1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:04,600 Speaker 1: Let us pray. Then he returned and walked in the 2 00:00:04,640 --> 00:00:07,920 Speaker 1: house to and fro, and went up and stretched himself 3 00:00:08,000 --> 00:00:12,440 Speaker 1: upon him, and the child sneezed seven times, and the 4 00:00:12,560 --> 00:00:18,800 Speaker 1: child opened his eyes Second Kings four thirty five. There 5 00:00:18,800 --> 00:00:21,919 Speaker 1: are many things that I can call you, Lord, but 6 00:00:22,040 --> 00:00:24,840 Speaker 1: to day I want to acknowledge that you are the 7 00:00:24,920 --> 00:00:30,960 Speaker 1: God that brings life into seemingly dead things. Through Second 8 00:00:31,040 --> 00:00:34,559 Speaker 1: Kings four, I now realize that the same power that 9 00:00:34,720 --> 00:00:40,080 Speaker 1: ran through Elisha runs through me. Then, like him, I 10 00:00:40,280 --> 00:00:45,000 Speaker 1: choose to be a blessing wherever I go through my obedience, 11 00:00:45,880 --> 00:00:51,480 Speaker 1: create safe places for rest and rejuvenation. Give me uncommon 12 00:00:51,479 --> 00:00:54,720 Speaker 1: favor with others so that all my needs will be met. 13 00:00:54,960 --> 00:01:00,120 Speaker 1: As I walk in my purpose, when opportunities arise for 14 00:01:00,160 --> 00:01:03,880 Speaker 1: me to serve others, help me to be a dream 15 00:01:04,080 --> 00:01:07,440 Speaker 1: conduit for others so that they will be able to 16 00:01:07,480 --> 00:01:12,360 Speaker 1: experience your goodness in their lives. I choose to accept 17 00:01:12,360 --> 00:01:15,520 Speaker 1: the anointing that is needed to be a resource to 18 00:01:15,560 --> 00:01:19,760 Speaker 1: others and to be able to throw myself onto their 19 00:01:19,800 --> 00:01:25,120 Speaker 1: situation and watch you bring them to life. Thank you, Lord, 20 00:01:25,800 --> 00:01:30,560 Speaker 1: that I am a change agent through Christ Jesus. In 21 00:01:30,720 --> 00:01:37,039 Speaker 1: Jesus name, Amen, Thank you for praying with us today. 22 00:01:37,680 --> 00:01:41,240 Speaker 1: Continue your time with God by listening to today's Bible 23 00:01:41,280 --> 00:01:56,720 Speaker 1: story brought to you by Bible in a Year dot com. 24 00:01:56,720 --> 00:02:01,680 Speaker 1: God promises a child and last story, we witnessed the 25 00:02:01,760 --> 00:02:05,400 Speaker 1: everyday miracles of Elishah. He tended to the flock of 26 00:02:05,440 --> 00:02:09,480 Speaker 1: God with care and love. Elisha's reputation as a loving 27 00:02:09,480 --> 00:02:13,000 Speaker 1: and gentle prophet gave the common people of Israel hope. 28 00:02:13,560 --> 00:02:17,560 Speaker 1: Now we see yet another example of God's faithfulness through Elishah. 29 00:02:18,040 --> 00:02:20,839 Speaker 1: A rich woman is given a promise, all to see 30 00:02:20,840 --> 00:02:23,919 Speaker 1: it taken away from her. In the grief and sorrow, 31 00:02:24,080 --> 00:02:27,760 Speaker 1: God meets her and restores her to a place of gratitude. 