1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:04,640 Speaker 1: Let us pray. Then he returned and walked in the 2 00:00:04,680 --> 00:00:07,960 Speaker 1: house to and fro, and went up and stretched himself 3 00:00:08,039 --> 00:00:12,479 Speaker 1: upon him, and the child sneezed seven times, and the 4 00:00:12,600 --> 00:00:18,800 Speaker 1: child opened his eyes. Second Kings four thirty five. There 5 00:00:18,840 --> 00:00:22,000 Speaker 1: are many things that I can call you, Lord, but 6 00:00:22,079 --> 00:00:24,920 Speaker 1: to day I want to acknowledge that you are the 7 00:00:24,960 --> 00:00:31,000 Speaker 1: God that brings life into seemingly dead things. Through Second 8 00:00:31,040 --> 00:00:34,600 Speaker 1: King's foe, I now realize that the same power that 9 00:00:34,760 --> 00:00:40,159 Speaker 1: ran through Elisha runs through me, and like him, I 10 00:00:40,320 --> 00:00:45,080 Speaker 1: choose to be a blessing wherever I go through my obedience, 11 00:00:45,920 --> 00:00:51,480 Speaker 1: create safe places for rest and rejuvenation. Give me uncommon 12 00:00:51,520 --> 00:00:54,720 Speaker 1: favor with others so that all my needs will be met. 13 00:00:55,000 --> 00:01:00,160 Speaker 1: As I walk in my purpose, when opportunities arise for 14 00:01:00,200 --> 00:01:03,920 Speaker 1: me to serve others, help me to be a dream 15 00:01:04,120 --> 00:01:07,440 Speaker 1: conduit for others so that they will be able to 16 00:01:07,520 --> 00:01:12,400 Speaker 1: experience your goodness in their lives. I choose to accept 17 00:01:12,400 --> 00:01:15,520 Speaker 1: the anointing that is needed to be a resource to 18 00:01:15,600 --> 00:01:19,800 Speaker 1: others and to be able to throw myself onto their 19 00:01:19,840 --> 00:01:25,120 Speaker 1: situation and watch you bring them to life. Thank you, Lord, 20 00:01:25,840 --> 00:01:30,600 Speaker 1: that I am a change agent through Christ Jesus. In 21 00:01:30,760 --> 00:01:37,080 Speaker 1: Jesus name, Amen. Thank you for praying with us today. 22 00:01:37,760 --> 00:01:41,280 Speaker 1: Continue your time with God by listening to today's Bible 23 00:01:41,319 --> 00:01:56,680 Speaker 1: story brought to you by Bible in a Year dot com. 24 00:01:56,760 --> 00:02:02,280 Speaker 2: God promises a child. Last story, we witnessed the everyday 25 00:02:02,320 --> 00:02:05,760 Speaker 2: miracles of Elisha. He tended to the flock of God 26 00:02:05,840 --> 00:02:09,640 Speaker 2: with care and love. Elishah's reputation as a loving and 27 00:02:09,680 --> 00:02:13,959 Speaker 2: gentle prophet gave the common people of Israel, who now 28 00:02:14,080 --> 00:02:17,800 Speaker 2: we see yet another example of God's faithfulness through Elisha. 29 00:02:18,120 --> 00:02:20,839 Speaker 2: A rich woman is given a promise, all to see 30 00:02:20,880 --> 00:02:23,960 Speaker 2: it taken away from her. In the grief and sorrow, 31 00:02:24,120 --> 00:02:27,760 Speaker 2: God meets her and restores her to a place of gratitude. 32 00:02:28,320 --> 00:02:31,400 Speaker 2: Inspired by the Book of Second Kings. 33 00:02:33,760 --> 00:02:36,680 Speaker 3: Hello, I'm pastor Jack Graham with today's episode of the 34 00:02:36,720 --> 00:02:40,200 Speaker 3: Bible in a Year podcast. In the last episode, we 35 00:02:40,280 --> 00:02:43,919 Speaker 3: heard about four miracles God performed through the prophet Elisha. 