"Surely this calamity is from the Lord; why should I wait for the Lord any longer?" (2 Kings 6:33). These are the words of King Jehoram, who, under the pressure of siege by the King of Syria, and in witness to the resulting ravages of famine among his people, lost all hope of deliverance. His statement is comprised of a premise and a conclusion. Let us meditate on them both.

First, the premise: "Surely this calamity is from the Lord." In this statement, Jehoram was correct. Even calamity is from the Lord. The theology of our day is to divorce God from difficulties, trials, and calamities. But the wise will see the hand of God in every circumstance of life, whether it be prosperity or calamity, whether it be good or evil. God says, "I am the Lord, and there is no other; I form the light and create darkness; I make peace and create calamity; I, the Lord, do all these things" (Isaiah 45:6,7). It is easy to credit God with the sunny day, the smiling providence, and the fulfillment of desire. It is easy to see His hand in the beauty of nature and the abundance of prosperity. But what of the storm and windy tempest? What of the dark road, the painful circumstance, and the unexpected trial? What of the defeats, the difficulties, and the disappointments? Should we somehow consider that there is another source ruling over such things? Never. His existence as God means that He is Lord over all. Nothing escapes His notice or decree. Other beings and forces may be instrumental in our circumstances, but God reigns supreme. We must look beyond people, beyond forces of nature, beyond spiritual hosts of wickedness, and beyond ourselves to see that He is the architect of life. He is the One with whom we are dealing. He is God.

But a man may recognize the hand of God yet not acquiesce beneath it. He may utter truth with his lips while his heart remains far from it. He may be convinced of God's sovereignty yet rebel against it. In proof of which--

Note second the conclusion. "Why should I wait for the Lord any longer?" In this conclusion, Jehoram was in error. Though phrased as a question, it was an assertion. It was to say, "Because God has brought about this present calamity, it surely cannot be expected that He will deliver us from it." His inclination, therefore, was to take matters into his own hands, and to seek deliverance apart from obedience to God. It is not easy to stay put in the midst of overwhelming providence, or to find hope when everything seems to end in disaster. In such times, the inclination of the heart is to find another way out, to somehow manipulate the situation. The temptation is to say, like Jehoram, "why should I wait for the Lord any longer?" Consider, however, the errors in such reasoning:

It disregards the purpose of God. He has a reason for everything that comes to pass. From the creation of the world to its ending; from the conception of a child to the pangs of death; from times of peace to times of war; from abounding abundance to the tragedy of loss; from the heights of prosperity to humble circumstances; from joy to sorrow; from salvation to judgment; all things are by Him and for Him. He is the God who works all things according to the counsel of His will (Eph 1:11). It is right to seek remedy from evil, but never by sinning against Him. To resist Him is to resist His purpose for the events of life. And "who can resist His will?" (Rom 9:19).

It contradicts the mercy of God. Do we believe that a parent who is faithfully disciplining a child will never cease? Do not even children know that there is surely an end and that their hope will not be cut off? And if parents, being evil, know how to give good gifts to their children, how much more a loving heavenly Father? Jehoram, in this instance, did not view God as a Father but as an adversary. He overlooked that God, even in the midst of discipline, is a God of mercy. He forgot that in time past, when Israel had repented of evil, God could no longer bear their misery, and He delivered them (Judges 10:16ff). God melts with compassion over His people, especially when they come before Him with humility and godly sorrow. Has He not promised His mercy and thereby bound Himself to it? Can mothers forget their children? "Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you" (Is 49:15), says God.

It neglects the fear of God. Wrong thinking about God is sin, and wrong thoughts lead to wrong actions. We will be faced with situations in life where we can do it God's way or give up on Him and do it the world's way. In this instance, Jehoram's anger and frustration were so great that he gave up on God and even sent men to kill the prophet Elisha. It is difficult to obey God in the midst of deep trial and temptation, but there is one sure remedy to the straying heart: the fear of God. When Joseph was tempted by Potiphar's wife, He said, "How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" (Gen 39:9). And Christian's know that in those peculiar times of struggle and temptation, the fear of God has proven to be a stronghold, and has kept them from much evil. But to think evil of God will destroy a man, and, therefore--

It robs of the blessing of God. Shortly after these words of the King, Elisha prophesied of a great upcoming deliverance: "Then Elisha said, 'Hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord: "Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria."' So an officer on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God and said, 'Look, if the Lord would make windows in heaven, could this thing be?' And he said, 'In fact, you shall see it with your eyes, but you shall not eat of it'" (2 Kings 7:1,2). What God said came to pass. The next day, that officer saw God's deliverance but died at the gate before reaping any of it. And Jehoram himself now has it written of him in scripture, "he did evil in the sight of the LORD" (2 Kings 3:2). We also see in scripture that King Saul lost his throne because he would not wait just a little longer for Samuel to come as promised (1 Sam 13:8-14). Imagine missing the blessing of God by an hour or a minute! And who is to say what blessings we miss because we fail to wait upon God?

But we have all failed God in some ways, and it is here that we rely upon His mercy. He is swift to forgive, and He is able to overrule even the consequences of our failings. He will make us learn that it is a bitter thing to rebel against His ways; but He will also avail us of His forgiveness in our failings. Is He not the same God who granted even the wicked Manasseh to find repentance? --And also the Apostle Paul, who did many things hostile to the name of Christ? And for His people, are not His mercies new every morning, and His faithfulness great? He is the same God who gave Jonah a second chance to go to Ninevah. He is the same Christ who healed the ear that Peter cut off. And He is the same God who says, "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land" (2 Chron 7:14).

Let me ask you, dear reader, why should you wait for the Lord? Have you considered that there is nowhere else to go? Your circumstances are from Him, so who but He can deliver you? If your every breath lies is in His hands, where else will you go? What disobedience against His will can ever put you in a better position? What defiance will make Him more prone to your deliverance? Is it not in your humble submission that He is most moved to pour His sympathy upon you? Is it not in humbling yourself under His mighty hand that He will exalt you in due time? (1Pet 5:7) Therefore, "Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord" (Psalm 27:14). And if you have not come to God, remember that although God's people are instructed to wait upon Him, in one matter you must not wait. To you God says, "Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Cor 6:2). "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31).