THE CITY UNDER SIEGE
"1 Now Ben-Hadad the king of Syria gathered all his forces together; thirty-two kings were with him, with horses and chariots. And he went up and besieged Samaria, and made war against it. 2 Then he sent messenger into the city to Ahab king of Israel, and said to him. “Thus says the Ben-Hadad; 3 ‘Your silver and your gold are mine, your loveliest wives and children are mine. 4 And the king of Israel answered and said, ‘My lord, O king just as you say, I and all that I have are yours.” 1 Kings 20:1-4.
Ben-Hadad, king of Syria, mobilized his entire army and set up a barricade and besieged Samaria in the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the time of prophet Elisha. And because of the siege; there was a great famine in the land. The siege paralyzed social, religious and economic activities in the city. The siege went on for a long time. Outside the city was light, but inside was darkness. Outside the city of Samaria was joy, but inside sorrow. Outside the city was peace, but inside was turbulence. Outside the city of Samaria was prosperity, but inside was poverty and famine. Anything good coming into the city were hijacked or diverted.
WHAT IS A SIEGE?
In the ancient world, a city wasn’t a city without gates and walls. The walls were built of mud bricks, stone, wood, or a combination of these materials, depending on local availability. The walls served as the primary means of defense and protection from an invasion. So in times of war, all an enemy had to do was to surround the city wall and lay siege to it. The purpose of the siege is to starve the inhabitants of food and water—forcing them to surrender. Often a siege took months or even years. But it was very effective. All it took was time.
The English word siege is derived from the Latin word meaning 'to sit'. To besiege a city, an armed force surrounds and isolates it, while usually continuing its attacks upon it. In general, siege warfare involves bombardment and cut off of supply, which causes starvation and deprivation. It was usually only after the city surrendered, or was greatly weakened, that infantry entered. So a siege is a military blockade! It is designed to isolate a city from external help and supplies. It involve blocking the provision of services and the reinforcement or escape of the city's troops. A siege can often be decided by starvation, thirst, or disease.
A siege is an embargo placed on movement of goods, services and persons, in and out of the city. It is a ban. A siege is an order or a restriction that do not allow the performance of a normal day to day activities. It can be a restraint; hindrance; prohibition; a stoppage or an impediment imposed on a country, community, business, organisation or individual. A siege is an obstacle. It is a checkpoints! A siege is a stopper. It is a closed door! A siege is a tactic to put full-stop to social, religious and economic activities in a city. It is to arrest or detain. A siege is an injunction. It is a decree or pronouncement issued against advancement. A siege is a barrier placed on progress. It is a lock-down. Due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak, most cities and nations of the world have declared a lock-down. Once there is a siege there will be little or no movement. A siege is a prolonged delay.
CONSEQUENCES OF A SIEGE?
1. It brings pain and discomfort.
2. Desolation and emptiness.
3. Poverty.
4. Lack of essential commodities.
5. Frustration.
6. Mind oppression.
7. Confusion.
8. Lack of direction.
9. Lack of peace.
10. Discouragement.
11. Sleeplessness.
12. Siege brings stagnation and limitation.
13. Fear and intimidation.
14. It brings starvation.
15. Suffering.
WHAT MUST BE DONE?
1. Repentance.
“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 Chronicles 7:14. To repent means to change, or “have a change of mind.” It implies a change in direction. Repentance is a necessary step to salvation and restoration. It is a change of mind or ways of thinking. Repentance is a deep sorrow for wrongdoing. It is the confession of sin. Repentance involves a clean break. It is a turning to God. Repentance brings back divine mercy, favour, protection, good health and the presence of God. The result of repentance is the healing of the land. There will be peace, prosperity and protection from disasters.
Bring quality repentance unto the Lord. Confess your sins and the sins of others. Receive God's mercy.
2. Call upon the Lord to deliver.
“I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one." Ezekiel 22:30. God is still looking for men and women, old and young, who will stand in the gap for families, communities, churches, organizations, cities or nations. Your prayer can lift your city out of destruction. It can put an end to siege.
