II Kings 4:1 Defender

 

elisha widow

II Kings 4:1  A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying,  “Your servant, my husband is dead, and you know your servant feared the LORD.  And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves.”   (KJV)

Widowhood.  Poverty.  Alone.  Weary.  Afraid.  Questioning.    What is a woman to do?  This widows words are haunting.  I know her. Her question–the unspoken question:  “Why am I left here to deal with these uncaring people?  People who were suppose to help me, take up for me, honor the memory of the deceased, care for those I love?”  Have compassion?   Some days you just don’t want to get out of bed.  

Notice:  He (the deceased) was a prophet and “feared the LORD.”  Now some one who thinks he is owed something, threatens to take what he has left his wife–HIS SONS!  Sons, who are now responsible for her well-being either now or in the future once they are mature and she is old.  She appeals to Elisha the prophet for help.  It is the deceased who feared the LORD and served the Lord.  His frightened widow is asking, “Did he serve the Lord for nothing?  Did his life have no meaning?   Am I to lose everything, everyone I love?  Really, God, really?

II Kings 4:2-9 is the rest of the story and is vitally important!  Read how God provides!!!!  Her obedience was all she needed for the LORD to more than meet her needs.

I too have lived this.  The LORD is my Jehovah-jireh:  the God who provides, abundantly!  The insignificant becomes more than enough in His hands.  (See My Little, His Much,   Aug 3, 2016)   Yes, widowhood is scary.  It is lonely.  It is hard.  But nine years into this despicable state, I look back and see His hand of provision despite the “creditors.”  God has honored His faithful servant, the officer and gentleman, in ways that continue to amaze me.   My dad too was a man who “feared the LORD” and I could tell you stories of how the Lord honored him and cared for my mom and her brood of four teenagers after his death.    Even in death,  does it even matter who is against us “ if God is for us?”  (Romans 8:31)   NOT AT ALL!
Eucharisteo!

 

Defender (Call Upon the Name of the Lord) by Travis Doucette

This entry was posted in Object Lesson, Uncategorized, Yvonne Jones on by .

About Yvonne Jones

I am at heart, a LIFEguard: "big" sister, mama, grandmother, aunt, friend, swimming coach, lifeguard trainer, and registered nurse. I am in the business of alleviating fear through education and lots of hand holding. As a swimming instructor, I have taught people of all ages to overcome fear of the water and I marvel as fear gives way to fearlessness, as panic turns to pure joy, as tears dissolve into giggles of glee, and pennies retrieved from the bottom of the abyss become trophies. As a nurse, I have been privileged to walk up to Heaven's gate as patients and family are welcomed home, witnessed the miracle of birth, helped mend broken hearts, and cared for the elderly as they wait. Scriptures number one admonition is "fear not." Question is HOW??? The Word becomes our swimming instructor and can help us learn to "tread water til Jesus comes." Something my students often thought I was going to make them do! So welcome to my pool! Jump in the cool water. Let it refresh your soul and feel the unseen hands of the Master Lifeguard lift you up and out of the deep water. Who knows, you just might even walk on water!

One thought on “II Kings 4:1 Defender

  1. Beth Brown

    Your faith has touched countless lives.
    Your faith and strength help me ride through my storm. You also taught me about God’s provision. Bless you for your faithfulness to share God’s word and His love.

    Reply

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