36 00:02:44,800 --> 00:02:47,840 Speaker 3: Through these amazing signs, God was showing the people of 37 00:02:47,919 --> 00:02:50,840 Speaker 3: Israel that he could provide for their needs, cleanse what 38 00:02:51,000 --> 00:02:55,120 Speaker 3: was corrupted, and restore what is lost. And as he 39 00:02:55,200 --> 00:02:58,880 Speaker 3: traveled throughout the nation, Elisha was a prophet and a 40 00:02:58,919 --> 00:03:04,079 Speaker 3: pastor demonstrating God's caring heart for his people. Today will 41 00:03:04,120 --> 00:03:07,639 Speaker 3: witness how a wealthy woman extended kindness and care to Elisha. 42 00:03:08,320 --> 00:03:11,480 Speaker 3: And we'll see another example of God's power and promises 43 00:03:11,720 --> 00:03:14,480 Speaker 3: as the woman is given the sons she so desired. 44 00:03:15,240 --> 00:03:17,639 Speaker 3: But her happiness will be short lived and grief will 45 00:03:17,680 --> 00:03:21,840 Speaker 3: be visited upon her. But God will come through even 46 00:03:21,840 --> 00:03:24,920 Speaker 3: of the sadness and sorrow with kindness and care and 47 00:03:25,000 --> 00:03:29,440 Speaker 3: healing for the woman. Let's listen to this important story today. 48 00:03:30,840 --> 00:03:34,400 Speaker 2: Elijhah's reputation as a man of God preceded him wherever 49 00:03:34,440 --> 00:03:37,720 Speaker 2: he went. In each and every city, there were more 50 00:03:37,800 --> 00:03:40,200 Speaker 2: needs to be met and people to be cared for. 51 00:03:40,960 --> 00:03:44,840 Speaker 2: Elishah's young and vibrant energy was beginning to become slightly 52 00:03:44,880 --> 00:03:48,000 Speaker 2: more dim with age, yet his desire to serve and 53 00:03:48,080 --> 00:03:50,480 Speaker 2: protect the people of God was as strong as ever. 54 00:03:51,040 --> 00:03:54,000 Speaker 2: One day, Elishah was walking into the town of Shunham. 55 00:03:54,600 --> 00:03:58,040 Speaker 2: Whispers and mumbles of his arrival filled the town's streets, 56 00:03:58,160 --> 00:04:01,600 Speaker 2: and people came to him with many needs and many requests. 57 00:04:02,040 --> 00:04:05,920 Speaker 2: Elisha worked all day tending to the people. He loved 58 00:04:05,960 --> 00:04:09,000 Speaker 2: them dearly, but they tended to take more than they gave. 59 00:04:09,880 --> 00:04:14,040 Speaker 2: God strengthened Elisha's heart yet his body was weary. A 60 00:04:14,080 --> 00:04:17,560 Speaker 2: wealthy woman lived in the town and heard of Elisha's arrival. 61 00:04:18,120 --> 00:04:20,200 Speaker 2: She sent word for him to join her and her 62 00:04:20,240 --> 00:04:23,960 Speaker 2: family for a meal. They laughed, cried, and enjoyed one 63 00:04:23,960 --> 00:04:28,200 Speaker 2: another's company. Elisha felt welcomed and loved by the whole family. 64 00:04:28,680 --> 00:04:32,600 Speaker 2: They were a sweet comfort to his weary spirit. Elisha 65 00:04:32,720 --> 00:04:35,680 Speaker 2: continued to work in the town of Shannam. Day by 66 00:04:35,760 --> 00:04:38,880 Speaker 2: day he would minister to the needy and broken. From 67 00:04:38,920 --> 00:04:41,479 Speaker 2: time to time, Elishah would stop by the woman's home 68 00:04:41,520 --> 00:04:44,159 Speaker 2: again and have a meal with her family. Soon he 69 00:04:44,240 --> 00:04:47,799 Speaker 2: became very precious to her, her husband, and the servants 70 00:04:47,800 --> 00:04:51,080 Speaker 2: in her household. Soon the woman came to her husband 71 00:04:51,120 --> 00:04:54,599 Speaker 2: and said, Elisha is truly a man of God. Let 72 00:04:54,720 --> 