And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. Let us make a little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither. And it fell on a day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay there. And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he had called her, she stood before him. And he said unto him, Say now unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own people. (2 Kings 4:8-13)
This woman demonstrated great faith in God not only in serving the holy man of God but also in trusting in Him for all her needs. She was content with all God had given her and had no complaints to bring to the king nor did she have any need of glory or praise. Her people were enough for her and with God as her provider she had all she needed. God gave her a son and when she sought Elisha on behalf of that son, God gave the boy his life again in response to her faith in Him.
Those who have trusted God with the salvation He gives to whosoever will receive His free gift through faith in Him and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary are also to continue to trust Him for our needs as we walk by faith on our journey here in this broken world. God also calls His people to provide for those who are doing the work of God, as He leads us to give cheerfully and abundantly to His work. Because God gives unto us abundantly, we give both to the local congregation to accomplish the ministries, missions, and discipleship which God has called us to and to those individuals and ministries God leads us to support that together we can reach the lost with the Gospel, teach all nations all things whatsoever He hath commanded, and preach His Word at all times and in all places. God equips, encourages, and enables His people to do that which He calls them to do for His glory and we are to be content with that which He gives unto us. We should trust and believe that our Creator made us and knows our needs, our Redeemer has saved us and wants our best, and our King deserves our worship and our obedience unto Him. May we continue to be faithful unto Jesus who is our Lord and our God until He returns and we are ushered into His presence.
Until that day, God has commanded those of us who are His saints and know Him to go out into this world to reach the lost that they might be saved from sin. He desires that His people strive to be holy and obedient unto Him that we might minister to those around us who are hurting and in need as He provides. We serve others, equipped with the Word of reconciliation and righteousness, rightly divided and fitly spoken, that they may see Christ in us, the hope of Glory. Our God has commanded us to love one another with an unfeigned love, even as He first loved us, and to disciple one another in the Word of God so that we may all grow in grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Our Lord has commissioned those who are His with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to go where He sends us in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we go, we are to proclaim the Good News of forgiveness through repentance and reconciliation with the Father through faith in His Son, that those who believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah of God might have life in His Name.
God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and the knowledge of the Truth. Jesus loves you and wants to establish a covenant relationship with you that is real and personal. Surrender to Him on His terms and He will give you a brand new life of discipleship and fellowship with Him that is abundant and everlasting. God calls you to faith in Christ and His finished and perfect work on the Cross of Calvary to pay your sIn debt. He has provided the only way of reconciliation with God, forgiveness from God, and Salvation through Jesus Christ, the Son of God who is God the Son, to give you a new life in Christ. Turn away from yourself and your sIn and turn to Him alone for eternal Life, now and always.
In Christ,
Jefferson Sweet