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II KINGS 7:1-3

Intro: The siege of Samaria by Ben-Hadad. A donkey's head selling for 60
       pieces of  silver. King blamed God and sought to kill His servant.

I. GOD MADE AN UNBELIEVABLE PROMISE. "THUS SAITH THE LORD."
        A. Famine and inflation to end overnight. 1.8 gallons of fine
           flour selling for  65 cents 16 gallons of barley for 65 cents.
        B. Promise met with unbelief.
                1. "If God would open windows in heaven might this thing
                    be?"
        C. Unbelief results from two factors. 
                1. Concept of God.
                2. Human logic.
                        a. I can't figure out how God can do it so I
                           conclude He can't.
        D. The results of unbelief.
                1. They locked themselves within the city and set the
                   watchmen on  the wall.
                        a. They were free but they did not know it.
                        b. All night the guards watched for an enemy that
                           did not  exist.
                        c. They draw their sashes tighter around their
                           starving  stomachs and  went to sleep, when
                           within a sling's throw  there was more food
                           than they could eat
                        d. Tormented with hunger pangs when they might be
                           feasting.
                        e. See what unbelief can do!
                2. Sad parallel.
                        a. God has routed our enemy and set us free.
                        b. God has made ample provision for our spiritual
                           development and enjoyment.

II. THE DISCOVERERS OF GOD'S WORK --- 4 LEPERS.
        A. Lived outside walls in area where city refuse was dumped.
                1. Within city, refuse being sold at premium prices.
        B. The reasoning behind discovery.
                1. "Why sit here until we die?"
                        a. We are dying.
                        b. If we don't do something, we shall die.
                2. No use going into Samaria.
                3. Cast ourselves upon mercy of Syrians.
        Logic:
                        a. If they kill us, we're going to die
                           anyhow - nothing to lose.
                        b. A chance they might be merciful.
                        c. Let's go.
                        a. If you go on in sin, you are going to die.
                        b. What can you lose casting yourself upon
                           God's mercy?
                        c. He has promised grace, mercy, pardon,
                           forgiveness.
                        a. Maybe there is another kind of need in your
                           life.
                        b. Danger of Inactivity.
                        c. Take the promise of God's word and launch
                           out in faith.
                                1. Do your best and commit the rest. 
                                2. If it is your best, it will be
                                   God's blest.
        4. These 4 lepers had given up - what a blessed stage.
                        a. As long as I have another avenue I'm prone
                           to try -
                        b. A man who struggles as he sinks is hard to
                           rescue.
                        c. Shut up to Christ - how blessed.

III. THE REACTION OF UNBELIEF.
        A. Lepers found camp empty - began to fill their stomachs
           with food and  hide treasure.
        B. Went back to city and called to porter on the wall.
        C. Porter ran         with good news "It's a trap!" There must
           be a catch!