00:04:56,799 Speaker 2: us build a small room for him on the roof. 73 00:04:57,200 --> 00:04:59,920 Speaker 2: We can put in a bed, a chair, a table, 74 00:05:00,160 --> 00:05:02,560 Speaker 2: and a lamp for him to feel at home. This 75 00:05:02,720 --> 00:05:05,320 Speaker 2: way he has a place to remain when he comes 76 00:05:05,320 --> 00:05:08,520 Speaker 2: into town. So her and her husband built the man 77 00:05:08,560 --> 00:05:11,960 Speaker 2: of God a room. They fed him, laughed with him, 78 00:05:12,000 --> 00:05:15,000 Speaker 2: and gave him a roof for his head. One day, 79 00:05:15,080 --> 00:05:19,200 Speaker 2: Elishah returned to Shannam. He spent the days sacrificing of 80 00:05:19,240 --> 00:05:22,680 Speaker 2: his time, energy, and wisdom in order to restore the 81 00:05:22,720 --> 00:05:27,800 Speaker 2: people to God. He was truly satisfied and truly tired. 82 00:05:28,400 --> 00:05:30,640 Speaker 2: He was thankful that he had a place to stay 83 00:05:30,920 --> 00:05:32,960 Speaker 2: and wanted to bless the family who had been so 84 00:05:33,080 --> 00:05:37,960 Speaker 2: hospitable to him. His servant, Gahazi, was beside him. What 85 00:05:38,160 --> 00:05:40,960 Speaker 2: shall we do in order to bless her? He asked, 86 00:05:41,600 --> 00:05:44,880 Speaker 2: Go and ask her what it is she desires. He said, so, 87 00:05:45,080 --> 00:05:47,839 Speaker 2: Gahazi went to the woman and inquired of what she 88 00:05:47,920 --> 00:05:52,080 Speaker 2: had need of. The woman smiled at the question. However, 89 00:05:52,120 --> 00:05:54,760 Speaker 2: her husband had been very good to her over the years, 90 00:05:55,040 --> 00:05:59,400 Speaker 2: and her family was very wealthy. She had need of nothing. However, 91 00:05:59,440 --> 00:06:02,680 Speaker 2: Gahazi I had noticed the woman had no children. Her 92 00:06:02,760 --> 00:06:05,479 Speaker 2: husband was advanced in years and was most likely not 93 00:06:05,640 --> 00:06:09,360 Speaker 2: long for this world. Perhaps she desired children but could 94 00:06:09,360 --> 00:06:13,120 Speaker 2: not have any. Gahaze returned to Elisha and said she 95 00:06:13,200 --> 00:06:17,120 Speaker 2: said she has need of nothing. But Gahaze paused, wondering 96 00:06:17,200 --> 00:06:20,760 Speaker 2: if he should continue. But what, Elisha asked, what does 97 00:06:20,800 --> 00:06:24,400 Speaker 2: she need? Well, she does not have a son and 98 00:06:24,480 --> 00:06:27,640 Speaker 2: her husband is old. Perhaps a son would give her 99 00:06:27,680 --> 00:06:32,120 Speaker 2: a sense of security and fulfillment, he said. Elishah smiled 100 00:06:32,440 --> 00:06:35,000 Speaker 2: and sent for the woman to come to him. The 101 00:06:35,040 --> 00:06:36,800 Speaker 2: woman came to the room and stood. 102 00:06:36,520 --> 00:06:37,200 Speaker 1: At the doorway. 103 00:06:37,839 --> 00:06:40,280 Speaker 2: Elishah sat up in his chair and stared at the 104 00:06:40,320 --> 00:06:43,560 Speaker 2: woman for a while. She was a kind soul, and 105 00:06:43,640 --> 00:06:47,400 Speaker 2: the Lord desired to bless her. Elisha gave a large grin. 106 00:06:48,360 --> 00:06:50,440 Speaker 2: At this time next year, you will have a son 107 00:06:50,480 --> 00:06:53,599 Speaker 2: in your arms, he said, with a nod. The woman 108 00:06:53,720 --> 00:06:56,640 Speaker 2: paused for a moment, trying to process the words Elisha 109 00:06:56,760 --> 00:06:59,679 Speaker 2: had just spoken. She had given up on