God's Grace to Those In Need

What God Did Then, He still does now

Malcom Guite— “What God did back then, He is still doing now and will do for us.”

Desperation and Content

Widow

What do you have?

Just a little oil

Like Elijah with the little bit of flour and little bit of oil

Like Jesus with five small loaves and two small fish

Kept flowing until all the jars were filled

It was enough to pay the debts

Grace to those in need

As opposed to the kings who thought they were self-sufficient

In fact they were opposed by God

Whereas the widow and the childless woman—were blessed by God

Shunamite Woman

To be a blessing towards Elisha—quiet blessing

Finding contentedness in the act of service

What can we do for you?

I am among my own people—what more could I want?

I’m content OR is it more like—I’m fine, I’m fine

Don’ get my hopes up

Child is born

But he surprisingly dies—hope is dashed

What is God up to in this moment? Why give a child only to take him away?

She goes—but in the process always says—it is all right, all is well, or all is at peace

I WONDER—do we sometimes do that as well?

When life comes crashing down, do we put on a good front—it is all right, all is well or all is at peace

When inside we are hurting

Clinging to Elisha—a physical representative for the presence of God

Prayer

Fervent prayer

Each time prayer is answered—it is a sign of the kingdom of God breaking in

Healings were “gracious, personal, but secondary, gifts. Their primary and universal import was as signs of the kingdom, pointer to that promised reign when God will wipe away very tear from our eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.”—James Cook

What God did back then, he is still doing now and will do for us.