GOD’S WORDS OF WELLNESS (4)

“’Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child?’” And she answered, “IT IS WELL” – 2 King 4:26b

There shall always be a sure confirmation of GOD’S WORDS of WELLNESS in the Believer’s mouth: “Please run now to meet her, and say to her, ‘Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child?’” And she answered, “It is well” (2 Kgs.4:26). This was the account of a wealthy woman from the town of Shunem who featured prominently in the ministry of Elisha, the prophet. Knowing the uniqueness of Elisha's ministry, she furnished him a room on the roof of her house, with a table, a chair, and a lamp (2Kgs.4: 9-10). In response to her generosity Elisha prophesied that her dead womb would give birth to a son and it did (v.17).

For years the family lived happily until the son tragically died (v.20). She placed his body in the rooftop temple and strangely didn’t tell her husband that their son had died (vv.21-22). She told him that “IT IS WELL” and quickly set off to find Elisha on Mt. Carmel (vv.23-24a). Elisha's servant Gehazi saw her from a distance and asked what was wrong, only to get the same answer she gave to her husband: "IT IS WELL” (v.26). She only revealed her need to the man of God (v.28). She knew only God could bring life. Elisha sent young Gehazi ahead with his staff to lay on the boy, but nothing happened (v.29). But the moment God's Servant touched the boy, he came back to life (v.34). God confirmed the Confession of Wellness of this unnamed woman of rare Faith!

To this woman of faith, the situation was not hopeless; hence, she ran to call Elisha, the man of God. To everyone who asked her as she travelled, if everything was okay, her incredible and consistent reply was, “It is well”. Her only son had just died; how could she say things were well? She could, because she had hope in her heart that God would move in her experience and make it well. Elisha came and prayed over her son. The Lord sent a miracle – the boy sneezed seven times and opened his eyes. There is so much we could learn from this amazing woman: her hospitality, humility, spiritual perception but, above all that, her ability to say, “IT IS WELL” in the most distressing of life’s experiences. She had complete faith and trust in the great God, the Source of all Life!

Reading this text, we could say: “It was okay for the Shunammite woman because her prayer was answered positively and her son was returned to her.” What if the restoration to life didn’t happen? What if God had said no; would she still have been able to say, “It is well”? She probably would. So, what is it in times of seeming hopelessness, that can help us say, “It is well?” It is well because all that God does is ultimately for our good and His Glory. His answer is the best answer for us and His Will is the safest route for our lives. Is this always easy? Absolutely not, and many have known the despair and heartbreak of the hard path: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).

Moreover, it is well because God has promised His peace: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phi. 4:6-7). It is well because God always ends every matter on a positive note!