having children 110 00:06:59,680 --> 00:07:03,280 Speaker 2: long ago. Instead of a face of gladness, she looked 111 00:07:03,320 --> 00:07:06,479 Speaker 2: as though she was angry. Tears began to stream down 112 00:07:06,480 --> 00:07:09,320 Speaker 2: the woman's face. Do not deceive me, Man of God, 113 00:07:09,640 --> 00:07:12,280 Speaker 2: she cried, Do not get my hopes up. I cannot 114 00:07:12,320 --> 00:07:16,120 Speaker 2: bear it. The distress in her voice was palpable. Elisha 115 00:07:16,200 --> 00:07:18,800 Speaker 2: could sense that there had been years of heartache behind 116 00:07:18,800 --> 00:07:22,520 Speaker 2: this subject. He reassured her of the promise and then 117 00:07:22,600 --> 00:07:26,240 Speaker 2: left the next day back home. Sure enough, a year 118 00:07:26,240 --> 00:07:29,440 Speaker 2: had passed and the woman had a child. The boy 119 00:07:29,560 --> 00:07:32,960 Speaker 2: grew to be strong and independent. He filled her mother 120 00:07:33,040 --> 00:07:36,640 Speaker 2: and father with much joy. The woman had completely given 121 00:07:36,720 --> 00:07:38,800 Speaker 2: up on the hope of a child, but here he 122 00:07:39,000 --> 00:07:43,720 Speaker 2: was her miracle, her blessing from God. She watched as 123 00:07:43,720 --> 00:07:46,600 Speaker 2: he skipped in the field with his father, he loved 124 00:07:46,640 --> 00:07:49,680 Speaker 2: to help him work with the harvesters. She watched as 125 00:07:49,680 --> 00:07:52,400 Speaker 2: the young boy danced with the innocent joy only a 126 00:07:52,520 --> 00:07:56,360 Speaker 2: child possesses. Her heart swelled at the sight of him. 127 00:07:56,840 --> 00:07:59,920 Speaker 2: She watched as his joyous run turned into a jar. 128 00:08:00,760 --> 00:08:03,920 Speaker 2: Then he slowed down to a halt. His hand placed 129 00:08:03,920 --> 00:08:06,480 Speaker 2: firmly on his head. The boy fell to his knees, 130 00:08:06,640 --> 00:08:09,640 Speaker 2: clasping his head as though someone had just struck him. 131 00:08:09,960 --> 00:08:12,880 Speaker 2: His father turned and ran to him. My head hurts, 132 00:08:13,120 --> 00:08:16,840 Speaker 2: the boy screamed, my head hurts. He cried even louder. 133 00:08:17,400 --> 00:08:19,480 Speaker 2: One of the servants picked him up and ran him 134 00:08:19,480 --> 00:08:22,600 Speaker 2: to his mother. Her heart sank as she listened to 135 00:08:22,680 --> 00:08:26,680 Speaker 2: her boy's screams of pain. The sharp and piercing screams 136 00:08:26,760 --> 00:08:30,800 Speaker 2: eventually turned into a low and quiet sobbing. The woman 137 00:08:30,880 --> 00:08:33,800 Speaker 2: held her boy in her arms. She could feel his 138 00:08:33,880 --> 00:08:37,400 Speaker 2: breathing begin to shorten. His eyes closed as she stroked 139 00:08:37,400 --> 00:08:42,520 Speaker 2: his hair. His mumbling became faint and his body grew limp. Then, 140 00:08:42,800 --> 00:08:47,760 Speaker 2: around noontime, in his mother's arms, the child died. She 141 00:08:47,840 --> 00:08:50,600 Speaker 2: carried his lifeless body into the upper room where Elisha 142 00:08:50,760 --> 00:08:53,640 Speaker 2: once stayed. She laid him on the bed and shut 143 00:08:53,720 --> 00:08:57,800 Speaker 2: the door. She did not cry, She did not lay 144 00:08:57,840 --> 00:09:01,400 Speaker 2: down in defeat. Instead, there was an intensity welling up 145 00:09:01,400 --> 00:09:05,680 Speaker 2: inside her. She was angry yet hopeful. She was filled 146 00:09:05,679 --> 00:09:09,880 Speaker 2: with sorrow yet determination to have answers. She went to 147 00:09:09,920 --> 00:09:13,000 Speaker 2: her husband and said, have one of the servants saddle 148 00:09:13,080 --> 00:09:16,280 Speaker 2: me a donkey. Her husband tried to protest, but she 149 00:09:16,280 --> 00:09:19,120 Speaker 2: would hear none of it. Hurry, it will be all right. 