July 13, 2022
Praying Friends,
Thank you for praying each Wednesday for our prodigals and for revival.
David Lloyd Jones said, “A revival means days of heaven upon earth.” This was the desire of Jesus as He taught His disciples to pray. “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:9-10).
While this refers to a coming millennial day when revival will be in full bloom, it is a prayer we should be praying today. There were also glimpses of revival prior to Jesus' birth. Like in the home of the woman from the town of Shunem.
The Hebrew writer refers to this in another astounding statement about faith heroes. He says, “Women received their loved ones back again from death” (Hebrews 11:35). The full account of this happening can be read in 2 Kings 4:8-37.
Being childless in Bible times carried a huge stigma. Such was the case with the Shunammite woman of 2 Kings 4. She was wealthy, but she had no child.
This nameless woman had a real care for God’s prophet Elisha. The story opens by saying she urged him to stay for a meal. Realizing he would be coming to her town regularly, she got her husband to build an addition on their home for him to stay in. She was a woman of practicality and foresight.
In response to her kindness, Elisha asked what she wanted, to which she responded that she needed nothing. He then learned that this aged couple had no children. “And he said, ‘At this season, about this time next year, you shall embrace a son’” (2 Kings 4:16). She could hardly believe her ears, but it happened as the prophet said. What an amazing gift from God!
The child grew, and was working with his dad in the field when things went horribly wrong. He had a terrible headache and later died in his mother’s arms. What tragic heartbreak!
The woman, in great distress, went as fast as she could (on donkey-back) to the prophet and grabbed his feet (2 Kings 4:27). She spoke words of faith, “As the LORD lives and as you yourself live, I will not leave you” (2 Kings 4:30).
She had personally witnessed the miracle that brought the child to her, and now she was holding on (by faith) that God could bring him back. He did!
Our God is the God of life. When Jesus met Martha on the way to Bethany, He said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25).
He is the source, the very author of life. Because of the resurrection of our Savior, you can be confident that He will give life to those who believe in Him. He brings life where there is deadness.
He did so on your salvation day by raising you from deadness to life in Christ. He continues to give life each moment of your life. Where do you need to receive His life-giving power today? Is it a dead dream that needs renewing? Is it a dead relationship that needs restoration? Or is it a dead habit that needs reinstatement into your routine?
Secondly, God honors true faith. This Shunammite woman is a good example showing us that God knows, cares, and acts in the details of life. He saw her deliberate and persistent behavior and chose to respect her wishes.
God will reward you for faithful living (Hebrews 6:10). He knows what you are going through. He cares about the problems and difficulties you face. If He chooses not to physically change what you are passing through, He is always willing and desiring to bring fresh life to you.
Christian living is a process of maturing into the image of Jesus. This in itself is recompense beyond words.
When prayers don’t get answered the way you hoped they would, our God is present with you. Life doesn’t always happen the way you want it to. Faithfulness doesn’t preclude tragedy, but even in the midst of devastating circumstances, the Giver of Life is there with you. He will be your strength.
Live in His presence today, and enjoy a little heaven on earth!
Love in Christ,
Bryan and Rachel