"An Act of Grace pt.1"

Has someone ever confronted you in a not so friendly way? Have you ever been in a conflict of some sort with a person, or people? In 2 Kings 6:8-23 we find this very situation playing itself out. The Arameans were at war with Israel. The king of Aram would periodically send a band of troops to certain places in Israel's territory to attempt to besiege them, with hopes of eventually destroying Israel. After the Aramean's plans continued to be foiled due to the prophet Elisha's divine revelations, the Bible says that the king of Aram sent a "strong force" to surround Israel by night. Basically, the Arameans "emptied the clip" on Israel, sending everything they had. The Israelites, God's chosen, end up capturing that "strong force." Now these Arameans are in the hands of the Israelites and are facing certain death, then the unthinkable happens...

2 Kings 6:21-23, "When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, "Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?" "Do not kill them," he answered. "Would you kill men you have captured with you own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master." So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel's territory."

The Arameans found themselves at the mercy of the very people they were trying to kill and yet, totally against all logic and custom, Elisha and the Israelites spare them. Not only do they spare them but they wine and dine them, and then allow them to go back where they came from. Wow, what an amazing act of Grace!!

Here is my suspicion:
Most of us, when under attack from a person or people immediately get on the defense and try to defeat the other party. We would rather save face then risk being on the losing end of the conflict. So we jump to the battle lines and attempt, at all cost, to symbolically subdue our opponent.

Here is my challenge:
Next time you find yourself in an argument, quarrel or any kind of conflict with another human being / beings, remember this: Grace is the only thing that will truly change someone's heart and get them to be at peace with you (and themselves for that matter). It's totally unorthodox, it doesn't make sense and it does not feel good to do; but it pleases God and it is effective. God applied Grace to us when we deserved the ultimate punishment, and God desires for us to apply that same Grace to others, especially when we are justified in retaliating.

I challenge you to go back, in your quiet moments with God, and read 2 Kings 6:8-23. Pray that God would first help you realize the Grace that he has freely given you, in Christ. Then ask God to help you learn how to extend that same Grace to other people, especially when you would be justified in dishing out your "wrath".

Be blessed family.