150 00:09:19,840 --> 00:09:22,120 Speaker 2: So a servant saddled up a donkey for her and 151 00:09:22,200 --> 00:09:25,920 Speaker 2: prepared himself to travel with her. We must hurry, she said, 152 00:09:26,200 --> 00:09:29,560 Speaker 2: do not slow down unless I tell you. All day 153 00:09:29,600 --> 00:09:33,400 Speaker 2: and into the night, she rode. A somber determination fueled 154 00:09:33,400 --> 00:09:36,680 Speaker 2: her as she endured the cold and hunger. Soon she 155 00:09:36,800 --> 00:09:40,160 Speaker 2: was at Mount Carmel, where Elisha was. She saw him 156 00:09:40,160 --> 00:09:44,240 Speaker 2: at a distance. Slowly she approached him. A servant interrupted 157 00:09:44,240 --> 00:09:48,840 Speaker 2: her assent and said, is everything okay? I'm fine, she replied. 158 00:09:49,320 --> 00:09:54,560 Speaker 2: She looked ahead, determined to reach Elisha. Tired, hungry and thirsty, 159 00:09:54,840 --> 00:09:57,600 Speaker 2: she came to him. She fell to the ground before 160 00:09:57,679 --> 00:10:00,800 Speaker 2: him and caught hold of his feet. Frantically, she wailed. 161 00:10:01,320 --> 00:10:05,400 Speaker 2: Elisha's servant tried to pull her away, but Elishah stopped him. 162 00:10:05,840 --> 00:10:10,080 Speaker 2: Leave her alone. He said, her heart is in great pain. However, 163 00:10:10,080 --> 00:10:13,360 Speaker 2: the Lord has not shown me why. As he said this, 164 00:10:13,760 --> 00:10:17,160 Speaker 2: the woman's eyes darted up at him. Her brows were furrowed, 165 00:10:17,160 --> 00:10:20,560 Speaker 2: and her lips clenched together. Trembling. She pointed at him 166 00:10:20,600 --> 00:10:23,440 Speaker 2: and yelled, didn't I tell you not to deceive me 167 00:10:23,480 --> 00:10:26,640 Speaker 2: and get my hopes up? Her pain overflowed out of 168 00:10:26,640 --> 00:10:30,520 Speaker 2: her voice. Elisha could feel it deeply. Did I not 169 00:10:30,679 --> 00:10:33,120 Speaker 2: tell you I was fine? I did not ask for 170 00:10:33,200 --> 00:10:38,040 Speaker 2: a son. Elisha crouched down to her. She held her 171 00:10:38,160 --> 00:10:42,400 Speaker 2: for a moment and whispered, get prepared to travel. So 172 00:10:42,520 --> 00:10:44,920 Speaker 2: the two of them returned to her home and Shunem. 173 00:10:45,320 --> 00:10:47,880 Speaker 2: Elishah opened up the door to see the child lying 174 00:10:47,920 --> 00:10:50,560 Speaker 2: on the bed he once used as his own. He 175 00:10:50,640 --> 00:10:53,360 Speaker 2: closed the door so he and the child could be alone. 176 00:10:54,240 --> 00:10:57,640 Speaker 2: The room was silent. Elisha could feel the sorrow in 177 00:10:57,679 --> 00:11:01,600 Speaker 2: the room. The boy's lifeless body broke his heart. He 178 00:11:01,640 --> 00:11:04,720 Speaker 2: fell to his knees and prayed to God. He spoke 179 00:11:04,760 --> 00:11:07,840 Speaker 2: to God earnestly, as one does to a longtime friend. 