5. Crisis Management

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Hymns: 43 God Is Still on the Throne, 319 – It Is Well with My Soul, 320 – ‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus, 321 – He Hideth My Soul

                                                                   

Life of Elisha

(Serving Our Faithful God)

– Crisis Management

2 Kings 4:18-37

 

18 And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers. 19 And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother. 20 And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died. 21 And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out. 22 And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again. 23 And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well. 24 Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee. 25 So she went and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite: 26 Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well. 27 And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the LORD hath hid it from me, and hath not told me. 28 Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me? 29 Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child. 30 And the mother of the child said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her. 31 And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked. 32 And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed. 33 He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD. 34 And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm. 35 Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. 36 And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son. 37 Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.

 

OUTLINE

  • Crisis At Hand (v18-20)
  • Calmness to Seek God’s Help (v21-30)
  • Claiming the Resource of Prayer (v31-33)
  • Courage to Trust God’s Power to Move In His Own Time and His Own Way (v34-38)

 

INTRODUCTION

Life can be fraught with dangers and crisis situations. Oftentimes, when a crisis hits us, we are at the loss how to respond. As a child of God, we need to know that in all situations that befall us in life, God knows and understands and is still in control although the situation in our own assignment seemed to have spun out of control.

We may not understand why we are put in that predicament but we can seek God for direction how to respond. What are the resources available at our disposal? We have here the story of this godly lady in Shunem who love God and ministered to God’s servant Elisha and was rewarded by God with a son. However, some years later, the son suddenly died. This was the story how she managed that crisis.

  • Crisis At Hand (v18-20)
  • Calmness to Seek God’s Help (v21-30)
  • Claiming the Resource of Prayer (v31-34)
  • Courage to Trust God’s Power to Move In His Own Time and His Own Way (v35-38)

 

(1) Crisis At Hand (v18-20)

18 And when the child was grown, it fell on a day, that he went out to his father to the reapers. 19 And he said unto his father, My head, my head. And he said to a lad, Carry him to his mother. 20 And when he had taken him, and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon, and then died.

We recall the story of Elisha’s encounter with this woman in Shunem, located on the northern edge of the Plain of Esdraelon, north of Jezreel and east of Mount Carmel. She often sees Elisha coming through her village. She was a woman of faith who saw the value of Elisha’s work in the Northern Kingdom of Israel during a time of great falling away of the faith. She ministered to God’s prophet by providing bread for him each time he came by. Seeing the toil and need of Elisha, she decided went further to construct a “prophet’s chamber” in her home to provide a shelter and resting place for him when he was in town. God rewarded her with a son in response to her gracious hospitality shown toward God’s servant as we saw last week in 1 Kings 4:16-17.

16 And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid. 17 And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life.

The story goes that some years later when the boy was in the field to meet his father that he suddenly felt great pain in his head. The cause of his headache was not known. The father immediately instructed for the child to be brought to his mother in their home. When his mother nursed him as he sat on her knees until it was mid-day when the child died. What great devastation for a mother to witness the death of his own son. She must have been in prayer seeking God for wisdom what to do in this time of crisis.

Dear brethren, what do you do when a crisis situation befalls you? For this woman, she responded in faith. God is still on the throne. She has been spending her life loving God and His people.

Romans 8:28 (KJV) 28  And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

 Although she did not understand why she has to be faced with such a predicament, she was calmly trusting God guidance in this time of need.

 

(2) Calmness to Seek God’s Help (v21-31)

21 And she went up, and laid him on the bed of the man of God, and shut the door upon him, and went out.

She did not panic. She knew what she was doing. She must have uttered a prayer to God to grant her wisdom what to do in view of the crisis.

Recall the psalmist David’s prayer in time of crisis. He pleaded with God to show mercy to him, to direct his path. He understands that God will make a way for him. He examines his life, confesses his sin. Sought the Lord’s mercy.

Psalm 25:4-10 (KJV) 4 Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. 5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. 6 Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old. 7 Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness’ sake, O LORD. 8 Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. 9 The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way. 10 All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies.

 

I Know the Lord Will Make a Way For Me

I Know the Lord Will Make a Way For Me (2x)

If I look to Him in prayer, darkest night will turn to day.

I Know the Lord Will Make a Way for Me.

 

Of course, in the moment of severe crisis, we have not do all that David did. We may be so shocked and grieved, not knowing what we pray. Realize that the Holy Spirit that indwells the believer keeps him by His divine power.

Romans 8:26-27 (KJV) 26  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

The Apostle Paul reveals that the Holy Spirit comes to our aid in our spiritual weaknesses. Often, we know not what we should pray. The blessed Spirit helps us by interceding for us with deep inarticulate pleadings on our behalf. This support is consistent, continuous and constructive that we may be built up spiritually and strengthened in times of crisis. We cannot fully fathom the inner work of the Holy Spirit but realize we are not struggling alone in our spiritual weaknesses.

The Holy Spirit sustains us by His divine presence helping us overcome sin, the flesh, and the world. As the old saying goes, “If you have the Holy Spirit on the inside, you can stand any kind of battle on the outside…The human spirit fails unless the Holy Spirit fills.”

We are not left alone to fend for ourselves. When the Holy Spirit begins to indwell the believer at the new birth, it will do so until we are presented before God perfected at Christ’s coming. This is the promise that Jude writes for our encouragement during those time of our despair when we struggle to obey God’s will, staggering in our prayer life, the Holy Spirit is there to sustain us –

Jude 1:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.

