It Shall Be Well

Her son died in her lap—how could she confidently tell her husband, “It shall be well” (2 Kings 4:23)? She had learned much from God’s prophet as he often visited their home and believed him when he told her she would have a much longed-for son. Knowing God was the Giver of her miracle child, she went immediately to the prophet to call on the Miracle Maker. She waited with expectation for a miracle, trusting the power of prayer and God’s ability with unwavering faith that all would be well. Elisha did what was humanly possible for the boy but relied on God’s power to restore his life.

We don’t need to wait for an “Elisha” to intercede on our behalf; we have Jesus, our Intercessor, who intercedes on our behalf as we cry out to the Father. As we place our confidence in God, who knows the best for us and others, we, too, can say all is well, even when our eyes see, and heart may think otherwise. When we pray with an unfettered faith, trusting our all-powerful, miracle-working God with our most profound need, we can rest in His foreknowledge, wisdom, and care that He will do what’s best. It shall be well, either on this side of eternity or with Him in glory. 

Destiny

Why didn’t Jonah jump into the water if he knew that would quiet the life-threatening storm instead of asking his fellow seamen to throw him overboard and spare them the anguish and guilt they experienced? God’s providence. Jonah tried to run from God and knew the storm they were in resulted from his disobedience. He told the sailors about his defiance, introducing them to God, who was Master over the wind, sea, and all creation, and unless they threw him into the raging sea he caused, they would die with him. The men cried out to the One True God rather than the helpless gods they knew, yet the storm raged. Then they threw Jonah into the water, and at once, the storm stopped. They were amazed by God’s power, made sacrifices to Him there in the boat, vowing to serve Him (Jonah 1:1–16)—God’s purposes fulfilled.

We can run but can’t hide from God; disobedience can generate unwanted disturbances that affect not only us but sometimes innocent bystanders as well. Before those life upsets end, the sin that caused them must be confessed and abandoned: “I acknowledged my sin unto Thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid” (Psalm 32:5a). Only by repenting—turning back to God—followed by obedience to His instructions will God’s purpose-driven discipline cease. People affected by your circumstances or those who witness them may come to know and trust the One True God by your submission to the Lord. God’s providence. 

Lessons Learned

 Our newlywed house guest thought me an uncaring mother as we watched my determined toddler—despite my repeated warnings—sway back and forth in an overturned counter stool. Then the inevitable happened, she toppled over, and she cried because the fall hurt. Why did I let our child’s stubbornness continue? She had to learn the hard way: “Chasten thy son while there is hope and let not thy soul spare for his crying” (Proverbs 19:18). Although she longingly glanced at the stool the rest of the evening, she didn’t go back to it. Lesson learned.

 Some life lessons are more challenging to learn than others. Leniency is granted in some situations, while others need staunch disciplinary action. Sometimes God extends mercy, and other times He is firm. Because we love our children, we discipline, regardless of the tears. God does the same. While we may make mistakes in handling situations, God doesn’t. Our heavenly Father warns, and we choose whether to heed or disregard His instructions. The danger of ignoring God’s warnings is how hard a fall we are willing to take. Lesson learned?

Truth's Showdown

Most religious leaders hated Jesus because He loosened people from their prideful grip when He pointed them back to God as He spoke. The ones entrusted to guide the people spiritually stirred them up, plotted against and lied about Jesus, and smugly watched Him die on the cross. Instead of rightly leading the people, they incited them, imprisoning and putting to death those who embraced and proclaimed God’s truth.

Jesus came to earth as Truth: “. . . To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Everyone that is of the truth heareth My voice” (Matthew 18:37). He was trusted, followed, hated, or ignored—everyone who heard Jesus speak had to decide the truth of His Deity. The same decision is before us today. Human nature opposing God’s Truth has created and positioned us for a stormy showdown. We often choose self over righteous living—many entrusted with authoritative positions over us are more concerned with popularity than doing right; lies and deceit have run amuck and stirred the people. Believing God’s truth sometimes comes at a high price, but all who reject it will suffer throughout eternity, separated from their Creator. Now is the time to decide who and what you believe. Base your decision on who believes and follows God, upholding His truths, not humanity’s opinions.

The Cutting Edge

Solomon, the wisest person in biblical history, said it takes more strength using a dull ax, so sharpen it: “If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct” (Ecclesiastes 10:10). Carrying out a duty without the necessary skill or knowledge requires more effort, and the desired outcome will be lacking. God will not give you a task that He doesn’t first equip you to complete. But to succeed, you must willingly bend to His will and “sharpening.”

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; giving the reverence due to our Creator and bowing to His authority is the beginning of learning (Proverbs 9:10; 1:7). Insight is not gained only by gathering knowledge but by sifting through what one has experienced and learned, separating the needless from the beneficial, and applying that understanding for practical use. God’s Word is the most excellent resource for learning because it teaches truth, exposes what isn’t right and how to correct it—the Bible equips us for right-living (2 Timothy 3:16–17). A wise person receives God’s truths and lives them out daily for His glory, surrendering to His whetting stone for success in life.

Outside the Door

Jesus stands at everyone’s heart’s door: “Behold I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in” (Revelation 3:20a). But Jesus will never push or beg His way into anyone’s life. When He knocks and we let Him in, we accept His invitation to enter God’s doorway to salvation. We are saved by confessing with our mouth the Lord Jesus and believing that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9). You become a sheep of the Father’s pasture, and Jesus, The Door to the sheepfold (John 10:9), will protect you, feed you, and supply a place of rest.

Those who reject Jesus’ knocking—do not repent and turn to God—will spend eternity separated from the Father who loves them; He is the only way to the Father (John 14:6). We can’t earn our way into heaven by being or doing good, not even by loving God and others. If you haven’t accepted God’s saving grace, open your heart’s door to His Savior today before it grows cold and callous and the opportunity is gone. Jesus doesn’t knock indefinitely.

Stockpiles

God entrusts believers in His Son with spiritual and tangible blessings to be shared, not hoarded: “Say not unto thy neighbor, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee” (Proverbs 3:28). When God stirs your heart to help someone or act kindly, your delayed response causes postponed or missed blessings, opportunities you cannot always recapture.

No matter how reasonable the excuse, putting off until tomorrow what you should do today is disobedience, and God doesn’t promise a tomorrow. We are not to withhold good from others when we have the resources to help (v. 27). When God lavishes abundant blessings, He expects faithfulness from His stewards in handling those investments. When He blesses much, God expects much (Luke 12:48). If you don’t act when you know you should, you have sinned: “Therefore, to him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin” (James 4:17).