32 00:02:28,240 --> 00:02:34,640 Speaker 1: Inspired by the Book of Second Kings, Hello, I'm pastor 33 00:02:34,720 --> 00:02:37,240 Speaker 1: Jack Graham with today's episode of the Bible in a 34 00:02:37,320 --> 00:02:41,120 Speaker 1: Year podcast. In the last episode, we heard about four 35 00:02:41,160 --> 00:02:46,480 Speaker 1: miracles God performed through the prophet Elishah. Through these amazing signs, 36 00:02:46,520 --> 00:02:48,840 Speaker 1: God was showing the people of Israel that He could 37 00:02:48,840 --> 00:02:52,560 Speaker 1: provide for their needs, cleanse what was corrupted, and restore 38 00:02:52,880 --> 00:02:56,359 Speaker 1: what is lost. And as he traveled throughout the nation, 39 00:02:56,440 --> 00:03:01,440 Speaker 1: Elishah was a prophet and a pastor, comonstrating God's caring 40 00:03:01,520 --> 00:03:05,120 Speaker 1: heart for his people. Today will witness how a wealthy 41 00:03:05,160 --> 00:03:08,919 Speaker 1: woman extended kindness and care to Elisha. And we'll see 42 00:03:08,919 --> 00:03:12,320 Speaker 1: another example of God's power and promises as the woman 43 00:03:12,440 --> 00:03:15,960 Speaker 1: is given the sons she's so desired, But her happiness 44 00:03:16,000 --> 00:03:19,000 Speaker 1: will be short lived and grief will be visited upon her. 45 00:03:20,320 --> 00:03:22,600 Speaker 1: But God will come through even in the sadness and 46 00:03:22,680 --> 00:03:26,839 Speaker 1: sorrow with kindness and care and healing for the woman less. 47 00:03:26,919 --> 00:03:32,360 Speaker 1: Listen to this important story today. Elijah's reputation as a 48 00:03:32,360 --> 00:03:35,880 Speaker 1: man of God preceded him wherever he went. In each 49 00:03:35,920 --> 00:03:38,680 Speaker 1: and every city, there were more needs to be met 50 00:03:38,720 --> 00:03:42,680 Speaker 1: and people to be cared for. Elishah's young and vibrant 51 00:03:42,800 --> 00:03:46,000 Speaker 1: energy was beginning to become slightly more dim with age, 52 00:03:46,520 --> 00:03:49,000 Speaker 1: yet his desire to serve and protect the people of 53 00:03:49,040 --> 00:03:52,280 Speaker 1: God was as strong as ever. One day, Elishah was 54 00:03:52,320 --> 00:03:55,920 Speaker 1: walking into the town of Shunnam. Whispers and mumbles of 55 00:03:55,920 --> 00:03:59,000 Speaker 1: his arrival filled the town's streets, and people came to 56 00:03:59,080 --> 00:04:03,320 Speaker 1: him with many needs and many requests. Elisha worked all 57 00:04:03,400 --> 00:04:06,920 Speaker 1: day tending to the people. He loved them dearly, but 58 00:04:07,000 --> 00:04:10,840 Speaker 1: they tended to take more than they gave. God strengthened 59 00:04:10,840 --> 00:04:14,760 Speaker 1: Elishah's heart, yet his body was weary. A wealthy woman 60 00:04:14,800 --> 00:04:18,159 Speaker 1: lived in the town and heard of Elisha's arrival. She 61 00:04:18,240 --> 00:04:20,599 Speaker 1: sent word for him to join her and her family 62 00:04:20,680 --> 00:04:24,800 Speaker 1: for a meal. They laughed, cried, and enjoyed one another's company. 63 00:04:25,279 --> 00:04:28,800 Speaker 1: Elishah felt welcomed and loved by the whole family. They 64 00:04:28,839 --> 00:04:33,160 Speaker 1: were a sweet comfort to his weary spirit. Elishah continued 65 00:04:33,200 --> 00:04:35,960 Speaker 1: to work in the town of Shuannam. Day by day 66 00:04:36,000 --> 00:04:39,120 Speaker 1: he would minister to the needy and broken. From time 67 00:04:39,120 --> 00:04:41,760 Speaker 1: to time, Elishah would stop by the woman's home again 68 00:04:41,800 --> 00:04:44,520 Speaker 1: and have a meal with her family. Soon he became 69 00:04:44,640 --> 00:04:47,839 Speaker 1: very precious to her, her husband, and the servants in 70 00:04:47,960 --> 00:04:51,520 Speaker 1: her household. Soon the woman came to her husband and said, 71 00:04:51,920 --> 00:04:55,080 Speaker 1: Elishah is truly a man of God. Let us build 72 00:04:55,120 --> 00:04:57,480 