Book: 2 Kings
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II KINGS 7:1-2

"UNBELIEF, ITS CAUSE & EFFECT"

Intro: Samaria has been under siege by the Syrians. The resulting famine
       has created a desperate scene. Mothers were eating their own
       babies. The King  came to Elisha's house who prophesied in the
       name of Jehovah an abundance  of food the next day.

I. THE KINGS SERVANT MOCKED IN UNBELIEF, "IF GOD SHOULD OPEN  WINDOWS
   IN HEAVEN..."
        A. How many times have we seen men mock the promises of God.
                1. Unwilling to believe the word or work of God.
                2. Men scoff at the idea of the judgment of God.
                a. They make jokes about heaven and hell.
                3. They sneer at the thought of the 2nd coming of
                   Christ in glory.
                4. They would lock up as insane those who do believe
                   these things.
        B. Men of faith and vision can always expect mockery.
                1. The Wright brothers.
                2. Columbus.
                3. Jesus one of the most mocked and ridiculed men who
                   has ever  lived.

II. THE CAUSE OF UNBELIEF "SHOULD GOD OPEN WINDOWS IN HEAVEN.
        A. He was looking at it from-a purely natural mind.
                1. He really did not take God into account.
                2. The man of faith is not blind.
                        a. Contrary, he sees far more than others.
                                1. He sees the power of God, and the
                                   ability of God, as  greater than
                                   any obstacle.
        B. How many times do we find ourselves trying to figure out
           how God is  going to accomplish His work.
                1. God has ways you haven't even thought of.
                2. He has resources you know nothing about.

Ill. THE EFFECT OF UNBELIEF "YOU WILL SEE IT BUT NOT EAT IT."
        A. God will keep His word whether you believe it or not.
                1. Jesus is coming again.
                2. God's kingdom shall be established.
                3. "Every knee shall bow."
                4. How tragic to see it and not be able to partake of it.
        B. That night the Syrians fled but the Israelites knew it not.
                1. The watchman on the wall kept straining his eyes,
                   looking out in  the darkness for an enemy who was
                   not there.
                2. The children had been put to bed crying for hunger,
                   when within a  short distance there was more food than
                   they could consume in a  month.
                3. Fear and gloom like a thick fog hovered over the city,
                   when there should have been dancing and joy.
        C. When the king was told of the empty Syrian camp, he said,
           "it's a trap!"
        1. Unbelief will not let you rejoice even in good news.
        2. Unbelief will keep you from the benefits of the work of God.