As a child of God, we do not struggle alone. We can be assured that God is with us in any crisis. He allows it for our good and as we wait upon Him for wisdom to act, the crisis will work out for God’s glory.

She placed her son on Elisha’s bed in the prophet’s chamber. She did not tell her husband that her son had died. God gave her the calmness of mind to do His will. It was to seek God’s prophet for help.

22 And she called unto her husband, and said, Send me, I pray thee, one of the young men, and one of the asses, that I may run to the man of God, and come again. 23 And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him to day? it is neither new moon, nor sabbath. And she said, It shall be well.

She was urgently seeking to meet Elisha and requested that transportation be quickly arranged. She knew in her heart by God’s prompting that this was what she needed to do.

 24 Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee.

She calmly in quick steps rode on a donkey to Mount Carmel where Elisha was.

25 So she went and came unto the man of God to mount Carmel. And it came to pass, when the man of God saw her afar off, that he said to Gehazi his servant, Behold, yonder is that Shunammite: 26 Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well.

Elisha saw her afar off. He understood that there must be some crisis. But he did not know what is it. God did not reveal to him. Therefore, he sent his servant Gehazi to find out what happened and usher her to him.

Notice the response of the lady to Gehazi’s question. She did not reveal the matter of the son’s death to him. Whitcomb commented, “Somehow, the Shunammite woman knew that Elisha’s servant Gehazi lacked depth of faith tha Elisha possessed. And so, hurrying to Mt. Carmel (ten miles to the west) where she and others had received from Elisha systematic instruction in God’s Word in times past, she insisted on seeing the prophet himself in her hour of deepest need (v 24, 27, 30).”

 27 And when she came to the man of God to the hill, she caught him by the feet: but Gehazi came near to thrust her away. And the man of God said, Let her alone; for her soul is vexed within her: and the LORD hath hid it from me, and hath not told me.

 Notice the insensitive actions of Gehazi to hinder the woman from seeking Elisha. Obviously, Gehazi was not in tuned to the grave need of this woman. More so, he was not in tuned with God, he cannot serve effectively.

God directed her to meet Elisha. She did. She knew that this child was given to her as a result of Elisha’s prayer and she sought Elisha’s help to inquire of God what she is now to do.

 Proverbs 10:22 (KJV) 22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.

If it is God’s will that the son is a reward from God, such a premature death makes no sense.

28 Then she said, Did I desire a son of my lord? did I not say, Do not deceive me?

She sought clarification from Elisha to understand God’s will in this matter. Truly, in times of crisis, God directs us to His Word for wisdom and He directs us to spiritual men to provide us with counsel.

29 Then he said to Gehazi, Gird up thy loins, and take my staff in thine hand, and go thy way: if thou meet any man, salute him not; and if any salute thee, answer him not again: and lay my staff upon the face of the child. 30 And the mother of the child said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And he arose, and followed her. 31 And Gehazi passed on before them, and laid the staff upon the face of the child; but there was neither voice, nor hearing. Wherefore he went again to meet him, and told him, saying, The child is not awaked.

Whitcomb further observed, “Gehazi, whose spiritual shallowness was later fully exposed (2 Kings 5), was completely helpless in the presence of death, even with Elisha’s equipment and methods at his disposal. This is an important point. God is a glorious Person, and cannot be manipulated by sinful man under any circumstances.”

(3) Claiming the Resource of Prayer (v32-33)

32 And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed. 33 He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD. 

The Holy Spirit turns prayer from activity into energy (John Blanchard). As the old saying goes, “When we work, we work, when we pray God works.”

Elisha demanded privacy for fervent prayer. Elisha prayed earnestly for God’s help that God be merciful to save this child. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much (James 5:16).

To spend an hour worrying on our knees is not prayer. Indeed, there are times when it is our duty, having committed a problem to God in prayer, to stop praying and to trust and to do the necessary work to arrive at a solution. (Oliver Barclay)

Philippians 4:6 (KJV) 6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Like Elijah, Elisha was not doing his own wishes but was doing God’s will. As the saying goes, “When there is no hope on the horizontal level, there is always hope on the vertical level.”

John 15:7-8 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.

Elisha’s life, like Elijah’s life was one of dependence. His will was absorbed in God’s will. He understood that God’s will is the best and he sought God’s will to be fulfilled in his ministry.

Elisha tarried with God in prayer. He knew his mission is not completed. He separated himself in the solitary confines of the room and sought God’s help in fervent pray.

 

(4) Courage to Trust God’s Power to Move In His Own Time and His Own Way (v34-38)

34 And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm. 35 Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes. 36 And he called Gehazi, and said, Call this Shunammite. So he called her. And when she was come in unto him, he said, Take up thy son. 37 Then she went in, and fell at his feet, and bowed herself to the ground, and took up her son, and went out.

Having prayed, we need to know that God is still on the throne. We are to put our eyes upon God and rest in His love (Adrian Rogers). Whatever the outcome may be, we trust God to work out His will in His time and in His way.

 

A miracle was wrought to revive the dead child. Hallelujah! God’s name be praised.

 

CONCLUSION

  • Crisis At Hand
  • Calmness to Seek God’s Help
  • Claiming the Resource of Prayer
  • Courage to Trust God’s Power to Move In His Own Time and His Own Way

 

Amen.