Speaker 1: a small room for him on the roof. We can 73 00:04:57,520 --> 00:05:00,400 Speaker 1: put in a bed, a chair, a table, and a 74 00:05:00,480 --> 00:05:03,360 Speaker 1: lamp for him to feel at home. This way he 75 00:05:03,400 --> 00:05:05,880 Speaker 1: has a place to remain when he comes into town. 76 00:05:06,440 --> 00:05:08,960 Speaker 1: So her and her husband built the man of God 77 00:05:09,000 --> 00:05:12,320 Speaker 1: a room. They fed him, laughed with him, and gave 78 00:05:12,360 --> 00:05:16,160 Speaker 1: him a roof for his head. One day Elisha returned 79 00:05:16,240 --> 00:05:20,520 Speaker 1: to Shunnam. He spent the day's sacrificing of his time, energy, 80 00:05:20,600 --> 00:05:23,560 Speaker 1: and wisdom in order to restore the people to God. 81 00:05:24,360 --> 00:05:29,240 Speaker 1: He was truly satisfied and truly tired. He was thankful 82 00:05:29,279 --> 00:05:31,480 Speaker 1: that he had a place to stay and wanted to 83 00:05:31,480 --> 00:05:34,080 Speaker 1: bless the family who had been so hospitable to him. 84 00:05:34,880 --> 00:05:38,760 Speaker 1: His servant, Gahazi, was beside him. What shall we do 85 00:05:38,880 --> 00:05:42,200 Speaker 1: in order to bless her? He asked, go and ask 86 00:05:42,240 --> 00:05:45,599 Speaker 1: her what it is she desires. He said, so, Ghazi 87 00:05:45,680 --> 00:05:48,080 Speaker 1: went to the woman and inquired of what she had 88 00:05:48,160 --> 00:05:52,240 Speaker 1: need of. The woman smiled at the question. However, her 89 00:05:52,279 --> 00:05:54,719 Speaker 1: husband had been very good to her over the years, 90 00:05:54,960 --> 00:05:59,359 Speaker 1: and her family was very wealthy. She had need of nothing. However, 91 00:05:59,440 --> 00:06:03,120 Speaker 1: Gahazi had noticed the woman had no children. Her husband 92 00:06:03,160 --> 00:06:05,840 Speaker 1: was advanced in years and was most likely not long 93 00:06:05,920 --> 00:06:09,440 Speaker 1: for this world. Perhaps she desired children but could not 94 00:06:09,520 --> 00:06:13,440 Speaker 1: have any. Gahazi returned to Elishah and said, she said 95 00:06:13,480 --> 00:06:17,320 Speaker 1: she has need of nothing. But Gahazi paused, wondering if 96 00:06:17,320 --> 00:06:22,200 Speaker 1: he should continue. But what Elishah asked, what does she need? Well, 97 00:06:22,600 --> 00:06:25,760 Speaker 1: she does not have a son, and her husband is old. 98 00:06:26,279 --> 00:06:28,760 Speaker 1: Perhaps a son would give her a sense of security 99 00:06:28,800 --> 00:06:33,040 Speaker 1: and fulfillment. He said, Elisha smiled and sent for the 100 00:06:33,080 --> 00:06:35,760 Speaker 1: woman to come to him. The woman came to the 101 00:06:35,839 --> 00:06:38,960 Speaker 1: room and stood at the doorway. Elisha sat up in 102 00:06:39,000 --> 00:06:41,159 Speaker 1: his chair and stared at the woman for a while. 103 00:06:42,040 --> 00:06:44,599 Speaker 1: She was a kind soul, and the Lord desired to 104 00:06:44,680 --> 00:06:48,960 Speaker 1: bless her. Elisha gave a large grin. At this time 105 00:06:49,000 --> 00:06:51,159 Speaker 1: next year, you will have a son in your arms, 106 00:06:51,560 --> 00:06:54,680 Speaker 1: he said, with a nod. The woman paused for a moment, 107 00:06:54,760 --> 00:06:58,080 Speaker 1: trying to process the words Elishah had just spoken. She 108 00:06:58,160 --> 00:07:01,479 Speaker 1: had given up on having children long ago. Instead of 109 00:07:01,520 --> 00:07:04,359 Speaker 1: a face of gladness, she looked as though she was angry. 