Tuesday 11 March 2008

Background

This story is similar to yesterday's story, which suggests that it was told to show thatElisha was Elijah's true successor. Life and blessings come fromGod through God's prophets but this is not without issues of trust,obedience and action.

The mother knew she needed to contact the "man of God" but herhusband wondered why he would help as it was outside the time youcould normally call upon the prophets for help. But she knew.

On meeting Elisha we are told that he did not know why she wasthere, but she was obviously in distress, so he responded to hercall and sent his servant to help. But the mother persisted andsaid she needed him and would not leave without him.

Elisha duly came and the child lived.

We see trust and action from the mother and trust and obediencefrom Elisha, even when neither of them understood the fullpicture.

To Ponder

In our lives, there are many times when we don'tunderstand the full picture or are overtaken by events beyond ourcontrol. What insights have you gained from this story?

When the Lord seems to have hidden things fromyou, how do you react? Is there a better way?

Is there an action you need to take today inobedience and trust, without knowing the full picture?