180 00:11:08,480 --> 00:11:11,400 Speaker 2: Then he laid on top of the child's body. His 181 00:11:11,480 --> 00:11:14,160 Speaker 2: eyes were aligned with the boys, and he placed his 182 00:11:14,280 --> 00:11:17,840 Speaker 2: hands on his hands. As Elishah placed his body on 183 00:11:17,880 --> 00:11:21,320 Speaker 2: the boys, he could feel warmth being restored to him. 184 00:11:21,520 --> 00:11:24,599 Speaker 2: Elishah shot up and began to pace around the room. 185 00:11:24,720 --> 00:11:27,080 Speaker 2: He was not quite sure what the Lord was doing, 186 00:11:27,440 --> 00:11:30,840 Speaker 2: but he knew a miracle was about to unfold. He 187 00:11:30,960 --> 00:11:33,640 Speaker 2: laid on top of the boy again, praying to God 188 00:11:33,720 --> 00:11:37,720 Speaker 2: to restore his life. Then the silence was broken by 189 00:11:37,760 --> 00:11:43,120 Speaker 2: a loud sneeze. The boy sneezed again, then again, and again. 190 00:11:43,760 --> 00:11:46,680 Speaker 2: Seven times the boy sneezed, and the last time he 191 00:11:46,800 --> 00:11:50,760 Speaker 2: opened up his eyes. Elishah greeted the boy gently and 192 00:11:50,880 --> 00:11:53,960 Speaker 2: summoned the mother to come back in. She approached the 193 00:11:54,000 --> 00:11:56,679 Speaker 2: door as she once did when Elisha was staying with her, 194 00:11:57,240 --> 00:12:00,120 Speaker 2: only this time, instead of being given a promise of 195 00:12:00,160 --> 00:12:04,320 Speaker 2: a child, she was given her child back again. Gratitude 196 00:12:04,360 --> 00:12:08,440 Speaker 2: filled her heart to overflow him. God had restored that 197 00:12:08,640 --> 00:12:09,400 Speaker 2: which was lost. 198 00:12:12,800 --> 00:12:16,080 Speaker 3: As we opened this passage, Elishah is continuing to go 199 00:12:16,120 --> 00:12:18,920 Speaker 3: about the Kingdom of Israel, caring for and ministering to 200 00:12:18,960 --> 00:12:22,280 Speaker 3: the people of God. He is a prophet and he 201 00:12:22,400 --> 00:12:26,120 Speaker 3: is also a pastor. A life of full time ministry 202 00:12:26,200 --> 00:12:29,760 Speaker 3: can be a tremendous blessing, but it can often be draining, 203 00:12:30,280 --> 00:12:33,480 Speaker 3: and having people who minister to you and care for 204 00:12:33,559 --> 00:12:37,200 Speaker 3: you is essential. This is what Elishah experienced in the 205 00:12:37,200 --> 00:12:40,400 Speaker 3: town of Shunam. Each time he would visit there, he 206 00:12:40,520 --> 00:12:44,360 Speaker 3: was welcomed in and fed by a wealthy woman. She 207 00:12:44,480 --> 00:12:46,240 Speaker 3: wanted to do as much as she could for the 208 00:12:46,280 --> 00:12:48,680 Speaker 3: man of God, so she and her husband built a 209 00:12:48,720 --> 00:12:52,000 Speaker 3: small room on the roof of their home just for Elisha. 210 00:12:52,679 --> 00:12:55,760 Speaker 3: Anytime he came, he had a private space with a bed, 211 00:12:55,920 --> 00:12:58,800 Speaker 3: a chair, and a table. This woman went above and 212 00:12:58,840 --> 00:13:03,720 Speaker 3: beyond in her generosity and her hospitality. What an incredible 213 00:13:03,800 --> 00:13:09,160 Speaker 3: blessing she was to Elisha. Elisha was very appreciative, of course, 214 00:13:09,480 --> 00:13:11,960 Speaker 3: and he wanted to repay the kindness of this woman 215 00:13:12,000 --> 00:13:15,120 Speaker 3: and her husband, so he inquired what she would ask 216 00:13:15,160 --> 00:13:18,440 Speaker 3: of him. She was a wealthy woman, though, so she 217 00:13:18,520 --> 00:13:21,920 Speaker 3: had no need of anything. Her generosity toward Elisha was 218 00:13:21,960 --> 00:13:26,720 Speaker 