Trusting God In Every Season
Wednesday, December 11
2 Kings 8:1-4 (NIV)
“Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, “Go away with your family and stay for a while wherever you can, because the LORD has decreed a famine in the land that will last seven years.” The woman proceeded to do as the man of God said. She and her family went away and stayed in the land of the Philistines seven years. At the end of the seven years she came back from the land of the Philistines and went to appeal to the king for her house and land. The king was talking to Gehazi, the servant of the man of God, and had said, “Tell me about all the great things Elisha has done.”
Devotion
The story of the Shunammite woman in 2 Kings 8:1-4 is a powerful example of God’s provision and restoration. After experiencing the miraculous restoration of her son through Elisha’s prayer, she faced a new challenge, a famine. Elisha, God’s messenger, warned her to leave her home and live in a foreign land for seven years.
This woman had to trust God, leaving behind her home and possessions to follow His direction. After the famine, she returned and boldly appealed to the king to restore her land. By divine providence, her story was being recounted to the king at that exact moment, leading to the full restoration of her property and more.
God's plans for us often involve seasons of waiting, obedience, and trust. When God directs us to move or step into the unknown, it is not without purpose. He goes before us, preparing the way and working behind the scenes for our good.
Even when it seems like everything we’ve worked for is at risk, God is faithful to restore what was lost, sometimes in ways that exceed our expectations. Like Pastor Jentezen expresses in his message on Sunday, the Shunammite woman's obedience and faith positioned her to experience God’s miraculous provision and timing.
Today’s Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for this example of how I can and should trust You more, especially in times of waiting, lack, and hardship. I confess my failures to trust in past trials. Help me be faithful, trusting You in the smaller challenges and hardships I commonly endure, so that I can grow in my trust to better handle future times of lack and hardship. I pray also for the kind of prophetic guidance the Shunammite enjoyed, that is, specific steps of guidance to prepare myself and my family for coming hardships. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Apply It Today
Sometimes the steps of obedience we take seem to lead us to another difficulty rather than what we hoped for. Instead of being discouraged, ask for Jesus’ help with the next step too. God’s faithfulness documented in today’s passage shows us that God works to prepare a way for us even when we do not know it.
Resources:
- What is God asking of you today? Watch and be encouraged by this short clip, “Obedience Is Better Than Sacrifice”, and learn to pass the tests.
- If you are new to the faith, or just new to Free Chapel, take the Next Steps course and begin to grow in faith and in obedience to God.