110 00:07:05,080 --> 00:07:07,800 Speaker 1: Tears began to stream down the woman's face. Do not 111 00:07:07,920 --> 00:07:11,000 Speaker 1: deceive me, Man of God, she cried, Do not get 112 00:07:11,040 --> 00:07:14,000 Speaker 1: my hopes up. I cannot bear it. The distress in 113 00:07:14,040 --> 00:07:17,200 Speaker 1: her voice was palpable. Elishah could sense that there had 114 00:07:17,240 --> 00:07:20,960 Speaker 1: been years of heartache behind this subject. He reassured her 115 00:07:21,000 --> 00:07:24,120 Speaker 1: of the promise and then left the next day back home. 116 00:07:25,080 --> 00:07:27,880 Speaker 1: Sure enough, a year had passed and the woman had 117 00:07:27,920 --> 00:07:31,360 Speaker 1: a child. The boy grew to be strong and independent. 118 00:07:31,960 --> 00:07:35,040 Speaker 1: He filled her mother and father with much joy. The 119 00:07:35,120 --> 00:07:37,800 Speaker 1: woman had completely given up on the hope of a child, 120 00:07:38,240 --> 00:07:42,160 Speaker 1: but here He was her miracle, her blessing from God. 121 00:07:42,920 --> 00:07:45,360 Speaker 1: She watched as he skipped in the field with his father, 122 00:07:45,920 --> 00:07:48,960 Speaker 1: he loved to help him work with the harvesters. She 123 00:07:49,080 --> 00:07:51,840 Speaker 1: watched as the young boy danced with the innocent joy 124 00:07:51,960 --> 00:07:55,960 Speaker 1: only a child possesses. Her heart swelled at the sight 125 00:07:56,000 --> 00:07:59,559 Speaker 1: of him. She watched as his joyous run turned into 126 00:07:59,560 --> 00:08:03,160 Speaker 1: a jaw Then he slowed down to a halt, his 127 00:08:03,240 --> 00:08:05,840 Speaker 1: hand placed firmly on his head. The boy fell to 128 00:08:05,920 --> 00:08:08,760 Speaker 1: his knees, clasping his head as though someone had just 129 00:08:08,800 --> 00:08:12,120 Speaker 1: struck him. His father turned and ran to him. My 130 00:08:12,240 --> 00:08:16,119 Speaker 1: head hurts, the boy screamed, my head hurts. He cried 131 00:08:16,160 --> 00:08:18,960 Speaker 1: even louder. One of the servants picked him up and 132 00:08:19,040 --> 00:08:21,920 Speaker 1: ran him to his mother. Her heart sank as she 133 00:08:22,000 --> 00:08:25,600 Speaker 1: listened to a boy's screams of pain. The sharp and 134 00:08:25,680 --> 00:08:29,800 Speaker 1: piercing screams eventually turned into a low and quiet sobbing. 135 00:08:30,320 --> 00:08:33,320 Speaker 1: The woman held her boy in her arms. She could 136 00:08:33,400 --> 00:08:36,800 Speaker 1: feel his breathing begin to shorten. His eyes closed as 137 00:08:36,800 --> 00:08:40,480 Speaker 1: she stroked his hair. His mumbling became faint and his 138 00:08:40,600 --> 00:08:44,760 Speaker 1: body grew limp. Then, around noontime, in his mother's arms, 139 00:08:45,440 --> 00:08:49,360 Speaker 1: the child died. She carried his lifeless body into the 140 00:08:49,440 --> 00:08:52,800 Speaker 1: upper room where Elisha once stayed. She laid him on 141 00:08:52,840 --> 00:08:56,000 Speaker 1: the bed and shut the door. She did not cry, 142 00:08:56,920 --> 00:09:00,160 Speaker 1: she did not lay down in defeat. Instead, there was 143 00:09:00,160 --> 00:09:04,400 Speaker 1: an intensity welling up inside her. She was angry yet hopeful. 144 00:09:04,960 --> 00:09:09,280 Speaker 1: She was filled with sorrow yet determination to have answers. 