Today’s Reading: 2 Kings 8; Psalm 145

Elisha had told the woman whose son he had brought back to life, “Take your family and move to some other place, for the Lord has called for a famine on Israel that will last for seven years.” So the woman did as the man of God instructed. She took her family and settled in the land of the Philistines for seven years. – 2 Kings 8:1-2

GOD’S TIMING IS ALWAYS GOOD.

After seven years, the woman and her son returned from the land of the Philistines. The famine was over, just as Elisha had said it would be. She went to the king to ask about getting her house and land back. Right before she had arrived, the king had asked Elisha’s servant to tell him some stories about the great things he had seen Elisha do. Just as Gehazi had finished the story about Elisha bringing the widow’s son back to life, the mother and her boy walked in.

“Look, my lord the king!” Gehazi exclaimed. “Here is the woman now, and this is her son—the very one Elisha brought back to life!”

“Is this true?” the king asked her. And she told him the story. So he directed one of his officials to see that everything she had lost was restored to her, including the value of any crops that had been harvested during her absence. – 2 Kings 8:1-6

AND SHE TOLD HIM THE STORY.

God had done something wonderful for this woman, and she was willing to use that story for God’s purposes. She was willing to retell her story of how her son had been dead, but now he was alive and standing beside her. The woman was grateful for the miracle she had witnessed firsthand, but it was not just her story to tell — she realized that the story of God raising her son from the dead fit into God’s story.

What has God done for you? How does your story fit into His? Perhaps there is someone who needs to hear your story in order to trust God with their own.

EVERYTHING SHE HAD LOST WAS RESTORED TO HER.

Sometimes our story is like this woman’s — a story of God performing a miracle of healing for ourselves or for someone we love. But sometimes our story holds memories of regret and pain. It can be difficult to share the difference God has made in your life when it reveals a moment that holds shame or embarrassment. Perhaps God wants to restore what you have lost by using your story to help others.

I am grateful this morning that we serve a God who is willing to redeem our story for His purposes. Father God, I give you permission to use me in the lives of others today. Give me eyes to see the opportunities you will place before me, trusting in you to restore what I have lost. Redeem my story for your glory, I pray. Amen.

Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts;
let them proclaim your power.
I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor
and your wonderful miracles.
Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue;
I will proclaim your greatness.
Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness;
they will sing with joy about your righteousness.
The Lord is merciful and compassionate,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.
The Lord is good to everyone.
He showers compassion on all his creation.
All of your works will thank you, Lord,
and your faithful followers will praise you.
They will speak of the glory of your kingdom;
they will give examples of your power.
They will tell about your mighty deeds
and about the majesty and glory of your reign.
For your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.
You rule throughout all generations.
The Lord always keeps his promises;
he is gracious in all he does. – Psalm 145:4-13