Let me ask you a question: what is it like to be in pitch black darkness? It’s scary, lonely, and hopeless. You can’t see or feel anything - just void. Hopefully the story I’m about to share will shine some light in this void.
2 Kings 4:8-16 NIV
"8 One day Elisha went to Shunem. And a well-to-do woman was there, who urged him to stay for a meal. So whenever he came by, he stopped there to eat. 9 She said to her husband, “I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God. 10 Let’s make a small room on the roof and put in it a bed and a table, a chair and a lamp for him. Then he can stay there whenever he comes to us.” 11 One day when Elisha came, he went up to his room and lay down there. What did Elisha lay on? The bed, right? If you got to choose between a bed and the floor, you’re going to choose the bed. I can imagine that as he’s laying down, probably after a long day of doing the LORD’s work, he thinks to himself, “Man, I’m so glad I have a nice place to lay down.” And all the men say Amen. Elisha looks to his left and sees his table and lamp with the chair by it, remembering all the times he would journal and pray to GOD, and as he’s thinking about all these things that were given to him, he is reminded who gave it to him, and wants to give back to the woman to show his gratitude and appreciation. 12 He said to his servant Gehazi, “Call the Shunammite.” So he called her, and she stood before him. 13 Elisha said to him, “Tell her, ‘You have gone to all this trouble for us. Now what can be done for you? Can we speak on your behalf to the king or the commander of the army?’” She replied, “I have a home among my own people.”
That’s not what she desired. 14 “What can be done for her?” Elisha asked. Gehazi said, “She has no son, and her husband is old.” 15 Then Elisha said, “Call her.” So he called her, and she stood in the doorway. Now, I don’t know if she was busy and had places to be, or if she was just tired of Elisha, but if you’ll notice she is in the doorway. How many times do we treat GOD like this? 16 “About this time next year,” Elisha said, “You will hold a son in your arms.” “No, my lord!” she objected. “Please, man of God, don’t mislead your servant!
When I first read this passage, I was blown away because I knew exactly what she was saying, “Don’t get my hopes up.” I didn’t just understand, I could feel it as well. Last month my grandpa died. My family knew he was going to die soon but we would still pray, still believe, still hope. I’ve tried to hope for some brighter days and keep on hoping but if GOD didn’t fix those situations, how can I believe that He will come in this situation? How can I trust Him again? In every situation you need to sit-you-a-son (or daughter haha) and watch your Father work. Even if He doesn’t “heal,” “fix” or “bring,” “build” or “show” He will still move in ways you can’t believe. Don’t build distance through your disappointment. Do you know what’s beautiful about disappointment? It’s his appointment with you. What’s beautiful about darkness?
As Dan Bremnes puts it in his song Where The Light Is:
“On the edge of hopeless, I called you from the darkness. God, come quickly, only you can save me. Will you lead me where the light is?”
That’s why we go through what we go through, so that we will come back to Him. When the woman said, “Let’s put a bed on the roof.” She didn’t realize that GOD saw her generosity and later gave her the one desire she really wanted. GOD saw her give and He out gave her.
2 Kings 4:17 NIV
"17 But the woman became pregnant, and the next year about that same time she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her.
I will end with some lyrics from Tell Your Heart To Beat Again By Danny Gokey
“Beginning
Just let that wash over you
It’s alright now
Love’s healing hands have pulled you through
So get back up, take step one
Leave the darkness, feel the sun
‘Cause your story’s far from over and your journey’s just begun
Tell your heart to beat again
Close your eyes and breath it in
Let the shadows fall away
Step into the light of grace
Yesterday’s a closing door
You don’t live there anymore
Say goodbye to where you’ve been
And tell your heart to beat again
Let every heartbreak
And every scar
Be a picture that reminds you
Who has carried you this far
‘Cause love sees farther then you ever could
In this moment heaven’s working
Everything for your good”
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