A Mother's Plea for Her Son - May 8th, 2022

1 Kings 17:17–24 KJV 1900

17 And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him. 18 And she said unto Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son? 19 And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed. 20 And he cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son? 21 And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, I pray thee, let this child’s soul come into him again. 22 And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived. 23 And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth. 24 And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth.

Introduction

A. A Mother Who Has Suffered Great Loss

1. She is a widow, so has already lost her husband

2. She is a woman of faith and has ministered to Elijah

3. Now her only son has died, and grief is consuming her

B. Where Can a Mother Turn When in Need?

1. This grieving mother turns to a man of God

2. Elijah shows her compassion and ministers to her need

3. He takes her son in his arms and sets a miracle in motion

Body

I. Elijah Prepares to Pray and the Answer Is on Its Way (1 Kings 17:19-23)

A. The prophet takes the widow's son into a loft and cries to God

1. He asks God why the widow's son has died (1Ki. 17:19-20)

1 Kings 17:19–20 KJV 1900

And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed. And he cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by slaying her son?

2. He wants to know God's purpose in the widow's heartache

3. He prays for healing for the widow's son (1Ki. 17:21)

1 Kings 17:21 KJV 1900

And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, I pray thee, let this child’s soul come into him again.

4. See how specific Elijah is in his praying (v. 21)

B. The Lord heard the earnest prayer of Elijah (1Ki. 17:22-23)

1 Kings 17:22–23 KJV 1900

And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived. And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth.

1. "Let this child's soul come into him again" (1Ki. 17:21)

2. This is a prayer for resurrection by the living God

C. Elijah's announcement of victory

1. The child is delivered to his mother alive

2. What good news for this rejoicing mother! (1Ki. 17:23)

1 Kings 17:23 KJV 1900

And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and Elijah said, See, thy son liveth.

II. A Scene of Victory and Vindication (1 Kings 17:24)

1 Kings 17:24 KJV 1900

And the woman said to Elijah, Now by this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth.

A. The vindication of Elijah

1. "By this I know that thou art a man of God"

2. All doubts about Elijah's character and power evaporated

B. The vindication of God's wisdom, power, and love

1. The word of God was in His servant's mouth

2. Everything Elijah had said was true

III. We Can Trust God During Tough Times

A. No problem is too difficult for God to solve

B. No tragedy is too trying for God to bring peace

C. The servants of God are equipped for every situation

1. We can trust God to give wisdom to His servants

2. God's power is sufficient when hope seems gone

D. Faith brings victory on the darkest day

Conclusion

A. Trying Times Yield to Truth

B. What Difficult Problem Do You Face Today?

C. Make Every Adversity an Adventure

[Source: Roger Campbell, Preach for a Year, #8; Kregel]