I dare you to HOPE

Brother J faithfully sends out sermon summaries every week. This one struck a chord in my heart.

In a time like this- whatever it may be for you- exams, peak periods, recession, depression... I pray this message which encouraged me (for I go through dark valleys in my life as well), will go on to encourage you.

[As per the email- If you're short of time, catch the bold]

The Surprises of God

This Sunday, we were privileged to have brother Chin Ee Tek give the message on the Surprises of God, which focused on the story of Elisha and the Shunemmite woman.

The background of the story was the Kingdom Divided, the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. Elisha’s ministry was mainly to the Northern Kingdom, as was the ministry of his master before him, Elijah. Whereas Elijah’s message was mainly of judgment and in very public settings, Elisha’s message was of the grace, mercy and love of God, and he ministered mainly to individuals, privately. Shunem was only a small place in Israel, near Mount Carmel and it could hardly be found in the map. Still, Elisha must have passed there on his circuit, and a small Shunemmite couple there decided to show kindness and hospitality to this man of God. They even went to the extent of preparing a small room for Elisha so that he could stay there when he was in the area. Elisha was touched and wanted to repay their kindness. However, they seemed to have no physical needs. They were well to do, and did not ask Elisha for anything. Still, Elisha’s observant servant, Gehazi highlighted to him that the couple had no children, and this would have been a matter of great sadness to them. And so Elisha promised them a son, even prophesying the time he would be delivered. The main lesson of this first scene was that God’s grace is shown to common people, like you and me.

At this point, brother Chin also told us some aspects of the story of Eric Lidell, the famous runner who chose not to run the 100m because the event was on a Sunday, and he felt doing so would be dishonoring God. The headlines the next day blared “God before country”, and his decision sent shockwaves across the whole sporting world. Still, he had the opportunity to run in the 400m and this event he won amazingly against the odds, breaking the world record. Before his race, it was said that his sister had passed to him a note quoting 1 Samuel 2:30, the words of the Lord “Those who honor me I will honor” and he held the note to the finishing line. His story is of course immortalized in the great film, the Chariots of Fire, and he lived a great life of service to God in his missionary work in China. The key point of the entire message was exactly that “Those who honor the Lord will be honored”, and this was exactly true of the Shunnemite woman.

In the second scene, we see a terrible tragedy, for the son of the Shunnemite woman had died prematurely. In her agony, she immediately set out to find Elisha in Mount Carmel. She had serious questions. Why did God allow this to happen? Why bring this sorrow upon her when she had not even asked for a son? Why do bad things happen to good people? Still, her actions showed that she had not given up hope. She believed Elisha could do something. It was an exercise of faith that caused her not to prepare the funeral but to immediately seek Elisha. In her urgency, she did not slow down to explain the matter to Gehazi. She was persistent. She pleaded for her son. There are certain burdens we do not tell others, but here the Shunnemite woman poured out her troubles to Elisha.

The initial action did not work, for even the great staff of Elisha had not raised the boy, and there was a sense of desperation in the air. However, Elisha and the Shunnemite woman still hoped, still believed, and God eventually answered and restored the son to life.

In the final scene, we see another moment of crisis involving this same Shunnemite lady. In response to Elisha’s prophecy of a famine that would last seven years, she fled to the land of the Philistines with her family. After that time, she came back to beg the King of Israel for her land back. In the first scene, she had been well-to-do, with no physical wants, but now, she was in serious trouble, and could lose everything she had if the king did not listen to her request. Just so happened, at that very moment when she came in, Gehazi, the servant of Elisha was there, talking to the king. In fact, he was talking about the exact miracle Elisha had done concerning her, in raising her son to life. And when she came, Gehazi quickly pointed out to the king that she was the one. Amazed, the king granted her request, and even better, ordered that all the income due from her land during the 7 years be restored to her! God is in control of all things, and His timing is always perfect!

In closing, brother Chin exhorted us to always remember that God honors those who honor Him, and never give up hope, but trust that God will make all things perfect in His good timing. May the Lord indeed help us honor Him and trust Him at all times to the end. In Jesus name, Amen.


Hopeful,
Mi.