145 00:09:09,320 --> 00:09:11,800 Speaker 1: She went to her husband and said, have one of 146 00:09:11,840 --> 00:09:15,760 Speaker 1: the servants saddle me a donkey. Her husband tried to protest, 147 00:09:16,000 --> 00:09:18,559 Speaker 1: but she would hear none of it. Hurry, it will 148 00:09:18,600 --> 00:09:21,600 Speaker 1: be all right. So a servant saddled up a donkey 149 00:09:21,640 --> 00:09:24,760 Speaker 1: for her and prepared himself to travel with her. We 150 00:09:24,840 --> 00:09:27,520 Speaker 1: must hurry, she said, do not slow down unless I 151 00:09:27,559 --> 00:09:30,880 Speaker 1: tell you. All day and into the night, she rode 152 00:09:31,280 --> 00:09:34,920 Speaker 1: a somber determination fueled her as she endured the cold 153 00:09:35,000 --> 00:09:38,880 Speaker 1: and hunger. Soon she was at Mount Carmel, where Elisha was. 154 00:09:39,480 --> 00:09:42,760 Speaker 1: She saw him at a distance. Slowly she approached him. 155 00:09:43,000 --> 00:09:46,480 Speaker 1: A servant interrupted her assent and said, is everything okay? 156 00:09:47,280 --> 00:09:53,000 Speaker 1: I'm fine, she replied. She looked ahead, determined to reach Elisha. Tired, 157 00:09:53,400 --> 00:09:56,760 Speaker 1: hungry and thirsty, she came to him. She fell to 158 00:09:56,800 --> 00:09:59,840 Speaker 1: the ground before him and caught hold of his feet. Frantic, 159 00:10:00,160 --> 00:10:04,120 Speaker 1: she wailed Alisha's servant tried to pull her away, but 160 00:10:04,240 --> 00:10:08,199 Speaker 1: Elishah stopped him. Leave her alone. He said, her heart 161 00:10:08,280 --> 00:10:11,080 Speaker 1: is in great pain. However, the Lord has not shown 162 00:10:11,120 --> 00:10:14,960 Speaker 1: me why. As he said this, the woman's eyes darted 163 00:10:15,040 --> 00:10:17,640 Speaker 1: up at him. Her brows were furrowed and her lips 164 00:10:17,720 --> 00:10:21,720 Speaker 1: clenched together. Trembling. She pointed at him and yelled, didn't 165 00:10:21,760 --> 00:10:23,920 Speaker 1: I tell you not to deceive me and get my 166 00:10:23,960 --> 00:10:28,359 Speaker 1: hopes up? Her pain overflowed out of her voice. Alishah 167 00:10:28,360 --> 00:10:31,200 Speaker 1: could feel it deeply. Did I not tell you I 168 00:10:31,320 --> 00:10:35,520 Speaker 1: was fine? I did not ask for a son. Alishah 169 00:10:35,600 --> 00:10:38,840 Speaker 1: crouched down to her. She held her for a moment 170 00:10:38,920 --> 00:10:42,920 Speaker 1: and whispered get prepared to travel. So the two of 171 00:10:42,920 --> 00:10:46,160 Speaker 1: them returned to her home and shun him. Alishah opened 172 00:10:46,240 --> 00:10:48,040 Speaker 1: up the door to see the child laying on the 173 00:10:48,080 --> 00:10:51,160 Speaker 1: bed he once used as his own. He closed the 174 00:10:51,240 --> 00:10:54,280 Speaker 1: door so he and the child could be alone. The 175 00:10:54,400 --> 00:10:58,000 Speaker 1: room was silent. Alishah could feel the sorrow in the room. 176 00:10:58,440 --> 00:11:02,000 Speaker 1: The boy's lifeless body broke his heart. He fell to 177 00:11:02,080 --> 00:11:05,679 Speaker 1: his knees and prayed to God. He spoke to God earnestly, 178 00:11:05,920 --> 00:11:08,800 Speaker 1: as one does to a long time friend. Then he 179 00:11:08,920 --> 00:11:11,959 Speaker 1: laid on top of the child's body. His eyes were 180 00:11:11,960 --> 00:11:14,760 Speaker 1: aligned with the boys, and he placed his hands on 181 00:11:14,960 --> 00:11:18,320 Speaker 1: his hands. As Elisha placed his body on the boys, 