Faith For The Miraculous

Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: “For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.”- Hebrews 10:35-38

The book of 2 Kings 4:8  tells of the Woman of Shunem who loved God and offered to support the ministry of Elisha by providing meal for the man of God when Elisha was on mission work. Even though the woman entertained the prophet whenever he was in the city of shunem, the woman was still not satisfied with the little she had done; the good woman went a step further by creating a room for the prophet in her house to pass the night. Thank God, that the woman had a godly husband who agreed with his wife to be hospitable to the man of God. (2 Kings 4:9-10)

This woman did all these things out of a genuine heart, not because she was expecting any reward from the man of God. After all, according to her, she had all she wanted, apart from the issue of childlessness which she had already accepted as her fate.

Brethren, God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love which you have shown toward His home, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister (Heb 6:10). Also, anointing works at the level of appreciation. The kindness and generosity of the woman provoked the anointing of the man of God, Elisha, to ask what could be done for the woman, even though she never disclosed to the prophet. It was Gehazi who told the prophet that the woman was barren, not the woman herself. As far a she was concerned, the issue of child bearing was a closed chapter in her life. But whether she thought of having a child or not, her goodwill got her a miracle child. (2 Kings 4:17) But one day, the enemy struck; the miracle child died.

Beloved, the devil is a thief; his aim is to steal whatever is precious to you. No thief will rob an empty house, so also if your life is fruitful, it will certainly provoke demonic hatred. So, instead of crying, “why me” whenever you are faced with any contrary circumstance, know that the demonic hatred you face is a sign that you are important to heaven. So stop feeling sorry for yourself and save lamentation for your enemy. (2 Kings 4:19-20)

Brethren, whatever God gives you can be lost; if you are careless with it. (Rev. 3:11). The woman of Shunem did not give up on her child that was dead. She ran to the man of God (2 Kings 4:24-37) who restored the child back to life. Life requires a fight because nothing that is good comes cheap. God is always excited at the faith of His children and they will be rewarded for their faith here on earth and in the world to come.