Recently, I was studying the topic of miracles in the Bible and stopped
for a closer look at those pertaining specifically to children. I found
that the approach taken in curing adults was slightly different than the
approach taken in curing children. In various accounts, three specific
steps were taken to revive them whole as exhibited in the following story…
1. Seclusion
2. Prayer
3. Personal contact
1 Kings 17:17-24, “And it came to pass after these things, that the son
of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was
so sore, that there was no breath left in him. [18] And she said unto
Elijah, What have I to do with thee, O thou man of God? art thou come
unto me to call my sin to remembrance, and to slay my son?”
Here was a child, once healthy, that had become very sick and was now
missing any sign of life at all - a son that desperately needed revival!
Perhaps there is child like that in your home today? Many Christian parents
have witnessed the deterioration of their children’s well being and observed
them growing cold toward the things of God. This brokenhearted mother,
unaware that she was facing a test, assumed that because of her sin she
was responsible for the grave condition of her son; a clear indication
that her faith in God had failed… All thought of any relief gone, she
turns to Elijah and vents her skepticism. Ladies, oftentimes when we are
facing trials and tribulations in which our children are involved we tend
to become more guarded, assuming those nearby seek only to criticize or
slay. We even mistrust the Lord and assume the worst at every turn of
events - especially when the outcome is unknown! A better response would
be the one Eli exhibited in 1 Samuel 3:18b, “And he said, It is the Lord:
let him do what seemeth him good.”
Vs. 19-20, “And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out
of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid
him upon his own bed. And he cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my
God, hast thou also brought evil upon the widow with whom I sojourn, by
slaying her son?”
Touched by her distress, the first step this prophet took in the face
of such an ordeal was to request the son be given to him. While this may
seem a difficult course of action for a grief-stricken mother to take,
the widow woman, clutching his limp frame close to her heart, released
her unresponsive son to the man who represented the God she did not fully
trust. Elijah turned and carried him up to his loft and there alone, communed
with the Lord… He prayed where she could not, and in firm belief, petitioned
God for the boy’s life.
1 Kings 17:21-22, “And he stretched himself upon the child three times,
and cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, I pray thee, let this
child's soul come into him again. [22] And the Lord heard the voice of
Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.”
Ladies, the life of your child is dependent upon these three things -
seclusion from the world, earnest, believing prayer, and one-on-one contact
with a strong, godly influence. What a testimony for anyone who seeks
to raise the spiritually dead, amen? Actually, in scripture, children
are symbolic of those who have been regenerated or born-again. Therefore,
these three factors are also vital to the life of a new convert if we
would see them develop active, healthy Christian lives!
1 Kings 17:23-24, “And Elijah took the child, and brought him down out
of the chamber into the house, and delivered him unto his mother: and
Elijah said, See, thy son liveth. And the woman said to Elijah, Now by
this I know that thou art a man of God, and that the word of the Lord
in thy mouth is truth.”
Gladness returns to a bereaved heart and the widow woman’s mistrust of
God has been mended through the miracle of her son’s revival! Though she
was originally uncertain of the outcome of this trying situation, the
power of God prevailed and a happy home was re-established.
In closing, perhaps your daughter or son’s spirit has grown cold and lifeless,
they are unresponsive to your attempts to help them, their Christian testimony
has become limp and weak… I hope that you will be encouraged through this
precious Bible story to fully trust the Lord with the outcome! Separate
yourself from the world, seek the input of the man of God, seek support
in prayer from those who know and believe the Lord. God can raise your
child to life again through these three avenues. God can also keep our
children alive through them as well. Don’t wait until they are unconscious
to do something about their spiritual well-being!
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2002 Pamela A. Iannello
