It Is Well
--- title: "It Is Well" date: series: "Sermons 2001 Rewritten" text: "2 Kings 4:18–37" speaker: Ed Rangel location: Waupaca Church of Christ bibleversion: NASB 1995 type: Expository status: draft tags:
sermon
sermons-2001-rewritten
faith
suffering
trust
elisha
cssclasses:
tpt-sermon
tpt-sermon-outline
tpt-mode-outline
---
It Is Well
Learning Objectives
Explain the faith of the Shunammite woman in 2 Kings 4:18–37.
Show how true faith trusts God even when circumstances are painful and confusing.
Distinguish biblical trust from pretending pain does not exist.
Apply the phrase “It is well” to suffering, death, uncertainty, and obedience.
Call sinners and Christians to examine whether it is truly well with their souls before God.
Thesis
It is well with the soul only when faith rests in God’s righteousness, submits to His will, and trusts Him even when grief enters the house.
There are moments when a person says, “It is well,” and everyone knows life is comfortable. Bills are paid, children are healthy, the house is quiet, and the future looks manageable. That kind of peace is easy to talk about. But 2 Kings 4 gives us something stronger. A mother holds a dead son, leaves him in the prophet’s room, rides to find the man of God, and still says, “It is well.” That is not denial. That is faith with tears in its throat.
Introduction.
It is a wonderful thing to see God answer prayer.
A burden lifted.
A door opened.
A sickness healed.
A providential care made visible.
It is also powerful to see a Christian hold steady under suffering.
Pain is real.
Loss is real.
Fear is real.
Yet faith keeps walking.
Some Christians can suffer deeply and still say, “God will take care of me.”
They are not pretending.
They are not minimizing the wound.
They are trusting the God who sees beyond the wound.
Second Kings 4 gives us such a woman.
She showed kindness to Elisha.
She received a son by God’s mercy.
She watched that son die.
She still moved with faith.
The question is not whether grief comes.
It does.
The question is whether our faith can still say, “It is well,” because God remains righteous, sovereign, and faithful.
I. It Is Well When Faith Serves God Before the Crisis Comes.
The Shunammite woman showed kindness to the prophet.
Second Kings 4:8 introduces her as a prominent woman.
She had means.
She had a household.
She had influence.
She noticed Elisha and provided for him.
She urged him to eat.
She made a place for him.
She used what she had to serve God’s servant.
Her faith was not born only in emergency.
Before the child died, she was already serving.
Before the grief came, she was already honoring God’s work.
Crisis reveals faith, but ordinary life often trains it.
Her kindness was practical.
She did not only speak respectfully of Elisha.
She fed him.
She prepared a room.
She gave him a bed, table, chair, and lamp.
Service to God is often seen in simple acts.
Hospitality.
Care.
Provision.
Thoughtfulness.
God’s people should not wait for dramatic moments to be faithful.
Serve now.
Give now.
Encourage now.
Use your home now.
Use your means now.
God saw her life.
Elisha learned she had no son and her husband was old.
That was not a small sorrow.
In that world, childlessness carried deep personal and social pain.
Her future looked uncertain.
Elisha told her she would embrace a son.
The promise was beyond ordinary expectation.
Her husband was old.
Yet God was able.
The child was a gift.
Not earned by human merit.
Not produced by human power alone.
Given by divine mercy.
When God blesses, the blessing still belongs under His rule.
Children are gifts.
Health is a gift.
Time is a gift.
None of it is outside the hand of God.
II. It Is Well When Faith Turns to God in the Crisis.
The child became ill in the field.
Second Kings 4:18–20 records the painful turn.
The boy went out to his father among the reapers.
He cried, “My head, my head.”
The father sent him to his mother.
The child sat on her lap until noon and died.
That is a crushing sentence.
A promised son.
An old wound healed.
A mother’s arms.
Death.
Faith does not mean believers never suffer.
The faithful woman still wept.
The kind woman still lost.
The woman who served God still faced death in her house.
Her response shows controlled faith, not panic.
She carried him to the prophet’s room.
She laid him on the bed of the man of God.
She shut the door.
She went out.
She did not collapse into hopelessness.
She moved.
She acted.
She sought the prophet.
Her husband asked why she was going.
It was not the new moon.
It was not the Sabbath.
From his view, the trip made no sense.
Her answer was, “It will be well.”
She did not explain everything.
She did not announce despair.
She spoke from faith that still looked toward God.
Faith does not require us to understand everything before we trust God.
She did not know how the matter would end.
The child was dead.
Elisha was not present.
The outcome was not in her hands.
Yet she went to the man of God.
She knew where to turn.
She knew God’s servant must be reached.
She refused to treat death as stronger than God.
In suffering, faith asks the right question.
Not, “How do I control this?”
Not, “How do I explain this?”
But, “Where is God in this, and will I trust Him?”
III. It Is Well When Faith Submits to God’s Will Without Calling God Wrong.
The woman told Gehazi, “It is well.”
Elisha saw her coming and sent Gehazi.
He asked whether it was well with her.
Whether it was well with her husband.
Whether it was well with the child.
She answered, “It is well.”
Her son was dead.
Her pain was real.
Her words were still faith-filled.
She was not lying.
She was not pretending the child was alive.
She was not denying grief.
She trusted that whatever God did would be right.
Biblical faith rests in God’s righteousness.
Romans 11:33–36 reminds us of the depth of God’s wisdom and knowledge.
His judgments are unsearchable.
His ways are unfathomable.
No man has become His counselor.
From Him and through Him and to Him are all things.
God is righteous.
Whatever God does is right.
