Could I, like the Shunammite woman, say "it is well" when what seems most precious is taken from me? Promised by Elisha that she would embrace a son and now this. Why? Questions like this are difficult to answer, aren't they? It's what we see here in her response to the questions that intrigues me.
Looking at the complete picture of this woman in verses 8 through 37 we find insight into her character, her strength and her resolve. Immediately she puts her son on the bed where Elisha rested when visiting. Then she hurriedly leaves the house and gets to Mt. Carmel in search of the man of God, Elisha. Troubled, yet single minded and in control, this woman confidently knows where to turn for help. What an illustration of the kind of faith James describes in the first 8 verses of his book! A faith that has no doubt that God will respond. A faith that although tested is enduring and reveals that she remains complete, lacking in nothing.
This kind of faith is expressed so beautifully in the words penned by Horatio G.Spafford. "When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul. A curious answer from a troubled, broken heart? Yes. However, it is a response telling us that deep inside she knows with a dependence on and trust in God, it is well!
