God’s Providence
And when the King asked the woman, she told him. So the King appointed unto her a certain officer, saying, Restore all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now. (II Kings 8:6)
Analyzing the life of the Shunammite woman, it is evident that God's Providence is at work. Despite the passing of time, God's Providence remains applicable and relevant. I remembered the ending of my Army Reserve career and wondered how I would supplement my income to recover from this anticipated void in monthly funds. Unknown to me, within the following month, an opportunity developed at work that increased my income beyond the part-time reservist pay, and I didn't have to travel across the country to receive it. Like the Shunammite woman of whom the King restored her property and income after seven years, God intervened in my financial situation by restoring more during my post reservist's time than I could imagine. Because of God's Providence, things are never as they seem.
After the seven-year famine, the Shunammite woman lost her land by leaving the country at the request of Prophet Elisha. Now she is standing before the King, trying to get it back. Can you imagine her mindset while entering the King's court – If God cared for me in the land of Philistines, should not He have watched over my property at home? Unbeknownst to her, God watched over property, and now He was preparing the King's heart for such a moment called God's Providence.
As this story unfolds in 2 Kings 8, you will notice that God has a way of making all things come together for His good. Only God would have orchestrated Elisha's servant, Gehazi, to appear simultaneously as the Shunammite woman comes into the King's presence. Gehazi tells the King about Elisha's ministry when the Shunammite woman enters. Now, Gehazi offers proof of what he is saying. "…And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life" (2 Kings 8:5b). What a powerful testimony this portrays! Because of this testimony, the King appoints an officer to restore the Shunammite woman's property and wealth. In God's Providence, such an event discloses without either party doing any preplanning.
The encounter between the King and the Shunammite woman assures us that God's Providence works continuously. We must never forget Revelation 12: 11, And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore, if my plans do not unfold as I anticipate, I must learn to avoid anxiety and worry but believe that God's Providence is creating my testimony similar to the Shunammite woman. Finally, to demonstrate God's plan universally, it is paramount that I anticipate God's Providence. This anticipation leads to my acceptance that God will always intervene according to His purpose instead of my interest.
Because of God's Providence, things are never as they seem.