Happy New Year friends!! I pray that you all have enjoyed your holiday season and are continuing to stay safe. We have entered into a new year and I am praying that this will be a healthier year where we will be able to recover, heal, and recharge. While on a little writing break last month, I became intrigued by an AMAZING woman in the Bible. I am excited to share with you about her. I know it’s been a while, but it’s Bible study time!!

So, the woman I am referring to is actually never mentioned by name. She is simply called “The Shunamite Woman” because she is from a town called Shunem. This story is found in 2 Kings 4:8-37. As always, I will give you a brief synopsis, but please go check it out in your free time. In the story there was a prophet named Elisha that would frequently pass through the town of Shunem. On his trips, the Shunamite Woman who was very prominent and hospitable, offered him meals each time he came through. She felt certain that Elisha was a man of God, so she asked her husband if they could build him a room with the essentials needed for a comfortable stay. She seemed to be one that just did things because she was kind and she knew that he was a man of power. Since she went above and beyond to serve him, he wanted to return the favor by asking her what he could do for her.

The Shunamite Woman basically replied that she was good, she had all she needed, no need for any favors. Elisha later asked his servant what can be done in this situation. The servant informed him that the woman did not have a son and that her husband was old. Elisha asked the servant to go get her. He prophesied to her saying “By this time next year, you will hold a son.” She replied “No my lord, do not lie to your maidservant!” Wow! He spoke to something that she did not ask for, but a prayer that was buried deep in her heart, and she basically said “Don’t play like that!” Have you ever had someone speak to an area that you have stopped praying for, have been praying around, or have just given up hope? How did the servant know that she even had a desire for a son? We must realize that during the Bible days, having children was a symbol of worth. Today, it is totally natural for one to decide they simply don’t want to procreate. More than likely, she had hope before, but she didn’t know that because of her selflessness and willingness to serve someone else that God was going to bless her. Especially since her circumstances were contrary to the norm. She may not have known that Sarah and Abraham were in their 90’s when their promise of a child came! She didn’t want to experience her hope being ignited just feel the pain of disappointment again.

Just as Elisha spoke, she gave birth to a son. Imagine her amazement at the word from the man of God! God had answered her prayer! She held on to the promise and was not letting go! That is how we have to be about the promises of God. Later in the chapter, the story takes an unfortunate turn. Her son died in her arms. The Shunamite Woman didn’t mention anything to his father, she just asked to take the donkey to meet Elisha. When she arrived, Elisha wanted to send the servant out to speak with her, but she was not leaving without Elisha. The promise came from his mouth, so she wanted him to come fix the issue. Soon after, the boy was alive and well. Listen, you gotta go read the story for yourself! She was persistent, and she knew that the promise she was given came from a credible source. Even then, she maintained the confession that “All is well.”

The moral of this story is God is a promise keeper, but we have to hold on to the promise. A long time ago, there was a pastor that was speaking into my life, I don’t remember everything he said, but I do remember him saying that God would not disappoint me. Mind you, this was during a period in my life when I LIVED in disappointment. That is a word that I have held on to, but do you think it hasn’t been tested??!! When I feel a way about certain things, when I was laid off, when I feel impatient, when I feel disappointed about something I have prayed for and haven’t seen, I remember those words. Sometimes I have to say it out loud. He is not offended when we remind Him of His promises. He has given us so many in His word to carry us through every moment, and He has also sent others to share a word to keep us on track. This builds our faith, renews our confidence, and gives us strength as we await the fulfillment of His word.

I know that we had some high expectations for 2020, and it left a lot of us disappointed, discouraged, and hopeless. Let’s regain those expectations, renew our strength, begin to dream again, and allow our hope to be restored. With all of the uncertainties 2021 can bring, we can choose joy, hope, and peace. Our father is not a liar, but sometimes we can hold up our fulfillment because we don’t believe Him to be faithful. Because we are afraid to dream again. Life has groomed us to be a see it to believe it type of people. But this year, let’s learn to lean into the promises of God. There is ABSOLUTELY nothing that is impossible for Him.

Father, we believe you. We will make a decision daily to trust in your promises and maintain a posture that says all is well. You have told us time after time that your promises never fail. You love us, and it is your good pleasure to give us the kingdom. You said if we as sinful people know how to give good gifts to our children, how much more will our heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him. We receive that promise, and we ask that you will fill us with your joy and renew our hope as we await your promises. We believe, but help our unbelief. Help us to rehearse your promises and hide them in our hearts so that we will always be encouraged by the lover of our souls. Our wait is not a waste with You. Allow us to prepare and have the capacity to receive and steward the promise well. Amen! Love you all and I pray this story has blessed you and ignited hope in you as it did me!

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