Lessons from the Shunem woman

Where are you coming from?

Oh we had a programme in church and I attended it.

But the programme ended 2 hours ago, where did you go?

 If you must know I went to the man of God. I took a gift to him and prayed with him in his room. You know I have this job interview coming up and it is very competitive. I need all the anointing I can get. Why are you shaking your head? It is true; that’s where I went.

You have strange practices indeed.

Ah! Did Saul not insist on taking a gift to the man of God before inquiring of God through him? You don’t like men of God, or you think only your church has anointing.

Is that so? And what became of Saul eventually? Have you read about the Shunem woman? 2Ki 4:8(GNB)  One day Elisha went to Shunem, where a rich woman lived. She invited him to a meal, and from then on every time he went to Shunem he would have his meals at her house. In all her giving she never mentioned childlessness. Elisha never knew even when he pressed her to reward her for her kindness. This man of God may not know your name, but knows you as a sister in need. The Shunem woman’s motive of giving was not an answer to her prayer even when before the powerful man of God.

So what? Different strokes for different folks.

 Yes, and different results also. By coming with this specific request don’t you think you are limiting your reward?

How do you mean? She got her baby, I will get my job.

She got her baby that is true; she also had him raised from the dead. In fact she was protected from famine unlike other givers in Israel like you…

 Don’t abuse me o.

Sorry; no offense meant. She also had her lands restored when they were seized 2Ki 4 and 8. God reserves his best for those who serve Him unconditionally.

Thank you for your lecture. Can I go now?

 I’m not finished yet. You said you entered his room?

 Ah ah, were we supposed to pray in the corridor?

Well the shunem woman did not do this. Elisha said, "Call her." So Gehazi called her, and she stood in the doorway. Elisha said, "At this time next spring, you will hold a baby boy in your arms." The woman became pregnant and had a son at that time next year2Ki 4:15-17(GW). Even though it was in her house, and Gehazi was there she stayed at the doorway and received her blessing.

Kai! Na wah o, Mommy these are modern times!

 Modern times with ancient sins. These things happened to them as a warning to us. All this was written in the Scriptures to teach us who live in these last days. Even if you think you can stand up to temptation, be careful not to fall. 1Co 10:11, 12(CEV) Follow the example of godly women.

Unanswered questions Week 8, 2014

Perhaps you are facing darkness of some sort in life. Darkness mingled with pain. Perhaps you have sought to make meaning of it all and desire to cry out “God! Why?”. Do you realize that Jesus asked God “Why?” in a question which we have no record of a verbal answer?

He’d been hanging on the cross from 9am, and 3 hours later at noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon.  At three o'clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice, "Eloi, eloi, lema sabachthani?", which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"Mk 15:33, 34(ISV).  In all the gospel records no verbal answer from heaven is recorded, but without doubt the Father heard.

O how many of us cry out and become dejected when we get no answer. Heaven’s silence did not mean Jesus is no son. He is the unique son of God. In heaven there was silence following Jesus’ action: When the Lamb broke open the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Rev 8:1(GNB)  Your hearing silence now is no indication you are no child of God.

What do we do then? In  Jesus we have our example and pattern. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses. Instead, we have one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet he never sinned.Heb 4:15(ISV).

Some say don’t ask God “why”. Since Jesus never sinned how come some teach that we must never ask God “Why?” when confounded? Consider Hannah: but I poured out my soul before Jehovah…  for out of the abundance of my complaint and my provocation have I spoken1Sam 1:15, 16 (ASV) .

Her cry was silent, a burden poured out voicelessly. Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and so it was not a secret cry.

It is good to cry out to God in our bitter pain. But His cry was not a rage against heaven, a fist shaken against the Almighty. It was and is the greatest expression of faith: “My God, my God…” not “this God”. Is it not painful worship? Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped …  Job 1:20(KJV).  At such times cry out to God honestly: call Him “My God” and so worship Him in the midst of your pain.

The next thing we see is Jesus’ action to fulfill scripture. Jesus, that the scripture might be accomplished, saith…. Jn19:28 (ASV) When you face silence from heaven ask “what scripture in my situation remains to be fulfilled?” Then do it. Give; do what God had said to be done in your situation. His glory will  come. Call Him “Father”, and genuinely commit your cause, your spirit, to Him.

I believe God answered. Heaven’s apparent silence is but for a moment. God is not silent as our senses may think, but on is course. He answered in tearing the curtain separating the holy of holies from human access in two from top to bottom (Lk 23:45), He answered in continuing the work for which Jesus Christ cried out in pain at the cross. Shall He not confirm and complete you as well?

worship for a fee

I can see you have a slightly different idea of the meaning of worship. Mmh yes I do, I don’t see it the way some people see it.

How do you mean?

Well a number of people of people see worship from the stand point of singing. When the song gets slow it is called worship. I believe worship is different.

In what ways?

For instance worship is not always associated with singing. The word translated worship in the Old Testament implies to prostrate and fall down flat; the idea of a dog licking his master’s hand in reverence. And coming into the house, they saw the child with Mary His mother. And they fell down and worshiped Him. And opening their treasures, they presented gifts to Him, gold and frankincense and myrrh. Mt 2:11(MKJV)  Notice its effect on them: releasing freely without conditions from your treasure unto your king. Wait this was a prophetic action showing what the baby Jesus  would be…

I am coming yet.

Consider Anna the prophetess, a widow for eighty-four years. She never left the temple, but continued to worship there night and day with times of fasting and prayer. Just then she came forward and began to thank God and to speak about the child to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. Lk 2:37, 38(ISV) 

Worship here meant waiting on God. The idea is that of a waiter in the restaurant who serves you. Worship for Anna also had an effect: it resulted in her being thankful and speaking to people about Jesus. Genuine worship changes the worshipper. I think it is a heart attitude, our consciously surrendering again and again to the Lord with joy. Our admiration of His power and greatness is but a starting point. Worship changes us, not God, and results in serving Him with joy and speaking to men about Jesus. That is the business of worship. Have you heard of the term pay homage?

The point you are making is that worship entails giving to God, but what is wrong with receiving? What do you have against it? You keep attacking it.

Do I? I guess that idea reminds me of Satan’s principle –worship for a fee. The devil said, "I will give all this power and glory to you. It has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to.  Just worship me, and you can have it all."   Jesus answered, "The Scriptures say: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve only him!' " Lk 4:6-8(CEV) 

Satan tempted Jesus with the riches of this world in exchange for worship, what has it to do with God?

Don’t you see? Jesus said worship God, full stop. I want to do just that; what God does with me is entirely up to His loving and powerful nature. What effect has your worship been having on you?