DoublePortion_October2023_8.5x5.5_REV.indd

Paul writes, “I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. . .“But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment’’ (Philippians 4:11, 1 Timothy 6:6). It is a life princi ple the Shunammite woman learned to live by. Cautious- Further probing brought to light the fact the woman and her husband were childless.When Elisha found out he said, “About this time next year, you will hold a son in your arms” (2 Kings 4:16). One might think the woman would have leaped for joy, shouting praises. Instead, she objected, “No my Lord! Please, man of God, don’t mislead your servant!” (2 Kings 4:16). As Scripture says, “The naive believes everything, But the sensible man considers his steps” (Proverbs 14:15). This sensible woman was considering her steps. Oh, she wanted to believe.The stigma of barrenness was brutal in those days. Recall the abuse Hannah took before Samuel was eventually born (1 Samuel 1:6).This couple no doubt got their hopes up many times, eventually coming to grips with the fact they would remain childless.Yet, miraculously, as the prophet predicted, she gave birth to a healthy son. Faithful- Every good story has an element of conflict, this one being no exception.The boy born to the couple developed a life threatening head condition. So, she and one of her servants set out for Mount Carmel in search of the man of God. Seeing them coming, Elisha sent his servant Gehazi out to meet her. When Gehazi arrived and asked how the child was doing, she said, “Everything is all right” (2 Kings 4:26). How could she say everything was all right when the boy was at the point of death back home? -the same way Abraham could lift a knife to slay his son as a sacrifice. (Genesis 22:10). Just like with Abraham, she had the faith to know God was going to work it out for good in the end.

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