by Will Ueland

I find it reassuring when things in my life tend to line up. I have the mindset that if things are going smoothly, then I must be on the right path. That's not to say that my mindset is the correct one, but it at least eases my mind when making difficult decisions. I tend to look for external reinforcement to my internal thoughts and desires, such as unexpected prayer requests or unprovoked advice from fellow Christians regarding a particular matter that has been on my mind. I see God working in a similar fashion within these verses. Before the woman pleaded her case before the king, the king was being introduced to her story by Gehazi, the servant of Elisha (2 Kings 8.4-5). The story of her son's resurrection (2 Kings 4.34) was highlighted in the summation of Elisha's miracles for the king. I imagine that this tale of a widow who had lost her only son must have planted a seed of compassion for this lady within the king's heart. And just as Gehazi was telling her story, she appears before the king, almost as if it were scripted into a play. As she retold the story of her son's death and resurrection, she found favor with the king, who restored her riches upon her (2 Kings 8.6). To me, it appears that God was there, preparing the king for her request. If I were this woman, I would have been reassured that my decision to leave my home for seven years was the correct one.

However, when this woman initially left Israel, she had no idea to what she would be returning. This woman's faith is very impressive to me. By faith, she followed Elisha's instruction to move to the land of the Philistines for seven years without the promise that her possessions and property would be restored. I believe that she was able to recall the series of blessings that God had previously bestowed upon her, such as providing oil to repay her debts and resurrecting her son (2 Kings 4.1-37). Unfortunately, often when I feel God calling me to step out in faith, it is easy for my mind to initially rush to the fears and doubts of what could happen, instead of reflecting on how God has consistently been able to provide for me. I typically need the reassurance of others that I mentioned above to make sure I am taking the right step. I wonder if it is still considered a step of faith if I need to seek the reassurance of others. This woman was able to leave everything for almost a decade and yet God restored her as if she had remained in her homeland (2 Kings 8.6). I need to remember that I would never be penalized for stepping out in faith. I'm pretty sure God would not ask us to do something and then pull the rug out from underneath us. I need to remember that God's plans may not make sense to me currently, but He has a full understanding of the long-term picture. As such, I am praying that God opens up my eyes to His path and the courage to follow this path, despite what it may look like to me currently.

A fellow traveler,
Will