A Heart of Contentment

The Shunammite Woman
2 Kings 4

Never did the Shunammite woman slip a bill under Elisha’s door during his stays at her family’s home. She had no reason to because the account never changed.

Room $0.00
Board $0.00
Balance Due $0.00

Deeply touched by this godly woman’s hospitality, Elisha wondered aloud to his servant, “What can be done for her?” Perhaps Elisha’s servant had been pondering the same question since he too, had been blessed by her graciousness. He said: “She has no son, and her husband is old.”

“That’s it! A son for her to love, who will care for her in the future! Call her in now!” Elisha exclaimed. Then he announced to this generous but childless woman, “About this time next year you shall embrace a son” (verse 16). And it happened just as Elisha said: She conceived and bore a son. In the words of the psalmist, “He maketh the barren woman . . . to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD!? (Psalm 113:9 KJV).

The story of the Shunammite woman has a happy ending, but please don’t miss its remarkable message: Apparently this precious sister was content even before she had children. She seems content to dwell with her own people, content to live her days without children, content to lavish her love upon her husband, content to extend her welcoming care to the likes of Elisha and his servant. In this godly woman we sense no bitterness or regret about how her life is going. She had apparently “learned” to be content.

Nevertheless, she undoubtedly knew ecstatic joy at the birth of her infant son! But she had learned greater lessons in the days and the decades preceding that wondrous event. Surely this woman had learned that . . .

. . . contentment is understanding that if I am not satisfied with what I have, I will never be satisfied with what I want.

. . . contentment is realizing that God has already given me everything I need for my present happiness.

Learn the lessons this woman learned and know a heart of peace and contentment. Then, right where you are, praise the Lord whatever your circumstances!

by Elizabeth George