Trust His Love
Hello, My name is Ankie, I am a leader in our Women’s ministry, Fame.
We are learning from women in the old testament. The woman I am sharing with you is the Shumamite Woman. You can find her story in 2 Kings 4:8-37.
In short, her story is as follows:
She welcomes the prophet Elisha to her home and makes a room for him in their house to rest from his ministry travels. Elisha prays for her because she is barren, and she miraculously receives a son. But then, at boyhood, her child suddenly dies. When she faces this terrible loss, she trusts God. The prophet raises her son from death.
Several things stood out to me in this story. In vs 16 when the prophet Elisha tells her “ about this time next year, you will hold a son in your arms” the woman replies: “ no my lord, do not mislead your servant.” I could sense the pain that not having a child had caused her. She probably did not dare to dream that having a child was even possible. However, in vs 8-10 it says: “One day Elisha went to Shumem. 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 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.”
I found it remarkable that even through the pain and disappointment in their life, this woman and her husband decided to show generosity and hospitality to Elisha. They did this by providing meals and a guest room, nothing out of the ordinary. They just shared what had been given to them.
In my own life I have hopes and dreams that look like they will not be fulfilled. Certain expectations of how my life should be are not met and there is disappointment and pain. What I get out of this story is that by serving and giving to others, despite my own issues, I position myself for God to work in my life and the life of my family. And it doesn’t have to be huge, I can just share with others what I already have been given. Of course there is a season of grief and need for solitude to deal with difficulty and loss, but when that season is over, I have found comfort and encouragement in serving others.
As the story about this woman continues, she gets pregnant and gives birth to a son. She (and her husband) must have been so grateful and excited! After hope was basically lost, God blessed them with a child.
But one day, the boy complains of a headache and dies in his mother’s arms only a few hours later. (vs 20) I can only imagine the sorrow and grief this woman felt. She was probably in a state of shock. How could this happen? Why did God give them a child only to allow him to be taken away so prematurely?
The woman decides to go to the man of God. She does not tell anyone what happened, not even her husband. She does not stop or rest until she arrives where Elisha is staying. He senses something is wrong and treats her with compassion and love (vs 27) She tells him in vs 28: “ Did I ask you for a son, my lord? Didn’t I tell you, don’t raise my hopes?”
At first Elisha sends his assistant Gehazi to heal and raise the child, but she insists that he himself comes with her. After arriving at her house, he miraculously raises the boy back to life. (vs 32-35)
Recently I received a difficult diagnosis regarding a close family member. I felt in a state of shock and unbelief. What this story is teaching me is to not get distracted, but to go directly to Jesus and trust His love. I can tell Him how I feel. I don’t have to accept that this diagnosis is final or fatal. When I am persistent in bringing Christ into this situation, I can have hope for a good outcome.
Maybe you can share on the blog how this story of the Shunamite woman is helping you in your life.
I want to end by mentioning how friendship, support and prayer from my church family is helping me to stay in peace. I’d like to encourage you to find a community that supports you and where you can support others. Some suggestions on how you can do this is by sharing on the Fame blog and/or by joining a Friend Group.