It Shall be Well, because It Is Well.

Q: What does the Bible say about faith in difficult situations?

The Bible teaches that faith allows believers to proclaim 'It shall be well' even amidst trials (2 Kings 4:23, 26). In 2 Kings 4, the Shunammite woman exemplifies profound faith in the midst of adversity. Despite the death of her son, she confidently responds to inquiries about her well-being with 'It shall be well,' illustrating a deep-rooted belief that God is sovereign and capable of working all things for good (Romans 8:28). This faith is not based on the absence of trouble but on the promise and character of God. Such faith is crucial for Christians, as it sustains us through tribulations and reaffirms the understanding that God’s grace abounds even in suffering (Philippians 1:29).

Q: How do we know God's promises are true?

God's promises are upheld by His character and the testimony of Scripture, assuring believers of their truth (Hebrews 11:19). The assurance of God's promises rests firmly on His unfailing character as revealed in Scripture. For instance, the promise made to the Shunammite woman—that she would bear a son—was fulfilled according to God's timing and power. This reflects a larger theological principle that underlines the certainty of God’s word; His promises are backed by His sovereign will and covenant faithfulness (Hebrews 11:19). Furthermore, believers are encouraged to cling to these promises, which are guaranteed in Christ, the ultimate expression of God's faithfulness (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Q: Why is grace important for Christians?

Grace is essential as it empowers believers to live in faith and hospitality (Philippians 1:29). Grace is pivotal in the Christian life because it is through grace that we are saved and empowered to live out our faith. The Shunammite woman's hospitality toward Elisha demonstrates that true grace compels us to serve others generously. In Philippians 1:29, believers are reminded that not only do we receive the grace to believe, but also the grace to endure suffering for Christ’s sake. This multidimensional aspect of grace illustrates that it undergirds our entire spiritual journey—empowering us to act in love, endure hardships, and remain faithful despite our circumstances. Grace transforms our hearts, enabling us to reflect God's love and mercy in our lives.

Q: What does suffering teach us as believers?

Suffering teaches believers reliance on God's promises and the assurance of His ultimate purpose (Romans 8:28). For believers, suffering serves a divine purpose, teaching us to rely more fully on God's promises and His sovereign will. Romans 8:28 assures us that all things work together for good to those who love God. When faced with trials, like the Shunammite woman, we are invited to maintain a perspective of hope and trust that God is at work, even if our present circumstances feel despairing. Moreover, suffering refines our faith, deepens our understanding of grace, and reminds us of the eternal weight of glory which far outweighs our momentary afflictions (2 Corinthians 4:17). Ultimately, suffering is an opportunity for personal growth and greater intimacy with God.

Q: Why can we say 'It shall be well'?

'It shall be well' is a declaration of faith in God's sovereignty and His ability to work all things for our good (Romans 8:28). Declaring 'It shall be well,' particularly in dire circumstances, is an act of faith that acknowledges God’s sovereign control over all situations. This phrase encapsulates the believer's confidence that, despite external challenges, God is ultimately in charge and will fulfill His promises to His people. The Shunammite woman's insistence that 'It shall be well' in the face of tragedy exemplifies this deep trust in God’s goodness. This conviction is supported by Romans 8:28, where we are assured that God orchestrates every event in our lives for His glory and our benefit, solidifying a foundation for hope even amidst uncertainties.

2nd Kings chapter 4 2nd Kings chapter 4 Let's start reading in verse 8 there's two there are three wonderful lessons. This is one sandwiched in between sandwiched right in between Starting in verse 8 2nd Kings 4 and it fell on a day and that Elisha passed to Shunem, where was a great woman, and she constrained him to eat bread.

And so it was that as often as Elisha passed by, he's going between karma and prophet school, he's going back and forth, so apparently he passed by that way quite a bit. And every time he did so, he turned in thither, and to eat bread. She constrained him. And she said to her husband, behold, now I perceive that this is a holy man of God, which passes by us continually.

Let us make a little chamber. Let's just add on to the house just a little bit. Let's just do something for him. I pray thee on the wall and let us set for him there a bed, table, stool, candlestick, and it shall be when he comes to us that he shall turn in thither. And it fell on a day that he came thither and he turned into the chamber and lay there.

