Hope is defined as a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen. God wants us to GET OUR HOPES UP! This week, Pastor Joaquin spoke about The Shunamite woman; a woman who experienced a great miracle that changed the way she handled the tragedy in her life.
2 Kings 4:16
"At this season, about this time next year, you shall embrace a son." And she said "No, my Lord, O man of God; do not lie to your servant."
1) With Hope you can ask again.
The scriptures indicate that having a child seemed like an impossible occurrence for the Shunamite woman. She is the perfect example of someone who does not want to get her hopes up. But she conceives and bears a son just as Elisha said. Many of us have tucked requests away in our prayer closets when things seem impossible. But God reminds us here in this text, that we can ask again.
2 Kings 4:26
Run at once to meet her and say to her, ‘Is all well with you? Is all well with your husband? Is all well with the child?’ ” And she answered, “All is well.”
2) With Hope all is well.
When the child had grown, he died in his mother's lap. What would we do if the miracles we prayed for begin to show no signs of life? Instead of doubting, when asked how her child is she replies, "All is well." It's not disillusionment - you can know that everything is not ok but when you understand who is in control, you know all is well!
2 Kings 4:34-35
Then he went up and lay on the child, putting his mouth on his mouth, his eyes on his eyes, and his hands on his hands. And as he stretched himself upon him, the flesh of the child became warm. Then he got up again and walked once back and forth in the house, and went up and stretched himself upon him. The child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes.
3) With Hope you have the strength to hold on.
The Shunamite woman's approach is different this time. She would not let go of the prophet until she got what she desired: her son to live again. Elisha does not stop praying when he feels the boy's body get warm. He stretches his body over the child until he comes back to life.
A lot of us stop at warm, God wants us to see it through!