3: truly selfless and devoid of any ulterior motives. Still, Elisha 219 00:13:26,840 --> 00:13:29,440 Speaker 3: wanted to bless her, and upon finding out that she 220 00:13:29,480 --> 00:13:32,680 Speaker 3: had no children and her husband was older, he called 221 00:13:32,720 --> 00:13:35,360 Speaker 3: her to his room. As she stood in the doorway, 222 00:13:35,400 --> 00:13:38,200 Speaker 3: Elisha told her that within a year she would hold 223 00:13:38,240 --> 00:13:41,400 Speaker 3: her baby boy in her arms. It was more than 224 00:13:41,440 --> 00:13:45,800 Speaker 3: she could possibly imagine or understand. She was incredulous, but 225 00:13:46,040 --> 00:13:49,280 Speaker 3: just as Elisha had promised, God gave the woman a child. 226 00:13:50,320 --> 00:13:53,080 Speaker 3: The boy grew up to be strong, but one day 227 00:13:53,160 --> 00:13:55,320 Speaker 3: the child ran to his father in the fields with 228 00:13:55,360 --> 00:13:58,280 Speaker 3: a terrible pain in his head. He collapsed there in 229 00:13:58,320 --> 00:14:01,120 Speaker 3: the field and was rushed to his mother, who held 230 00:14:01,280 --> 00:14:05,360 Speaker 3: her precious child in her arms as he died. This 231 00:14:05,440 --> 00:14:07,720 Speaker 3: gift from God had been taken away just like that, 232 00:14:08,720 --> 00:14:11,240 Speaker 3: and once she knew exactly what to do and told 233 00:14:11,240 --> 00:14:14,000 Speaker 3: her husband to have a donkey's saddle for her. He 234 00:14:14,080 --> 00:14:16,520 Speaker 3: was doubtful, but she answered that she must go see 235 00:14:16,520 --> 00:14:20,480 Speaker 3: the man of God, Elisha. For this woman, going to 236 00:14:20,560 --> 00:14:24,240 Speaker 3: Elisha was her way of going to God himself, of 237 00:14:24,280 --> 00:14:27,240 Speaker 3: showing her trust in the faithfulness of God, the miracle 238 00:14:27,320 --> 00:14:30,960 Speaker 3: power of God. This prophet had healed and spoken in 239 00:14:31,000 --> 00:14:34,520 Speaker 3: God's name, so she knew that there was hope if 240 00:14:34,640 --> 00:14:40,520 Speaker 3: she turned to him. When loss, grief, tragedy, inexplicable, unexplainable 241 00:14:40,560 --> 00:14:43,680 Speaker 3: things come our way, we could choose to be bitter 242 00:14:43,760 --> 00:14:47,760 Speaker 3: and angry, or we can turn to God for comfort 243 00:14:48,120 --> 00:14:52,600 Speaker 3: and healing and strength. So this woman journeyed several hours 244 00:14:52,640 --> 00:14:56,160 Speaker 3: to find Elisha. So when he saw her coming, he 245 00:14:56,240 --> 00:14:59,880 Speaker 3: knew something must be wrong. When she reached Elisha, she 246 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:02,520 Speaker 3: he fell at his feet and poured out her heart. 247 00:15:02,720 --> 00:15:07,720 Speaker 3: There was so much pain, confusion, anguish, tears. This all 248 00:15:07,800 --> 00:15:10,240 Speaker 3: streamed from this woman as she told Elisha that the 249 00:15:10,320 --> 00:15:13,280 Speaker 3: son that she had not even asked for, but who 250 00:15:13,280 --> 00:15:16,280 Speaker 3: had been brought to her with such joy, was now dead. 251 00:15:17,320 --> 00:15:21,200 Speaker 3: Elisha listened as she poured out her heart. Then, after 252 00:15:21,200 --> 00:15:24,760 Speaker 3: the woman said she would not leave his side, Elisha 253 00:15:24,880 --> 00:15:27,920 Speaker 3: went with her to her home. When they arrived, he 254 00:15:28,000 --> 00:15:30,120 