Encouragement

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In 2 Kings 4:16-18 we read about the kindness shown to Elisha by the woman of Shunem. By virtue of looking well after the servant of God, there was a promise of a son. This promise was a blessing because she had gone to all trouble for Elisha and Gehazi. When the woman was called to the room of the man of God, she received the same promise given to Sarah, “about this time next year you will hold a son in your arms.”

Immediately the devil cast and planted doubt into her heart. This was because she figured her husband to be too old. But glory to God His word came to pass, “and the next year about that same time she gave birth to a son just as Elisha had told her.” The child grew until one day the devil decided to kill him, through a headache. To make matters worse the son died in his mother’s lap. How dare would the promise die in her hands? After all, she had not requested him of the prophet and why was this happening now?

So she set out to look for Elisha. When the husband asked as to the purpose of the journey, she replied that all was well. Eventually she set out with a servant telling him to go up ahead and not wait for her. She wanted to lay her hands on the prophet and tell him that the promise was waiting for him in his room and she wanted him alive. Elisha saw her from a distance and sent his servant to find out if all was well, but that didn’t distract her from coming to him and falling at his feet. She reminded him of what she had said before the son came to pass and now wanted him back.

Elisha had no option but to come and pray for the boy. Mothers who have a promise gone dead are careful to preserve it and go back to the One who made the promise. The Scriptures remind us that He who promised is faithful and He will do it. This woman had faith that Elisha could make her son live again. How many mothers have buried their sons without finding out from God if his time was up? How many fathers have shown the lack of concern over their son like the Shunem husband did? If he were a caring dad, he would have at least tried to find out what had become of the boy.

The Shunem woman gave Elisha no option but to come and ensure that the boy lived. It was he that had made the promise and because the lad was dead it was Elisha’s responsibility to ensure that he was alive. This woman refused to tell the husband that the boy was dead and we can imagine that she told Elisha to resurrect him or face her husband’s wrath. After all,, the father had been so hopeful and had had exciting times with the boy. If he was not raised up by sundown Elisha would have had to consider himself evicted and unwelcome in those parts. That’s the kind of mothers we are looking for today who can talk tough especially about their children and who will seek to protect them with all they have.

Elisha went into the room and began to pray over the lad’s life and made communion with God. This woman was raving mad and she wanted her son alive. You can just assume that Elisha had been told, “Either you stay dead in that room or the boy walks out alive.” He understood the ultimatum because when he prayed the boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes. Finally it was well and the man of God had preserved his reputation and kept his room. It was a power-room after all,. Its furnishings were just adequate for a servant of the highest God.

Elisha then summoned Gehazi and probably told him about the power that was oozing from that room. There had been a need for him to come down personally and deal with this one. After relating a few things he told Gehazi to call her and he did. When she came he said to her, “Take your son.” She came in, fell at his feet and bowed to the ground- a sign of respect for what the prophet had done. Then she took her son and went out. Elisha didn’t say much to her but his mission was accomplished at that place. Maybe he was angry at her lack of faith or maybe he was congratulating her for great faith. But what remains to be seen is that the dead son was indeed dead no more.

This son should serve as an example to mothers who have lost hope. God has His purposes that no one must change because His plans are definite. The devil may try and take away all your focus but remember that a son is in the offing for you. Remember also that the son who is lying dead in the upper room is about to have an encounter with Jesus. That room is no ordinary room. It is a power room and it is not a room that every Jack and Jill use. It is a room that started his very life. Even if your son becomes a living dead man don’t give up hope in him. Place him where the Presence of God will preserve his life and go out looking for the man of God. And when all is said and done don’t forget to fall down, give thanks and worship.

If God gave you the son you’ve walked all that distance to the mountain for, He will surely restore him back to you. Remember that son is an heir of his father’s wealth. Let your confession about your child remain positive even when the physical situations say otherwise. Remember the manifestation begins in the spirit before you see it. Say together with the Shunem woman, “It Is Well” even when it isn’t because your confession will save his life. Remember that the dead son is riding on your faith to pull him out of the deadness. Don’t fail your boy.

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