April 23, 2024
Read scripture reference - 2 Kings 8: 1- 6 (ERV)
In today’s Bible reading, we encounter a narrative, rich with themes of loss, obedience, and restoration. The woman faced loss because of her obedience to God's instructions through the Prophet Elisha. However, her narrative didn't culminate there. There are myriad lessons to glean from her experience, notably that as believers, we aren't immune to loss, yet the Bible furnishes us with a blueprint for reclaiming what's rightfully ours and triumphing over loss. John 16:33 aptly reminds us, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."
The Shunammite woman grappled with loss due to her obedience to God’s word, obediently heeding the Prophet’s directive to relocate. Furthermore, she encountered loss by uprooting to a new location. Many professionals immigrating to other countries can empathize with this form of loss. Picture being at the pinnacle of your career, only to find yourself in a new land, compelled to rebuild your professional network from scratch. Moreover, her property likely suffered neglect in her absence, contributing to loss through lack of utilization. Finally, adversaries exploited her absence and vulnerability, exacerbating her losses.
When we opt to obey God’s instructions, we may experience temporary material loss. It might appear as though we're forfeiting gains. However, through faith, trusting in God for restoration, and perseverance, we prevail. It's imperative to acknowledge that recovery from loss is assured for all who place their trust in God and adhere to the principles outlined in 2 Kings 8:1-6. Let's delve into how the Shunammite woman adhered to these principles.
Firstly, she discerned the need for divine intervention, recognizing that the situation exceeded her capabilities. Have you ever embarked on a DIY project that seemed straightforward until you found yourself midway, grappling with confusion, contemplating whether professional assistance would have been wiser? Psalms 50:15 and Proverbs 3:5-6 underscore the significance of relying on God, seeking His counsel, and trusting in His guidance rather than needlessly struggling when we rely on our own strength.
Secondly, she grasped that true restoration of her property and income hinged on God's intervention through Elisha and the King. Noteworthy in her narrative is the role of community; she exhibited vulnerability and accepted assistance from others. God often works through individuals to effect restoration in our lives. His network of helpers is boundless, and He employs it to reclaim what we've lost. For her, restoration wasn't merely a fairy-tale ending but a testimony to God's continuous activity, even amidst famine or drought, as Romans 8:28 attests.
Thirdly, her story underscores the importance of advocacy in the recovery process. In 2 Kings 8:5, Gehazi pleaded her case before the King. Do you have individuals who intercede for you in prayer and advocate on your behalf in times of need? Advocacy serves as a conduit for reclaiming lost possessions. It entails standing in the gap, speaking up, and recounting God's faithfulness in our lives.
Through advocacy, we become vessels of God's grace, facilitating the process of restoration for ourselves and others. We must discern the advocates God places in our lives and seize opportunities to advocate for others. Gehazi's testimony to the King laid the groundwork for the Shunammite woman's plea to be favorably received. In our quest to reclaim lost possessions, our testimonies serve as potent catalysts, attesting to God's power.
Finally, the Shunammite woman didn't idly await the return of her property; she petitioned the King, actively asserting her rights. Reclaiming what's lost demands action on our part. Matthew 7:7 instructs us, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." We must diligently pursue God's promises for our lives, mirroring the Shunammite woman's bold approach in claiming what was rightfully hers. She didn't passively wait, hoping for restitution someday; she knew her entitlements and was prepared to seize them, similar to Joshua's resolve in possessing the promised land as recounted in Joshua 1:3.
What does this entail for us as Christians? It entails praying fervently and taking faith-filled steps, even amidst uncertainty. She took action, and as believers, we're called to proactive measures toward recovery and restoration, entrusting God to meet us. God's promises aren't merely aspirational; we must be poised to pursue and lay claim to them in every facet of our lives.
As we apply these strategies, let's draw inspiration from the Shunammite woman's narrative and the restoration of her property. Let it serve as a testament that with God, nothing is irretrievably lost, and we possess a blueprint for restoration.
Let's tread this path with assurance, cognizant that our advocate, Jesus Christ, goes before us, alongside us, and behind us, championing our cause and reclaiming what's been lost. Above all, the King has ruled in our favor. Whatever petition you present before God today, receive it in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Song of Worship
I'm reaping the harvest God promised me Take back what the devil stole from me And I rejoice today, for I shall recover it all Yes, I rejoice today, for I shall recover it all
Song: Faithful is our God by Hezekiah Walker and The Love Fellowship Choir
Prayer - As the Lord liveth, in the name of the Lord Jesus, that which I have lost, that which I thought was gone, Jehovah puts it back into my hand. So it is, and shall be in Jesus' name Amen
Bible in 1 year: 2 Samuel 21-22