Daily Thought

In reading this passage today, we recall that Elijah had been faced with the problem of a child that died, and he had been able to bring him back to life. The Shunamite’s son dies, and Elisha is confronted with the sadness. Very little is said between the woman and the prophet. Gehazi enquires at the prophet’s command, ‘Is it well with the child?’. Her answer is sure, ‘It is well’. Her heart must have been breaking, but her confidence is sure. It seemed as if she trusted in the God whom Elisha represented. She had seen from the start that he was a man of God. It is good to catch the assurance that God is in control, and therefore that things must be well.

When Elisha comes into the house the child is on the bed. Death is there with its coldness and sorrow. The prophet shuts the door on both of them. Can this be a challenge to us as we pray? Just two of them in God’s presence. Jesus said in Matthew chapter six verse six, ‘But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret’, Matt. 6. 6. The shut door, the quiet time, and the quiet heart are essential as we come before God for blessing. To be alone with God each day is a ‘must’.

Notice how Elisha treats the child. He lies upon the child, mouth to mouth, eyes to eyes, hands upon hands, v. 34. So it is, in dealing with those for whom we pray, especially when we are involved with the needs of children. We need to draw very close, very near. Compassion and understanding will have this effect on us as we draw near to the Lord on their behalf.

So it is that warmth comes to the child’s flesh and eventually he opens his eyes. The mother receives back her son and she worships God as the result. To identify with the needs of young people today is not easy. The generation is hard, blind, and godless. Yet our aim must be to be involved with them in such a way that we see their eyes open to Christ and eternal life. Said Paul to Timothy, ‘From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation’, 2 Tim. 3. 15. Pray again for that child!

Thought: - A child won for Christ; a whole life saved.