182 00:11:18,480 --> 00:11:22,360 Speaker 1: he could feel warmth being restored to him. Elishah shot 183 00:11:22,440 --> 00:11:24,960 Speaker 1: up and began to pace around the room. He was 184 00:11:25,000 --> 00:11:27,800 Speaker 1: not quite sure what the Lord was doing, but he 185 00:11:27,880 --> 00:11:31,280 Speaker 1: knew a miracle was about to unfold. He laid on 186 00:11:31,320 --> 00:11:34,280 Speaker 1: top of the boy again, praying to God to restore 187 00:11:34,400 --> 00:11:39,160 Speaker 1: his life. Then the silence was broken by a loud sneeze. 188 00:11:40,320 --> 00:11:44,400 Speaker 1: The boy sneezed again, then again, and again. Seven times. 189 00:11:44,440 --> 00:11:47,320 Speaker 1: The boy sneezed, and the last time he opened up 190 00:11:47,320 --> 00:11:51,400 Speaker 1: his eyes. Elishah greeted the boy gently and summoned the 191 00:11:51,440 --> 00:11:54,439 Speaker 1: mother to come back in. She approached the door as 192 00:11:54,440 --> 00:11:57,480 Speaker 1: she once did when Elisha was staying with her, only 193 00:11:57,520 --> 00:12:00,559 Speaker 1: this time, instead of being given a promise of a child, 194 00:12:01,040 --> 00:12:04,800 Speaker 1: she was given her child back again. Gratitude filled her 195 00:12:04,840 --> 00:12:09,400 Speaker 1: heart to overflowing. God had restored that which was lost. 196 00:12:12,760 --> 00:12:16,000 Speaker 1: As we opened this passage, Elishah is continuing to go 197 00:12:16,080 --> 00:12:18,880 Speaker 1: about the Kingdom of Israel, caring for and ministering to 198 00:12:18,960 --> 00:12:22,280 Speaker 1: the people of God. He is a prophet, and he 199 00:12:22,400 --> 00:12:26,079 Speaker 1: is also a pastor. A life of full time ministry 200 00:12:26,160 --> 00:12:29,760 Speaker 1: can be a tremendous blessing, but it can often be draining, 201 00:12:30,200 --> 00:12:33,440 Speaker 1: and having people who minister to you and care for 202 00:12:33,520 --> 00:12:37,160 Speaker 1: you is essential. This is what Elishah experienced in the 203 00:12:37,200 --> 00:12:40,400 Speaker 1: town of Schunem. Each time he would visit there, he 204 00:12:40,480 --> 00:12:44,320 Speaker 1: was welcomed in and fed by a wealthy woman. She 205 00:12:44,400 --> 00:12:46,200 Speaker 1: wanted to do as much as she could for the 206 00:12:46,240 --> 00:12:48,640 Speaker 1: man of God, so she and her husband built a 207 00:12:48,720 --> 00:12:52,120 Speaker 1: small room on the roof of their home just for Elishah. 208 00:12:52,640 --> 00:12:55,600 Speaker 1: Anytime he came, he had a private space with a bed, 209 00:12:55,880 --> 00:12:58,760 Speaker 1: a chair, and a table. This woman went above and 210 00:12:58,840 --> 00:13:03,760 Speaker 1: beyond in her generosity and her hospitality. What an incredible 211 00:13:03,760 --> 00:13:09,160 Speaker 1: blessing she was to Elisha. Elishah was very appreciative, of course, 212 00:13:09,440 --> 00:13:11,920 Speaker 1: and he wanted to repay the kindness of this woman 213 00:13:11,960 --> 00:13:15,120 Speaker 1: and her husband, so he inquired why she would ask 214 00:13:15,120 --> 00:13:18,400 Speaker 1: of him. She was a wealthy woman, though, so she 215 00:13:18,480 --> 00:13:21,880 Speaker 1: had no need of anything. Her generosity towards Elishah was 216 00:13:21,920 --> 00:13:26,760 Speaker 1: truly selfless and devoid of any ulterior motives. Still, Elishah 217 00:13:26,800 --> 00:13:29,400 Speaker 1: wanted to bless her, and upon finding out that she 