Every mother desires that their child have a life of happiness and fulfillment, and we do everything in our power to shape circumstances to make sure that they are right. The Shunammite woman was no different. After receiving the child she had only dreamed about – she looked forward to him having a happy and full life. Let’s look at what happened:
“And the child grew. Now it happened one day that he went out to his father, to the reapers. And he said to his father, “My head, my head!”
So he said to a servant, “Carry him to his mother.” When he had taken him and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died. And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God, shut the door upon him, and went out. Then she called to her husband, and said, “Please send me one of the young men and one of the donkeys, that I may run to the man of God and come back.”
So he said, “Why are you going to him today? It is neither the New Moon nor the Sabbath.”
And she said, “It is well.” Then she saddled a donkey, and said to her servant, “Drive, and go forward; do not slacken the pace for me unless I tell you.” And so she departed, and went to the man of God at Mount Carmel.
So it was, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to his servant Gehazi,
“Look, the Shunammite woman!
Please run now to meet her, and say to her, ‘Is it well with you?
Is it well with your husband?
Is it well with the child?’” And she answered, “It is well.”
Her son had died and yet when asked how he was her reply was, “It is well!”
“Now when she came to the man of God at the hill, she caught him by the feet, but Gehazi came near to push her away. But the man of God said, “Let her alone; for her soul is in deep distress, and the LORD has hidden it from me, and has not told me.”
So she said, “Did I ask a son of my lord? Did I not say, ‘Do not deceive me’?”…
And the mother of the child said, “As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you.”
So he arose and followed her.Now Gehazi went on ahead of them, and laid the staff on the face of the child; but there was neither voice nor hearing. Therefore he went back to meet him, and told him, saying, “The child has not awakened replacement prednisone natural medical steroid .”
This story shows us what to do with that curve that tried to take you under; the Shunammite woman gives us a few principles that work – if you work them!
#1 She told Elisha when He gave her the promise of a child – don’t play with me – don’t give me a fantasy wish – I’ve given you the best of what I have – now at least be straight with me.
We can do that with God –when we have given God our life and we are trying to follow His plan to the best of our ability and He gives us a promise – we can hold Him to that promise!
#2 When she got her promise, she did not forget the man of God!
Many times when we enter into our land of milk and honey – we get slack concerning the things of God – the Shunammite woman kept the room for the man of God – she didn’t say there was no room for him anymore – we need the room for the baby! How many times do we neglect doing the things God called us to do using our children for an excuse?
#3When the test came – when the child fell sick and as scripture records died in her arms – she ran to the man of God – she ran to the One who promised her that blessing!
We can do that with God – when God gives us a promise and it looks with all natural eyes and common sense that the promise has died – we can and must run to the Promise maker in behalf of our Promise!
#4 When she saw the Man of God – and this is why I used the KJV and he asked her from afar about her condition – with each question – she replied – IT IS WELL!
If God said it, it’s settled! It doesn’t matter what it looks like – it doesn’t matter what it sounds like – it doesn’t matter if it’s dead – the same one who breathed the breath of life in the first time – can do it again!
Her faith in the promise – and her belief in the Promise maker – sent her on what some would say was a hopeless journey – think of the time that passed as she made ready to go – traveled (not by car) to the man of God – and then traveled back – first Gehazi went and only after all that did the man of God come!
Have you ever heard – He might not come when you want Him, but He’s always right on time?
Tomorrow we will conclude with this story – by looking at some things the prophet Elisha did when he encountered the woman’s dead son. Join us tomorrow for the conclusion of The Prophet’s Reward!
God Bless You,
Maria