

During one of the many border raids with Israel, they had taken a young girl captive who became the servant of Naamans' wife. One day she shared the "good news" with her mistress, "If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy." (2Kings 5:3b NKJV)

Hope was born, and Naaman soon reported to his king the message he'd heard, who then sent Naaman to the king of Israel with a letter and an impressive gift package. Israel's king was appalled! He knew nobody but God could do this thing.

Enter Elisha the prophet. After hearing of the kings' dilemma, he calls for the king to send Naaman. "Please let him come to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel." (2Kings 5:8b)

Naaman shows up with horses & chariot; in full military regalia; with his entourage of servants. Elisha doesn't even come out to Naaman; he merely sends his messenger to him, saying, "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean." (2Kings 5:10b) Naaman is furious!

What did he expect? Pomp & circumstance? Surely the prophet would come out & honor him. Surely he would be "recognized". Maybe a special ceremony & special payment in appreciation. No ceremony. No payment accepted. No exploit to perform to add to his "reputation." He went away in a rage!

What was so hard about going 25 miles to the Jordan to dip 7 times? Was this not doable? Not the Jordan, that scrawny, muddy creek they call a river! Anything but that! Naaman would have to strip down to who he really was. His nakedness would be uncovered. He would have to humble himself under the mighty hand of God! So easy, yet so hard. Yet, this is the way of the Lord!

Now is the defining moment. Will he walk away and remain the same, or will his hope become faith as he steps in obedience to the word of God? Naaman endures the discomfort & humiliation and dips 7 times. He is healed completely. Naaman declares, " Indeed, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel." (2Kings5:15)

The prophet, in contrast to the pagan prophets, will take no gift or payment from Naaman. His healing is the gift of God! When we by faith obey the word of God, we draw near to Him. He always fulfills His promise, and He draws near to us! This is the easiest, yet hardest thing!

Alan Stroud was a member of Christian Challenge for 11 years before accepting the pastorate of Beech Grove Congregational Methodist Church in Anacoco, LA, where he continues to pastor. He also serves as the Annual Conference Chairman for the Congregational Methodist Church in Louisiana. Alan has taught "The Disciple's Heart" in the School for Christian Workers on several occasions and continues to lead classes in west Louisiana from time to time. We are pleased to continue our close relationship with him and have him as a contributor to the Eastern Gate Newsletter.