Speaker 3: went up to the room where the boy lay, the 255 00:15:30,240 --> 00:15:33,680 Speaker 3: very room the woman had built for Elisha. He prayed 256 00:15:33,680 --> 00:15:36,360 Speaker 3: to the Lord and then lay over the boy's lifeless body. 257 00:15:37,360 --> 00:15:41,520 Speaker 3: Warmth returned to the child's dead body, and Elishah stood 258 00:15:41,560 --> 00:15:44,440 Speaker 3: and paced the room, then lay down again. Soon the 259 00:15:44,480 --> 00:15:47,360 Speaker 3: boy sneezed as the breath of life returned to his 260 00:15:47,440 --> 00:15:51,080 Speaker 3: lungs Our God is the God of the resurrection. The 261 00:15:51,120 --> 00:15:54,760 Speaker 3: Shinnamite woman received her child back into her arms and 262 00:15:54,880 --> 00:15:57,680 Speaker 3: was comforted by the God of healing, who never leaves 263 00:15:57,760 --> 00:16:01,640 Speaker 3: us or forsakes us even in our deepest song. Today 264 00:16:01,920 --> 00:16:06,280 Speaker 3: we are comforted by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He said, 265 00:16:06,320 --> 00:16:09,640 Speaker 3: I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, 266 00:16:09,760 --> 00:16:12,720 Speaker 3: though he be dead, yet shall he live. There is 267 00:16:12,840 --> 00:16:16,120 Speaker 3: life now and forever in Jesus Christ. Trust in the 268 00:16:16,160 --> 00:16:20,680 Speaker 3: miracle of the resurrection and receive the miracle of God. 269 00:16:21,720 --> 00:16:24,280 Speaker 3: Dear God, how we thank you for this powerful story. 270 00:16:24,840 --> 00:16:27,560 Speaker 3: We know only you can bring life out of death. 271 00:16:28,160 --> 00:16:31,440 Speaker 3: Only you can revive our physical bodies, and only you 272 00:16:31,480 --> 00:16:35,560 Speaker 3: can breathe abundant life into our souls. Thank you for 273 00:16:36,000 --> 00:16:38,600 Speaker 3: your love for us, that you never leave us or 274 00:16:38,600 --> 00:16:41,320 Speaker 3: forsake us, and that you sent Jesus to come to 275 00:16:41,400 --> 00:16:44,640 Speaker 3: this earth to live a perfect life, to die on 276 00:16:44,720 --> 00:16:49,000 Speaker 3: the cross for our sins to rise again physically literally 277 00:16:49,720 --> 00:16:53,480 Speaker 3: from the grave, that we might have eternal life. And 278 00:16:53,560 --> 00:16:57,320 Speaker 3: we pray in His strong and mighty name. Amen. Thank 279 00:16:57,400 --> 00:17:00,200 Speaker 3: you for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast us. 280 00:17:00,600 --> 00:17:04,359 Speaker 3: I'm pastor Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. Let me encourage 281 00:17:04,400 --> 00:17:07,800 Speaker 3: you to download the Prey dot com app and always 282 00:17:07,840 --> 00:17:11,000 Speaker 3: make Bible reading and Bible study a priority in your life, 283 00:17:11,040 --> 00:17:14,879 Speaker 3: along with prayer. If you enjoyed this podcast, share it 284 00:17:14,880 --> 00:17:18,119 Speaker 3: with someone you love, let someone know, because by sharing 285 00:17:18,160 --> 00:17:22,119 Speaker 3: this podcast, you can truly make a difference in someone's life. 286 00:17:22,440 --> 00:17:25,520 Speaker 3: And if you want more resources from me, Jack Graham 287 00:17:25,760 --> 00:17:28,000 Speaker 3: as to how you can grow in your Christian life, 288 00:17:28,600 --> 00:17:32,680 Speaker 3: then go to Jack Graham dot org. That's Jack Graham 289 00:17:32,720 --> 00:17:34,919 Speaker 3: dot org. God bless you.