And he said unto Gehazi, and Gehazi was Elisha's servant, his servant, and he called the Shunammite, And when he had called her, she stood before him. And he said unto him, to Gehazi, say to the woman now unto her, behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care. What is to be done for thee? Would thou be spoken for the king or the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among my own people. And he said unto her, what then is to be done for her?

And Gehazi answered, Elisha, she has no children, and her husband's old. Now, you know, to be barren or to not have children in the Jewish order, they almost looked at it as a curse. It was a woeful situation. She didn't say anything. What should be done to her? Gehazi, I said, she doesn't have any child and her husband's old.

And so he said, call her. And when he had called her, she stood by the door again. And he said, about this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, no, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid. And that's the end of that conversation. And later, the woman conceived and bear a son at that season that Elisha had set unto her according to the time of life. Right on schedule.

And when the child was grown, fell on a day, he went out with his father to the reapers. And he said to his father, my head, my head. And he said to the lad, carry him to his mother. And when he had taken him and brought him to his mother, he sat on her knees till noon and then died.

Then she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God and shut the door upon him and went out. 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. And religion says, and the man of God, not the man of God, but the husband says, wherefore art thou to go to him today is neither new moon nor Sabbath. She said, it shall be well. She had faith. It shall be well. She went anyway. Disobeyed her husband. Oh boy. There are times that you need to do that. And there are times you don't. You can't do anything. The child's dead.

Then she saddled an ass and said to her servant, drive and go forward. Slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee. 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 far off, he said to Gehazi, his servant, behold, yonder That's Shunammite.

I could tell that's her. 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 thy child? And he said that, and she said, It is well. A grieving mother is well. The child wasn't a little child. When a child was grown, Is it well? It's well.

And when she came to the man of God in the hill, she caught him, Elisha, by the feet. And Gehazi came near and thrust her away. And the man of God rebuked Gehazi. I said, let her alone, for her soul is vexed within her, and the Lord hath hid it from me. And he hadn't told me. I'm a man of God. I understand the scriptures, but we don't know it all. We don't know it all. He's hid this from me. It's the glory of God to conceal a matter is what scripture says.

Then she said, did I desire a son of my, she's asking Elisha, did I desire a son of my Lord? Did I not say, do not deceive me, do not lie to me. Then he said to Gehazi, Elisha did, gird up your loins, take my staff in your hand and go thy way. And if thou meet any man, salute him not. If any salute thee, don't answer him. Just go and lay my staff upon the face of the child. And the mother of the child said, as the Lord liveth and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And Gehazi rose and then they followed her. And Gehazi passed on before them. So they're going together, but she's sticking with the prophet, the man of God.

But there was neither voice. He laid it on the face of the child, verse 31, nor hearing. Wherefore, he went again to meet him and told Elisha, saying, the child is not awakened. And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead and laid upon his bed. Elisha went in, therefore, and shut the door upon them both and prayed unto the Lord. He went up and lay upon the child and put his mouth upon the mouth of the child, his eyes upon the child's eyes, his hands upon the child's hands, and the flesh of the child began to wax warm. Then he returned and walked into the house to and fro and went up and stretched himself upon the child and the child sneezed seven times and the child opened his eyes. And he called Gehazi and said, call this Shunammite. So he called her, and when she was coming to him, he said, take up thy son. Then she went in and fell at his feet and bowed herself to the ground and took up her son. What a story. What a story. can sympathize with this fellow, this sister situation here.

We can sympathize, maybe not specifically, but we can sympathize with her on this, in this situation. Here in Second Kings 4, We have the story and it's a profitable lesson if the Lord gives us ears to hear. If he gives us ears to hear and eyes to see, it's a very profitable lesson. This is the story of a tried believer. Pastor James Smith, 1862, he said this about this situation. This was the language of a believer in trouble.

And it should be our language under similar circumstances. It should be our language. Tim James, if you read him on 2 Kings, says basically the same thing. Same thing. Well, the title of this message, it shall be well because it is well. It shall be well because it is well right now. I don't know of any difficult situations that we're going through. I'm not aware of any, that doesn't mean that you not have your own personal struggles and hardships, but the believer is difficult, it's a difficult life. Let's look at several things about this woman who is a picture of a believer. Let's look at this one, this Shunammite woman who is a picture of the believer.