218 00:13:29,440 --> 00:13:32,679 Speaker 1: had no children and her husband was older, he called 219 00:13:32,679 --> 00:13:35,319 Speaker 1: her to his room. As she stood in the doorway, 220 00:13:35,360 --> 00:13:38,200 Speaker 1: Elishah told her that within a year she would hold 221 00:13:38,200 --> 00:13:41,320 Speaker 1: her baby boy in her arms. It was more than 222 00:13:41,400 --> 00:13:45,720 Speaker 1: she could possibly imagine or understand. She was incredulous, but 223 00:13:45,880 --> 00:13:48,839 Speaker 1: just as Elishah had promised, God gave the woman a child. 224 00:13:50,240 --> 00:13:52,959 Speaker 1: The boy grew up to be strong, but one day 225 00:13:53,120 --> 00:13:55,240 Speaker 1: the child ran to his father in the fields with 226 00:13:55,280 --> 00:13:58,240 Speaker 1: a terrible pain in his head. He collapsed there in 227 00:13:58,280 --> 00:14:01,080 Speaker 1: the field and was rushed to his mother, who held 228 00:14:01,200 --> 00:14:05,400 Speaker 1: her precious child in her arms as he died. This 229 00:14:05,440 --> 00:14:07,840 Speaker 1: gift from God had been taken away, just like that. 230 00:14:08,640 --> 00:14:11,200 Speaker 1: At once, she knew exactly what to do and told 231 00:14:11,200 --> 00:14:13,959 Speaker 1: her husband to have a donkey saddle for her. He 232 00:14:14,040 --> 00:14:16,440 Speaker 1: was doubtful, but she answered that she must go see 233 00:14:16,480 --> 00:14:20,440 Speaker 1: the man of God, Elishah. For this woman, going to 234 00:14:20,520 --> 00:14:24,160 Speaker 1: Elishah was her way of going to God himself, of 235 00:14:24,240 --> 00:14:27,240 Speaker 1: showing her trust in the faithfulness of God, the miracle 236 00:14:27,280 --> 00:14:30,920 Speaker 1: power of God. This prophet had healed and spoken in 237 00:14:31,000 --> 00:14:34,520 Speaker 1: God's name, so she knew that there was hope if 238 00:14:34,600 --> 00:14:40,480 Speaker 1: she turned to him. When loss, grief, tragedy, inexplicable, unexplainable 239 00:14:40,520 --> 00:14:43,680 Speaker 1: things come our way, we could choose to be bitter 240 00:14:43,720 --> 00:14:47,720 Speaker 1: and angry, or we can turn to God for comfort 241 00:14:48,040 --> 00:14:52,560 Speaker 1: and healing and strength. So this woman journeyed several hours 242 00:14:52,600 --> 00:14:56,120 Speaker 1: to find Elishah. So when he saw her coming, he 243 00:14:56,240 --> 00:15:00,240 Speaker 1: knew something must be wrong. When she reached, Elishah fell 244 00:15:00,240 --> 00:15:03,000 Speaker 1: at his feet and poured out her heart. There was 245 00:15:03,040 --> 00:15:08,280 Speaker 1: so much pain, confusion, anguish, tears. This all streamed from 246 00:15:08,320 --> 00:15:11,080 Speaker 1: this woman as she told Elishah that the son that 247 00:15:11,200 --> 00:15:13,600 Speaker 1: she had not even asked for, but who had been 248 00:15:13,600 --> 00:15:17,720 Speaker 1: brought to her with such joy, was now dead. Elisha 249 00:15:17,920 --> 00:15:21,280 Speaker 1: listened as she poured out her heart. Then, after the 250 00:15:21,320 --> 00:15:25,040 Speaker 1: woman said she would not leave his side, Elishah went 251 00:15:25,120 --> 00:15:28,120 Speaker 1: with her to her home. When they arrived, he went 252 00:15:28,200 --> 00:15:30,360 Speaker 1: up to the room where the boy lay, the very 253 00:15:30,440 --> 00:15:33,720 Speaker 1: room the woman had built for Elisha. He prayed to 254 00:15:33,760 --> 00:15:36,320 Speaker 1: the Lord and