The Unseen

We are called to a journey of faith; “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 NKJV

Our faith is always tested at one time or the other, what about when the things we wait for keep getting delayed year in, year out; do we remember how God views time?

I think in many ways I can identify with this woman in 2 Kings 4:8-37. There we meet Elisha and the Shunammite woman. When I think of this woman, I imagine she was elegant, graceful, respected and commanded authority in her own right. She talked to her husband and they built a room where Elisha stayed every time he passed by. One day Elisha asked what can be done for her for all her trouble and she said (vs 13b) “I have a home among my own people.” When he insisted on what can be done for her, his servant Gehazi said she had no son. Elisha called her once more and told her that (vs 16) “At this time next year, you will hold a son in your arms.” NKJV

I would have expected that she would be cool as usual, however we see her without any facade, her emotional response opens our eyes to the depth of her heart (vs 16). “And she said, No, my lord. Man of God, do not lie to your maid servant!”

True to Elisha’s word a son was born and after some years he gets ill and dies. She saddles a donkey and goes out looking for Elisha. To everyone she speaks to she says all is well, until she gets to Elisha and says to him (vs 28) “Did I ask for a son of my lord? Did I not say, ‘Do not deceive me’?” NKJV

I have wondered about the Shunammite woman and how the Lord truly knew what was at the core of her heart. Her need and desire for a son was well hidden to the outside world. I wonder when she stopped praying, stopped hoping, stopped believing, when she built a wall around herself to protect herself from the hurt that had come from waiting. I wonder how many times she had been ridiculed, how often people spoke behind her back?

I too have had a moment when something in me was brought to light. It was early 2021, I was with Jonathan and Elise in Kefa’s house in Cheplat Kenya. They began praying for me and as they were praying Elise prayed against the spirit of unwantedness in me. In an instant it felt like the depths of my heart were exposed. In that moment, I truly felt seen, things that I had never shared with anyone had been brought to light because God wanted to heal me. I cried as they prayed because the Lord had revealed to someone else what was hidden and what had made me feel then that I was not good enough.

As we lead this life, we will sometimes get disappointed, embarrassed, disillusioned when things don’t turn out as expected. We have a choice whether to build a wall around ourselves, live in shame, or live trying to prove our worth. At the core a lot of us have valid unmet needs that may or not be met while we are in the land of the living. And I believe it takes courage to admit these needs to anyone else let alone ourselves.

If you read this and something comes to mind, I pray that God gives you courage to name that thing or whatever He brings to mind. Ask Him to show you what lies you have believed about yourself and about Him regarding that thing and finally ask Him to reveal to you what is the truth that sets you free.

In my experience, these hidden things keep us from truly worshiping God, because secretly we may be angry, bitter, resentful and jealous. I believe with all my heart God wants to heal you from them. Will you allow Him to heal you? Will you surrender them to Him?

● I pray for humility and courage to be vulnerable to yourself, God and others.

● I pray for peace that transcends your mind and for the God of peace to guard your hearts and mind in Christ Jesus.

The Lord bless you and keep you;

The Lord make His face shine upon you,

And be gracious to you;

The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,

And give you peace.” Numbers 6:24-26 NKJV

Reflect

Read 2 Kings 4:8-37
Share this with someone as the Lord leads you.
Reach out to someone for prayers of encouragement
Encourage someone in their walk

About the author: Ruth is passionate about helping facilitate healing for people lost in addiction. Through discipleship and counseling, she has seen many individuals in Kenya and elsewhere in the world find freedom in Christ. She is an All Nations field worker based in Nairobi, Kenya under the Kampala hub.
Ruth’s testament of Jesus’s victory in her own journey of healing from addiction can be viewed and purchased at https://amzn.to/2YF9ci0.

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