First, She had, in verses 8 through 10, it fell on a day that Elisha went to Shunammon, and there was a great woman. She constrained Elisha to eat bread every time he passed by. And then she talked to her husband and said, let's build him a little hut. It's better than sleeping outside right under in a sleeping bag or something.

Well, the first thing about this believer is she had great regard for a man of grace and the truth. She had great regard for a man of truth and the grace of God, which led to many blessings as we read the story. She showed herself in hospitality. That's what grace does. Grace, as Henry would say, it opens the heart and opens the hand. Grace makes people gracious. And I know there's people out here who don't know the grace of God and they're very gracious. But you can't understand grace and then be tight-fisted, be whatever. Everything we have is a gift of God. Grace makes people unafraid.

Now who would in this society today, somebody keeps walking by your house, walking, excuse me, do you want something to eat? Do you want something to eat? I remember, and I told you this story before, I don't know who I heard it from, so I looked it up. And there's still a place today, over in Europe, if you ask for water and bread, you have to ask, they still serve it today. They still serve it today. But grace makes people unafraid. Because we trust in Christ. Now I'm not saying, you know, you be wise, but there's times that faith just runs opposite to logic. It really does. Grace in a person makes them a giving person, makes them compassionate.

This woman, she sees the prophet going back and forth, not only does she give him something every time, which I don't know how often that was, but then she makes a little place for him to sleep and to study. Candle, stool, You remember those two brethren in Luke 24 on the road to Emmaus when they were talking? Did they just let Christ go? What did they say? They constrained Him. You come and eat with us. It's late. Hospitality is in a dying, non-hospitable world. But believers, this woman, number one. Furthermore, look at verse 13. this woman, and Elijah said unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care. What is to be done for thee? Would you be spoken to the king?

You want a lot of money? You want a lot of prestige? And I'm assuming this word great is great as in grace. She may have been wealthy, I don't know. What should be done to you? And he asks things that the person may want. Do we desire high places in this town, in this society, in this community? Or do we desire to help people? He's just helping his prophet. He says, what can I do for you? Oh, if I had that genie, I'd be rubbing that thing, I'd be asking for this and that to satisfy the flesh.

This is not this believer. She showed genuine contentment. This is what this is. Verse 13, in the latter part, she'd be spoken for the king or to the captain, the host. And she answered, I dwell among my own people. What is she saying? She's saying, I'm happy. I'm content. I'm satisfied with what God has given me.

She's saying like old Jacob in Genesis 33. Esau says, I got enough. And then Jacob says, I got enough. But those are two different words. He says, I'm satisfied. Jacob says, I got it all. I have it all. So how much more do you need? What do you have to have? Nothing. If you have Christ, Now we have to live, provide for our children, stuff like that. She's saying, I've got it all. The believer in Jesus has all because he has Christ. And he has Christ's righteousness. And the scripture says we are complete in him. This is what she's saying.

Now, let the potsherds of the earth strive with the potsherds of the earth. And the older you get, Hopefully the Lord matures you and you see why was I messing with the I didn't need this Got a church. I got a hair that had the gospel. I've got a loving family Thirdly she desired the truth look at verse 16. I She desired the truth. He said, about this season, you're going to have a time of life, you'll embrace a son. And she said, no, my lord, thou man of God, do not lie to thy handmaid. The word she desired, the word of grace. Do not lie to me. And when I stand up here, and if I lie to you, woe is me.

That's the problem with our former pastor. That's the problem we've got with these people, diatrophies, love the world, he forsook the gospel. That's why there's two in Acts, when they wanted to buy the Holy Spirit, the Lord took them out. That's why there's a lot of preachers in the pulpit that don't need to be in the pulpit. Because they're lying to people.

She was a believer, she said, I need to hear the truth. And I told this story and it's been retold. A dying parishioner was asked by his pastor, are you ready to meet God? And the answer was this, I am if you've told me the truth. Oh, how heavy is that? I am if you've told me the truth.

