Grab His Feet!

​She was a wealthy woman of the best kind— thoughtful and generous.  She noticed a man of God in need and she fed him.  As he often frequented her town, she talked her husband into building a home addition so the man would have his own room furnished to meet his needs. Grateful for her kindness, the godly man asked her what he could do for her.  She declined his offer.  So he asked his helper what could be done for her.  He noticed that her husband was old and she had no children.  So he called her to his room and as she stood in the doorway told her she would have a son the following spring.   She asked him not to lie to her, but sure enough she gave birth to a boy.  Years later the woman’s son became ill and died.  His mother immediately traveled to Mount Carmel where she found Elisha, fell on the ground and grabbed his feet.

Meditation
2 Kings 4:28—Then she said, “Did I ask my lord for a son? Didn’t I say, ‘Do not deceive me?’”
 
A Shunammite woman held God to account for His action.  She recognized the Lord blessed her with a son she never requested.  His death then became a grave affront—for God is not cruel and His reputation was at stake—at least in her mind.   In laying the responsibility for her son’s life at Elisha’s feet she in truth grabbed God’s feet.   Elisha had nothing to do with his illness and death but as God’s representative, he had everything to do with his birth and life.  I suspect her son’s demise rendered God unjust before this righteous woman.   His gift came into question.  I imagine she was bitter in mind but better in heart—rather than accept bereavement and grieve she trusted that the same man who brought her unexpected joy could make things right.  And he did. 

Elisha stretched his body over her son’s still form.  God restored his life honoring her faith.  This (2 Kings 4) is the story of a determined woman who pressed ahead until a holy God did what she knew to be right.  In the process she honored God by her understanding and moxie.   
​
What we know of God determines what we do before Him.   Sometimes the best way to honor Him is to challenge from His hand what is incongruent with His word.   So long as His glory is upheld our story is not finished.  Do you struggle with God?  Do you wonder why you lost what He gave you, or endure an ordeal that started with promise?  Tell Him! Unload your grief and grab His feet. If the gift was from Him without your seeking it and tragedy ensues, plead for His restoration.  He will either honor your persistent faith or give you eyes to see His deeper purpose for His higher glory.
 
Inspiration
Never forget that the Almighty is a great deal bigger than our experience of Him.—Oswald Chambers in God’s Workmanship
 
©2011 Daniel York  ARR. Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)