Prayer is a request for divine intervention. Invite God into your city. Pray for holiness and humility. Pray for revival. Pray for healing and restoration of marriages and families. Pray against the strongholds of darkness over your city. Pray for leaders and authorities. Ask God to remove every attack against your city. Pray for the gates of your city (spiritual and physical). Pray for peace and prosperity. Pray for your city to be a testimony.
3. Read and meditate on God's Word.
Your ability to pray based on the Word of God will determine your level of success. Do not be moved by what you see, feel or hear. Go deeper in the Word. Meditate on it. Stand on the Word. Believe it.
4. Fasting.
Fasting is a sign of repentance and sorrow. It is a spiritual vitamin that nourishes the spirit. Fasting helps us to develop spiritual sensitivity. It is an expression of our dependence on God. Fasting helps to remove hindrances. It gives victory over fleshly desires. It opens closed doors. As you fast, confess, read the Bible, pray, praise and build up your faith. “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning.” Joel 2:12.
5. Don't panic.
In the midst of storms, often our tendency is to panic. Anxiety is a form of fear. Panic threatens our faith. It’s an enemy of peace. Panic clouds our judgement. In the Bible panic attacks are referred to as sudden fear.
Panic makes you breathe in short, shallow bursts so breathe deeply. Take a minute and say a prayer, quote a Scripture, listen to inspirational music, or talk to a friend. Read comforting passage like Psalm 23. And if it continue, seek a professional help. "24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. 25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. 26 For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken." Proverbs 3:24-25.
6. Have faith in God when there's no hope.
We live in uncertain times. Do you ever worry about the future? Many are afraid of what might happen in the world, in their country or in their community. But we who trust in the Lord are safe and secure. We're not afraid! Faith is not resistant to trials, difficulties and problem. Your faith in God will be tested. Don't fail God in the days of adversity. Stay focused; firmly cling to God and His promises. He'll bring you peace in the chaos. Read your faith with the Word of God. Praise. You can give thanks to God even in stressful times. Keep praying. Surround yourself with strong believers people who will support you though your times of doubt.
Even when circumstances seem near impossible to change, you can rest in the hope that God is working on our behalf. He has a plan, and it is good. An unexpected turn around may be just around the corner. Don't give up!
7. Learn to obey God. Deuteronomy 28:1-2, 13.
The greatest commandment is to love God by keeping His commandments. The siege of Samaria was caused by disobedience. Throughout Scripture we see the consequences of disobedience time and time again. Are you being obedient to God and His Word? We must obey God fully. He will bless our obedience. Psalm 84:11.
"As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and for evermore." Psalm 125:2.
The city of Jerusalem is, indeed, surrounded by mountains. These mountains provided a perfect picture of how God encircled and protected His people. Because we trust in God, we cannot be moved. In 2 Kings 6:13-17, Prophet Elisha was in danger in a city called Dothan. The King of Aram was desperate to get his hands on Elisha and sent a strong force to surround the city by night. When Elisha’s servant arose the following morning, he was terrified by the sight of the vast army surrounding the city. Elisha however was calm and said, ‘Don’t be afraid, those who are with us are more than those who are with them’ (vs 16). As the Lord opened the eyes of the servant, the Scripture says that “he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (vs 17). God had surrounded His prophet with His mighty protection. That same protection is available for us today! All who trust in God are able to stand like mountains amid all the storms. No matter whats' going on around you or in your city, you're absolutely safe and secure. You are like Mount Zion! You are surrounded by God’s protection and care. So don’t worry. Don’t be afraid. Job 5:22. God is “our refuge and strength . . . our fortress” Psalm 46:1, 7. Take your eyes off the circumstances and bad news. Don’t be troubled by the devil’s devices and tactics. Your salvation comes from the Lord. The night will soon be over! Psalm 30:5.
"Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah." Psalm 32:7.
PRAYER POINTS:
1. Father, thank You for surrounding and protecting me, in Jesus name.
2. O Lord, I thank You for never leaving or forsaking me, in Jesus name.
3. Thank you, Lord, for answering my prayers.