Well, Paul turned to 1 Corinthians chapter 1. What did Paul say about this? First Corinthians chapter one, verse 17 through 24. Paul says, I, for Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel. Not with words of, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish, it's foolishness, it's a waste of time. but unto us which are saved is the power of God for it is written I will destroy the wisdom of the wise and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that, in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God. It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

For the Jews require a sign. The Greeks seek after wisdom. But we preach Christ crucified unto the Jews, a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks, foolishness. But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ, the power of God, and the wisdom of God."

It behooves me, and I know it's just telling the same old story. Spurgeon used to call it a one-string guitar. He just plucked it. And to those who have had enough of Christ, they want something more, it gets annoying, it gets aggravating. I don't want to hear that again. Well, how many times can I preach Christ? It's innumerable. Preach Him out of this text. Preach Him last week out of the New Testament, Ephesians.

We don't trivialize this book. We don't add to it. We don't take away from it. We declare, announce, proclaim, stress, confess. Salvation is in God's hands and He dispenses it to whom He will. And to whom He will, those are called lost, blind, backward, hopeless, helpless sinners. We know it must be by the shedding of blood that our sins will be forgiven. It's just, it's not complicated. Without controversy. Without controversy.

Fourthly, grace comes with tribulation. This scares people. This scares a lot of people. First, I'm sorry, Philippians chapter one. Don't let it scare you, because with the temptation, He will make a way for you through it. Why would I be scared of temptation? I'd be scared of hell, damnation. Those things are what should scare us, not the fact that, well, I'm going to lose some friends if I may lose my, you know, may not have a good relationship with my parents, this and that.

But if you know the truth and you tell them, that's how we all came here. If I didn't know the gospel, somebody cared enough to tell me, The things that we worry about, they're not worth worrying about. Philippians 129, for unto you, these believers, the Philippians, it is given, there's the grace, in the behalf of Christ, gotta come through Christ, not only to believe, so belief is a grace, but also to suffer for his sake. The servant is not above his master is what he says in another place. But with tribulation and trial will come the way through it.

Look at verse, quickly back at our text, verse 23 and 26. Verse 23, And he said, Wherefore wilt thou go to him today, as neither new moon nor sabbath? And she said, It shall be well. It shall be well, verse 26. When you meet her, ask her how is it with her husband, with her child, with you? It's well. It's well. It shall be well because it is well right now. Even though the outward circumstances do not look humanly favorable.

Look at Hebrews chapter 11. Why would this be so different than our brother Abraham? Why would this woman be different than Abraham? He was a believer. He had the faith and the grace given him. This woman did too. It's the same faith, it's just a different trial.

Hebrews 11 verses 7 through 19, when we talk about Abraham. By faith, Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac. And he that had received the promises offered him up his only begotten son, of whom it was said that in Isaac shall thy seed be called. He accounted that God was able to raise him up. She believed and accounted that this boy could be raised up.

Same faith, different story. Same faith, different story. She, as all saints, have the promise, and the promises are yes and amen in Christ. What's the promise? It shall be well. That's the promise. It shall be well. It shall be well. Romans 8 20, all things work for good to them who love God and are called according to His purpose. Lastly, Look at verse 28 in 2 Kings,

28. She said, did I desire a son of my Lord, did I not say, do not deceive me? This is the case of every believer.

Now I know sometimes we think we were running for Jesus, we were praying at the breakthrough, we were trying to find Him, but somebody said in Bible class or back there, we don't seek Him. We're not born seeking Him, we're born in sins. We're born in trespasses and sins. We're dead. Dead people don't have life, they can't move. But this is our case.

She says, did I ask for any of this? Did I ask for this child? Did I ask for this miracle? And when it comes between you and God, you confess Him, when you're talking to Him in prayer, you say, Lord, I didn't seek you. I would have. The Scripture says no hand can come. It's as if you're saying the same thing. It looks as though she's arguing, but she's not. This is the case of every believer.

Did I ask for any of this? Did we desire Christ when He found us? I was a wandering sheep. We didn't. I know that today's society, that's why they give you these fake invitations. That's why you got to come forward and shake somebody's hand or confess some sins or write it down on a piece of paper and then hand it up and then we'll do something next week. No, the Lord's going to save you. He's going to make you willing and you'll come.

