There could never be enough
money to heal a wounded heart. There
could never be enough friends to replace the loss of a child. There could never be enough “stuff” to
replace a broken spirit. For one woman
in the bible, her name unknown except for the Shunammite Woman, her hospitable
heart, love for God’s travelers and her open arms for those in ministry brought
a well known prophet to her home. Even though her love for those in need, her
generosity spoke volumes and her wealth enabled her to do many good deeds, only
the faith and belief in God could save her dying son.
Galatians 6:6 scribes, “Anyone who
receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his
instructor.” This Shunammite woman shared all her good things with the prophet
Elisha. “One day Elisha went to
Shunem. And a well-to-do woman was
there, who urged him to stay for a meal.
So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat. She said to her husband, ‘I know that this
man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. Let’s make a small room on the roof and put
in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to
us.’” (2 Kings 4:8-11).
Lydia was as gracious to the Apostle Paul after
receiving her baptism in Philippi, “When she (Lydia) and all the members of her
household were baptized, she invited us to her home. ‘If you consider me a believer in the Lord,
come and stay at my house.’ And she persuaded us.” (Acts 16:15) After Paul and
Silas were released from prison, the Lord led these men to Lydia’s house where they met with
the brothers and encouraged them. (Acts
16:40) The Lord’s servants work hard and need refreshment.
Elisha was very gracious and
thankful for the hospitality of the Shunammite woman. I love how 2 Kings 4:11 reads, “One day when
Elisha came, he went up to his room and lay down there.” The hospitality this
woman offered God’s prophet was full of love, comfort, warmth and ease. Elisha knew this was his room, his place to
rest when he came to Shunem and felt completely at ease. So at ease and thankful, he sends his servant
to call the woman and sees something she lacks, a son. This sweet, generous
woman was barren.
The next year, joy like no other is
experienced by this Shunammite woman, she gives birth to a son, just as Elisha
had told her (2 Kings 4:17). Celebration and praise, I am sure, enveloped
this woman and all who knew her. God had
granted her a son in this couples old age because of the kindness given to his
prophet. “No eye has seen, no ear has
heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” (1 Corinthians 1:9, Isaiah 64:4).
As the child grew, a tragedy
occurs, sickness. The child complains about his head and is taken to his mother
where he dies in her arms. Calmly,
purposefully and quietly she lays her precious son on the man of God’s bed,
shuts the door and goes to find Elisha (2
Kings 4:21). “She called her husband
and said, ‘Please send me one of the servants and a donkey so I can go the man
of God quickly and return.’ Her husband replies, ‘Why go to him today? It’s not
the New Moon or the Sabbath?’ This Shunammite woman did not tell her husband,
was not stricken with grief or racked with sorrow. She knew who could bring this little boy back and
she was on a mission to find him.
“She saddled the donkey and said to
her servant, ‘Lead on; don’t slow down for me unless I tell you.’ So she set
out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When he saw her in the distance, the man of
God said to his servant, ‘Look! There’s the Shunammite! Run to meet her and ask
her, ‘Are you all right? Is your husband all right? Is your child
alright?’”
Her reply will never cease to amaze
me. “Everything is all right.” she
said. This is the faith we need in the
church! This is the faith I seek after
no matter the circumstances I am experiencing.
Paul shook the church when he announced to the Philippians, “I know what
it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in
ANY and EVERY situation, where well fed or hungry, whether in plenty or in
want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:12-13). Everything is all
right, God is in complete control!
After praying to the Lord, Elisha
calls for the Shunammite woman and gives the mother her son. Falling at his feet, humbling herself before
this man of God, we should do the same before our King of Kings. “Humble yourself
before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” (James 4:10, 1 Peter 5:6).
All of those who fell on their knees before Christ were healed. The woman who bled for twelve years clawed
her way through the crowd to touch his cloak (Luke 8:43-44). Blind
Bartimaeus screamed to be heard over the crowd, “Son of David, have mercy on
me!” (John 18:35-42, Mark 10:46:52).
The sinful woman who washed Christ’s feet with her tears was forgiven (Luke 7:36-50). I know not all those who are sick will be
healed; I know that not all of those seek the Lord for answers will receive
what they so desire, but I do know where you can receive comfort, restoration of
a broken heart and understanding from loosing a loved one.
Jesus understands your pain. At the death of Lazarus, after seeing and
feeling the pain of loss of those he loved, the bible says, “Jesus wept.” God understands your pain through the death
of his one and only son, “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was
crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah
53:5).
I love the Christian faith because we have a
God who understands. I love the
Christian faith because our Savior understands all we go through. I love this story from 2 Kings because the
Shunammite woman had faith to move mountains.
She did not panic, she did not counsel ever person on her Facebook
account. She did not call all of her
relatives to complain or grieve. This
Shunammite woman ran to the one she knew could help her son. As Hannah ran to the Temple and prayed to the Living God, we
should run to our High Priest seeking Truth, comfort and faith in the One who
Saves.
Let us pray and
CONFESS the Word to the Living God;
Father,
I desire
faith to move mountains (Matthew 17:20). I desire to know you and the power of your
resurrection. I am thankful I have a
High Priest who knows all of my afflictions, temptations and understands (Hebrews 4:15). I am thankful I can come boldly to the throne
of grace and lay my petitions at your cross (Hebrews 4:16). Help me to be
a woman who practices hospitality (Romans
12:13). Help me to open my arms to
the church, to those who need rest and selflessly give to those who instruct me
in the Word (Galatians 6:6).
For those I
know who are sick, I pray for the healing of _____________________. I believe you will give him/her the comfort
of knowing you are in complete control.
I pray you will give us wisdom on this illness, what doctors to see and
medications to take. If you choose to
not heal this person by your hand, then I pray as the Apostle Paul to be
content in all situations and to know we can do all things through Christ who
strengths us (Philippians 4:12-13).
Father if
now is the time for ___________________ to pass on into your presence, I pray
for the Comforter, the peace that surpasses understanding and to heal my broken
heart. Thank you I can come to you for
prayer. Thank you I believe in something
greater than myself. I praise you for your goodness and I praise you Lord for
having a plan. In the name of Jesus of Nazareth I pray, Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment