All Is Well
“Are you alright? Is your husband alright?
Is your child alright?” “It is well”, she said
(2 Kings 4:26).
It seems that this well-to-do woman lived with her husband in a large city. One day she attended a service where Elisha, a traveling evangelist, was preaching. After the service, she invited him and his assistant to have dinner with her and her husband in their home. The evening preceded nicely and a warm friendship was formed. So much so that the couple issued an open invitation to dine with them on future visits to the city.
One day, after a number of such visits, the woman approached her husband with an idea. “How about remodeling the attic into a room where the evangelist can lodge whenever he comes to call?” she suggested. Her husband was favorable so plans were drawn up and construction completed on a guest room.
One day, during a visit, Elisha approached his hostess with a remarkable announcement: “This time next year you will hold a son in your arms.” “Oh no, sir,” she objected. “Please do not raise my hopes for nothing.” But within a few months his prediction came true. Even though her husband was past the age of fertility she was indeed pregnant. And within the year, she gave birth to a son.
The child grew and all went well for the next several years. Then one morning the boy suddenly became violently ill. By noon he had died in his mother’s arms. It was then the woman’s actions became what could be described as bizarre.
She did not dissolve into convulsive tears nor did she call out for help as one might expect. Instead she carried the lifeless form of her child – her miracle son – and placed him on Elisha’s bed. Then she called her husband and without telling him any details, asked him to send home transportation because she wanted to visit the evangelist. Puzzled as to the timing, he asked if everything was alright. “All is well,” she assured him. Really? Her son is lying dead and she tells his father that all is well? Is she mad with grief!
Arriving at the home where Elisha was lodging, she was met by his assistant who inquired, on behalf of the evangelist, about the welfare of her family. Again she replied, “All is well.” It wasn’t until she was face to face with Elisha that she gave way to her sorrow. “Did I ask you for a son?” she cried. “Didn’t I tell you not to raise my hopes for nothing?”
As she related the events of the morning, Elisha was stricken with grief. Yet, he sensed that God was at work and had a divine purpose in it all. Turning to his assistant, he instructed him to go to the couple’s home and carry out certain measures. Assuming the mother would go, too, he was surprised when she stayed behind. “As surely as the Lord lives and you live, I will not leave you,” she declared in a determined voice.
Again, curious behavior under the circumstances. Perhaps she felt that this man of God was her only link to the One Who holds the power of life and death, and that to go from his presence would be to lose contact with her only hope. Whatever her reasoning, her declaration was not lost on her friend who quickly prepared to accompany her to her home.
Upon arrival they were met by the assistant with the sad news that, although he had carried out Elisha’s instructions, his efforts had proven futile. The child’s corpse remained as lifeless as when his mother placed him on the bed several hours before.
Undaunted, and feeling the leadership of God’s Spirit, Elisha entered the room and closed the door, leaving the mother and his assistant outside. Alone with the corpse, he began to pray; then he did something strange. Crossing the room, he climbed onto the bed and stretched himself out on the body of the dead boy – mouth to mouth, eye to eye, and hands to hands. As he did so, warmth began to return to the little corpse.
Elisha then rose and began praying again as he paced back and forth across the room. Then he repeated his earlier actions. Immediately the boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes. Miraculously, he had returned to life.
Opening the door, Elisha told the anxious mother to pick up her son who was now alive. She fell on her knees in gratitude and praise to God, then picked up her son and cradled him in her arms. Without fanfare or ceremony, Elisha and his assistant returned to the place where she had found them.
We realize that God does not heal every condition or restore life to everyone who dies. But still He cares deeply for each of us and is acquainted with every emotion we experience. When we trust in Him, He uses a myriad of methods to see us through each situation we encounter. And He asks us, in the challenges of life, to live with an attitude of surrender of all we are and all we possess, so that in times of loss and sorrow, we can, like the Shunammite woman of long ago, say with confidence, “All is well.”
Lord, selfishly I tend to cling to what I think is mine,
forgetting that I do not know the things You have in mind.
So when I have to give them up by death or other means,
ignoring that they’re really Yours, my heart in protest screams.
But all I have and hold is Yours; they’re mine but for a day;
and since they’re Yours, You have the right to give or take away.
Lord, make me constantly aware, no matter what befalls,
that what is mine is really Yours, and subject to recall.
Glenda Collins Inman
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