But naturally through birth, nature and practice, We did not desire Him. Did I ask for any of this? Were we looking for Christ when the Holy Spirit began to draw us unto Himself? We were out doing our own thing. Did we know how grand life would be in Christ? And did we know how bad we are or we are now? No. It's got to be divinely revealed. We were happy in our own miserable state, self-serving, self-seeking, self-glorifying. But when it's all finished, we see that such light afflictions are not to be compared, says 2 Corinthians 4, compared to the glory that will be revealed in us afterwards. Was she bereaved? Are we bereaved when we lose someone?

Absolutely. I'm not downplaying this. Was she bitter? I would be. Was an incredibly tough situation to have this child. It's almost as like this is, you know, it's like humanly, it's too good to be true. I've got a child. We're supposed to have a child. And then the Lord takes him. Our trials and troubles and difficulties may be great, but it shall be well for you who fear God. I close, I'm gonna read you four thoughts. Are we, first, alarmed at the powerful corruptions within us?

Sometimes it's hard to get pants on to come to church. Sometimes it's hard to gather together, sometimes I get angry, you know, just don't want to, leave me alone, just as soon stay at home. Well, what's the difference in that in a monastery? Nothing. We are taken from these things, put in this world to try our faith. But what does Christ say? Sin shall not have dominion over you, where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.

Romans 5, that's the promise. Secondly, are we distressed by Satan's evil suggestions? You come in here in the morning, you know, you're trying to feel right, look right, be right, and all of a sudden, oh, temptations. He's powerful. I'm telling you, it shall be well with us, for God shall crush him, is what Romans 16 says, under your feet shortly. shortly. Thirdly, are we cast down through many vexations along our journey? Yep, get discouraged with one another, with yourself, this and that. But Romans 8, 28, all things are working together for good. And none shall be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ. That's what the word says. So all these objections, my corruptions within me, that's answered.

Satan is more powerful than me, yeah, but we'll crush him one day. Cast down through many vexations along our journey, yeah, but he says nothing's gonna separate us from the love of God. And lastly, do we conclude that our case may be unlike any other of God's children? Sometimes we get a little bit haughty.

Well, they haven't been through that. They haven't been through this. Some of God, maybe not here in this little group, but you talk to somebody and somebody's been through worse. Turn with me to 1 Corinthians 10, we'll deal with that. Well, my case is special. My case, you don't know what I'm going through. I probably don't know what you're going through. But that's not where you look.

You look to Christ. 1 Corinthians chapter 10 and verse 13, this is what the Word says. Again, I'm going to the Word for every solution. Well, it doesn't meet my solution. It does. It sure does. You're not looking hard enough. You're not spending enough time in the Word. That I can say because that's me too. Get distracted. Very distracted. Nathan and I were talking about that last week or whenever. Very distracted. 1 Corinthians chapter 10 verse 13, There is no temptation taking you, who's you, put your name in there, but such as is common to man. But God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape that you may be able to bear it. Yes, indeed. Yes, indeed.

Oh believer, look not at things. They're deceiving. We can only look skin deep. God looks upon the heart and He has a heart. Don't look at things, but look above these things to Him, Christ Jesus, who sits on the throne and know of a certain like this woman did. It shall be well because it is well. Right now. Carol Poole has a little thing in there in his book. God can take care of the problems right now.

He'd take care of you right now. What about next week? What about the week after? Are we guaranteed tomorrow? God can take care and does take care of people right now. That's why we can say it shall, because it is. And I'm preaching to myself as well as anybody that wants to listen, because it's a struggle. Believe me. Lord bless you. Bruce, would you close this?

It Shall be Well, because It Is Well.

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about faith in difficult situations?

How do we know God's promises are true?

Why is grace important for Christians?

What does suffering teach us as believers?

Why can we say 'It shall be well'?

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It Shall be Well, because It Is Well.

Key Quotes

What does the Bible say about faith in difficult situations?

How do we know God's promises are true?

Why is grace important for Christians?

What does suffering teach us as believers?

Why can we say 'It shall be well'?

Sermon Transcript

About Drew Dietz

Comments

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