PERSIST
- DAY 241
- FAITH FILE: SHUNNAMITE WOMAN
- SCRIPTURES: 2 Kings 4:28-37
“Then she said, “Did I ask you for a son, my Lord? And didn’t I say, ‘Don’t deceive me and get my hopes up’?” Then Elisha said to Gehazi, “Get ready to travel; take my staff and go! Don’t talk to anyone along the way. Go quickly and lay the staff on the child’s face.” But the boy’s mother said, “As surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, I won’t go home unless you go with me.” So Elisha returned with her. Gehazi hurried on ahead and laid the staff on the child’s face, but nothing happened. There was no sign of life. He returned to meet Elisha and told him, “The child is still dead.” When Elisha arrived, the child was indeed dead, lying there on the prophet’s bed. He went in alone and shut the door behind him and prayed to the Lord. Elisha got up, walked back and forth across the room once, and then stretched himself out again on the child. This time the boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes!”
2 Kings 4:28-33, 35 NLT
One thing that life offers us when we make a demand is an option. Sometimes these options or suggestions are different from what it is that is our original intention. So let’s say that you want to get a three-story building and you don’t have all the money. You have people advising you saying, “How about you start with the bungalow and then maybe you can grow and progress.” And it can sound like wisdom, but because it sounds wise, doesn’t make it a strategy for you. For the Shunammite Woman who had lost her son and is now in front of Elisha seeking healing, she too is presented with an option.
Elisha instructs Gehazi to go in his place with his staff and put it on the child. But this woman was not ready to take something that looked like what she came for. She was courageous enough to continue requesting what she needed and not allow what he had suggested to be what she took home. And so she persists and says, I’m not going anywhere until I get what I want.
You’re Not Needy
You see, as people of courage, it can be easy to go with something that seems like help but is not. Because you are afraid of being labeled as too needy, picky, or someone with high standards. Knowing what you want and sticking to it is not being needy, so do not be afraid. History has proven that if you persist and keep saying, “This is what God promised to me, this is what I am entitled to according to His word.” then you will get it. The Bible also agrees with this history. For example, Jacob held on to the angel until he got a new life.
God always honors those who diligently seek Him. He gives them what they are diligently seeking Him for. Be courageous enough to hold on for what it is that you need. And thank God that this woman didn’t quit on her request. Because if she did, her son might still be lying there. As Gehazi put the stick/staff on the child, the child didn’t wake up. So sometimes the substitute might be a good idea, but it may not work for you. Don’t give up.
Shalom.
