Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
New Believing in the Risen Christ
2 Kings 4:27-37
Robin Varghese
Epiphany MTC, NY
30 Then the mother of the child said, “As the Lord lives,
and as you yourself live, I will not leave without you.” So he rose up and
followed her.
In a world where science predominates our reasoning, it has become increasingly difficult for people to simply “believe by faith”. We view the world being bound by finite thoughts and logical statements, but often forget the infinite, boundless power found only in our Father- who, at will, can transform our world and lives in ways we could never fathom. Such is seen in both the Old and New Testament, through the power of God in resurrection.
In 2 Kings 4:27-37, we read of Elisha, a man filled with “double portion of Elijah’s spirit”, raising the Shunammite woman’s dead son to life. At first glance we see the Spirit of God working through Elisha as he prayed to God and performed the miracle of resurrection, but we seem to overlook the other major character- the Shunammite woman. We learn from The Word that the Shunammite woman, although unnamed, was a very wealthy and important woman in high stature within society. Even though she had all the credentials to provide aid for her son, she chose to place her faith in God and entrust Elisha with her son. She believed in the Holy Spirit working through Elisha and was persistent and perseverant in her requests for Elisha to enter her house and heal her son. Her faith was so strong that she “would not leave without him”, knowing fully well that this man of God can raise her son to life. For her faith and belief in the God, her son was brought back to life.
The challenge presented before us is this- can we have a faith in God’s power such that the dead can be brought to life? We read the Bible and we continually to seek the guidance of our Father, yet we are skeptical if the God in the Bible truly exists today in our world. The comfort we have is that we believe in the Living Word, a divinely inspired Word that continually impacts our lives as we live it today. The God of today is the same God who worked through Elisha to raise the boy to life, the same God who, through sending the Holy Spirit, allowed Peter to raise Tabitha to life, and, certainly, the same God who sent His Only Son for our sins to be resurrected and conquer death. The infinitesimal power of God is experienced continually, yet all we need to do is believe.
In a world where science predominates our reasoning, it has become increasingly difficult for people to simply “believe by faith”. We view the world being bound by finite thoughts and logical statements, but often forget the infinite, boundless power found only in our Father- who, at will, can transform our world and lives in ways we could never fathom. Such is seen in both the Old and New Testament, through the power of God in resurrection.
In 2 Kings 4:27-37, we read of Elisha, a man filled with “double portion of Elijah’s spirit”, raising the Shunammite woman’s dead son to life. At first glance we see the Spirit of God working through Elisha as he prayed to God and performed the miracle of resurrection, but we seem to overlook the other major character- the Shunammite woman. We learn from The Word that the Shunammite woman, although unnamed, was a very wealthy and important woman in high stature within society. Even though she had all the credentials to provide aid for her son, she chose to place her faith in God and entrust Elisha with her son. She believed in the Holy Spirit working through Elisha and was persistent and perseverant in her requests for Elisha to enter her house and heal her son. Her faith was so strong that she “would not leave without him”, knowing fully well that this man of God can raise her son to life. For her faith and belief in the God, her son was brought back to life.
The challenge presented before us is this- can we have a faith in God’s power such that the dead can be brought to life? We read the Bible and we continually to seek the guidance of our Father, yet we are skeptical if the God in the Bible truly exists today in our world. The comfort we have is that we believe in the Living Word, a divinely inspired Word that continually impacts our lives as we live it today. The God of today is the same God who worked through Elisha to raise the boy to life, the same God who, through sending the Holy Spirit, allowed Peter to raise Tabitha to life, and, certainly, the same God who sent His Only Son for our sins to be resurrected and conquer death. The infinitesimal power of God is experienced continually, yet all we need to do is believe.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we
thank You for never letting go of us throughout any turmoil or road we travel
through. Help us believe, once again, how transcendental Your Love and Power is
in our society today. Let us never forget Your Grace and Plan for us and help us
go through each day strengthening our faith and trust in You. In Your Name we
pray, Amen.
THOUGHT
FOR THE DAY:
Can we go out into this world possessing a faith in an omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient God?
Can we go out into this world possessing a faith in an omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient God?