One day Elisha went on to Shunem, where a wealthy woman lived, who urged him to eat some food. So whenever he passed that way, he would turn in there to eat food. – 2 Kings 4:8
The first thing we are told about this woman is that she had been blessed financially. God had blessed her, and she wanted to bring blessing to others.
One way she could do this was to give hospitality to the prophet Elijah. Now she took it a step further. She told her husband, “I know that this is a holy man of God… Let us make a small room… and put there for him a bed, a table, a chair, and a lamp” (4:9-10).
This woman was blessed, and she wanted to be a blessing to others. Elisha wanted to return her kindness, so he asked what he could do for her. She replied, “I dwell among my own people” (4:13). This is a wonderful expression of contentment. “What more could I want?”
But she did not have a child. This had likely been a great disappointment, but she had come to a point of accepting it. “God has blessed me, and I am content.”
Elisha told her, “About this time next year, you shall embrace a son” (4:16). The woman’s reaction was one of caution. “No, my lord… do not lie to your servant” (4:16). But God was true to His Word, and “the woman conceived, and she bore a son” (4:17).
If you are in Christ today, you are greatly blessed. Whatever hardship you face, whatever gift you have not been given, whatever disappointment you know, in Jesus Christ you are supremely blessed.
God has set His love on you. God has sent His Son for you. The Holy Spirit lives in you, and He is always working for your ultimate good.
What disappointments have you wrestled with? Where do you see God’s blessing?