then lay over the boy's lifeless body. 255 00:15:37,280 --> 00:15:41,440 Speaker 1: Warmth returned to the child's dead body, and Elishah stood 256 00:15:41,520 --> 00:15:44,440 Speaker 1: and paced the room, then lay down again. Soon the 257 00:15:44,480 --> 00:15:47,320 Speaker 1: boy sneezed as the breath of life returned to his 258 00:15:47,440 --> 00:15:51,080 Speaker 1: lungs Our God is the God of the resurrection. The 259 00:15:51,080 --> 00:15:54,720 Speaker 1: Shinnamite woman received her child back into her arms and 260 00:15:54,840 --> 00:15:57,640 Speaker 1: was comforted by the God of healing, who never leaves 261 00:15:57,720 --> 00:16:01,560 Speaker 1: us or forsakes us, even in our deepest So today 262 00:16:01,880 --> 00:16:06,240 Speaker 1: we are comforted by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He said, 263 00:16:06,280 --> 00:16:09,640 Speaker 1: I am the Resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, 264 00:16:09,720 --> 00:16:12,720 Speaker 1: though he be dead, yet shall he live. There is 265 00:16:12,800 --> 00:16:16,080 Speaker 1: life now and forever in Jesus Christ. Trust in the 266 00:16:16,080 --> 00:16:20,280 Speaker 1: miracle of the Resurrection and receive the miracle of God. 267 00:16:21,680 --> 00:16:24,200 Speaker 1: Dear God, how we thank you for this powerful story. 268 00:16:24,800 --> 00:16:27,480 Speaker 1: We know only you can bring life out of death. 269 00:16:28,080 --> 00:16:31,400 Speaker 1: Only you can revive our physical bodies, and only you 270 00:16:31,440 --> 00:16:35,720 Speaker 1: can breathe abundant life into our souls. Thank you for 271 00:16:36,000 --> 00:16:38,560 Speaker 1: your love for us, that you never leave us or 272 00:16:38,600 --> 00:16:41,280 Speaker 1: forsake us, and that you sent Jesus to come to 273 00:16:41,360 --> 00:16:44,600 Speaker 1: this earth to live a perfect life, to die on 274 00:16:44,680 --> 00:16:48,960 Speaker 1: the cross for our sins to rise again physically literally 275 00:16:49,680 --> 00:16:53,480 Speaker 1: from the grave, that we might have eternal life. And 276 00:16:53,520 --> 00:16:57,360 Speaker 1: we pray in His strong and mighty name. Amen. Thank 277 00:16:57,360 --> 00:16:59,920 Speaker 1: you for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast. 278 00:17:00,560 --> 00:17:04,320 Speaker 1: I'm Pastor Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. Let me encourage 279 00:17:04,359 --> 00:17:07,760 Speaker 1: you to download the Prey dot Com app and always 280 00:17:07,800 --> 00:17:10,600 Speaker 1: make Bible reading and Bible study a priority in your 281 00:17:10,640 --> 00:17:14,680 Speaker 1: life along with prayer. If you enjoyed this podcast, share 282 00:17:14,720 --> 00:17:17,680 Speaker 1: it with someone you love. Let someone know because by 283 00:17:17,720 --> 00:17:20,600 Speaker 1: sharing this podcast you can truly make a difference in 284 00:17:20,720 --> 00:17:24,520 Speaker 1: someone's life. And if you want more resources from me, 285 00:17:24,720 --> 00:17:27,080 Speaker 1: Jack Graham as to how you can grow in your 286 00:17:27,160 --> 00:17:31,480 Speaker 1: Christian life, then go to Jack Graham dot org. That's 287 00:17:31,560 --> 00:17:40,520 Speaker 1: Jack Graham dot org. God bless you. This episode is 288 00:17:40,560 --> 00:17:44,919 Speaker 1: sponsored by Mediciae, an innovative healthcare solution for Christians to 289 00:17:45,040 --> 00:17:47,560 Speaker 1: save money without sacrificing quality.