“A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, “Your servant, my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves.” ~ II Kings 4:1
REFERENCE:
Widowhood is an experience you would not wish for anyone. I was talking to a widow in my family recently, and I was quietly repenting under my breath. Why? Because I realized that no one understands the depth of pain, fear, insecurity, helplessness, etc., they feel. I repented because many clichés we say to them often hurt them more than heal them. We are insensitive to the fact that, in most cases, they have to start all over again.
Our text tells of a prophet’s widow who likely did ministry with her husband and sacrificed her career to go with him for outreaches in the hinterlands. Hence, she had no job to fall back on when he died. They incurred debts by personally sponsoring the ministry, the schooling of their sons, and paying house rent (perhaps, like many today, they did not enjoy the support of people).
The notable thing about this prophet’s widow is that she did not ridicule her husband for leaving her indebted; she was not bitter, claiming that God abandoned them after years of loyal service; she did not blame any friend or family member or get offended at the creditor. She came to terms with her new reality and sought ways to escape. She, therefore, leveraged her husband’s relationship with the prophets’ father, Elisha.
The disposition of this widow opened her up for recovery and financial breakthroughs. If you experience any loss, mourn, but refuse to be bitter or blame anyone for your situation. That is satan’s ploy to keep you there longer than necessary. Look to God for Elishas that He will send to you as open doors. Trust Him to make ways for you to leverage on relationships you built when things were going well. He will supernaturally bring you a helper if you trust Him.
We lost our accommodation some time ago because a developer disappointed us. Instead of ‘mourning,’ we trusted God. Soon, my wife got an odd and unexpected email that reconnected her to an old friend; that friend gave us a beautiful and furnished house to live in for a year until we moved into ours. Indeed, God cares for those who mourn; He is the widow’s husband.
PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL TEXTS:
I Corinthians 10:13, Psalm 68:5, and Isaiah 61:1-3
PRAYER:
+ Lord, this morning, I rise from the ashes of my loss, pain, betrayal, or setback and reach the new doors You are opening for me. I forgive and release whoever hurt me, left me, or refused to help me. I declare that You are my ultimate helper. Send me those who will value, support, love, and pay me for what You have put in me. Give me a new beginning, in Jesus’ name.