Whatever God permits is not beyond His rule.
Whatever God withholds does not make Him unjust.
Mortal man must be careful before accusing God.
We see a little.
God sees all.
We feel the wound.
God knows the end from the beginning.
Trusting God does not remove sorrow, but it changes how sorrow is carried.
The Shunammite woman still clung to Elisha’s feet.
She was distressed.
She was grieved.
Her soul was bitter within her.
Elisha recognized that the LORD had hidden the matter from him.
The prophet did not know everything.
God did.
Human servants are limited.
Her faith did not make her emotionless.
Strong faith can weep.
Strong faith can ask.
Strong faith can plead.
But strong faith does not call God evil.
God helps His children in weakness.
Romans 8 teaches that God helps His people in weakness.
The Spirit intercedes according to the will of God.
God’s people are not abandoned in suffering.
Even when words fail, God knows.
Christ understands suffering.
He lived in the flesh.
He was tempted.
He suffered.
He is merciful.
First Corinthians 2:12–16 reminds Christians that God has revealed what we need through the Spirit.
We do not judge life merely by the natural man’s sight.
We receive God’s revealed mind.
We learn to think under Christ.
IV. It Is Well When God’s Power and Promise Hold the Final Word.
Elisha went to the child.
The child was dead on the prophet’s bed.
The situation was humanly hopeless.
No human strength could reverse it.
Only God could give life.
Elisha prayed to the LORD.
The power was not in Elisha as a mere man.
The power belonged to God.
Prayer acknowledged dependence.
God restored the child’s life.
The boy sneezed seven times.
He opened his eyes.
The mother received her son alive.
The woman’s posture proved reverence.
She came in and fell at Elisha’s feet.
She bowed to the ground.
She took up her son.
She went out.
Her faith was vindicated.
She had said, “It is well.”
God had shown mercy.
The child lived.
Yet the lesson is larger than the miracle.
God is able.
God is wise.
God is merciful.
God remains God when He restores and when He does not.
Christians must not build faith only on favorable outcomes.
The child was raised in this text.
That is God’s mercy.
That is God’s power.
That is God’s glory.
But not every child is raised.
Not every sickness is healed.
Not every prayer receives the answer we desire.
Not every grief is removed in this life.
Faith says “It is well” because God is faithful, not because life is painless.
If God restores, it is well.
If God withholds, He is still righteous.
If death comes, God still judges rightly.
If heaven is our hope, death does not own the final word.
For the faithful Christian, it can truly be well with the soul.
Suffering may remain.
Pain may remain.
Questions may remain.
Tears may remain.
But the soul can be right with God.
Forgiven.
Cleansed.
Reconciled.
Faithful.
Hopeful.
The faithful can face death differently.
Not because death is pleasant.
Not because grief is small.
Because Christ has conquered death.
Because resurrection is real.
Because God keeps His promises.
Application.
For the suffering Christian.
Do not measure God’s love only by how quickly He removes pain.
The Shunammite woman teaches us to move toward God, not away from Him.
Faith may tremble, but it must not accuse God of unrighteousness.
For the church.
We must be the kind of people who help the suffering carry grief.
Do not give shallow answers to deep wounds.
Point people to God’s righteousness, mercy, and promises.
For parents and families.
Children are gifts from God, not possessions outside His hand.
Teach your children faith before crisis comes.
Let them see a home that serves God in ordinary days, so they know where to turn in dark days.
For the sinner.
If you are outside Christ, it is not well with your soul.
You may have money, health, family, and comfort, but without forgiveness you are still lost.
The question is not whether life feels well; the question is whether you are right with God.
Conclusion.
Everyone either has suffered or will suffer devastation.
Death enters homes.
Sickness strikes.
Plans collapse.
Hearts break.
The question is how we will respond.
Will we run from God?
Will we accuse God?
Will we trust Him?
Will we obey Him?
The Shunammite woman teaches us to carry grief toward God.
Her son died.
Her heart hurt.
Her faith still moved.
Her mouth still confessed, “It is well.”
Matthew 17:20 speaks of faith like a mustard seed.
Even small faith in the living God is not small in power.
The issue is not the size of our control.
The issue is the greatness of the God we trust.
If you are a faithful Christian, it is well with your soul.
Not because life is easy.
Not because sorrow is absent.
Because God is righteous, Christ is risen, and your hope is secure.
If you are not a Christian, it is not well with your soul.
Do not confuse earthly comfort with spiritual safety.
Come to Christ.
Obey the gospel.
Be made right with God today.
Plan of Salvation
Hear the word.
Faith begins when the sinner hears the message of Christ.
No soul can be made well while refusing God’s word.
Reference: Romans 10:17.
Believe Christ.
The sinner must believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
Faith rests in the crucified and risen Lord.
Reference: John 8:24.
Repent.
Repentance turns the heart from sin toward God.
A soul cannot be well while it clings to rebellion.
Reference: Acts 17:30.
Confess Christ.
Faith must not remain hidden.
The sinner must confess Christ as Lord.
Reference: Romans 10:9–10.
Be baptized for the remission of sins.
The sinner must submit to baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness.
Baptism is not a symbol after salvation; Scripture connects it with forgiveness, new life, and entrance into Christ.
References: Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3–4; Galatians 3:27; 1 Peter 3:21.
Live faithfully.
The Christian must continue trusting and obeying God through joy and sorrow.
The Lord calls His people to faithfulness until death.
Reference: Revelation 2:10.
Word Study.
| Word | Original | Meaning | Use in Text |
|---|---|---|---|
| Well / Peace | שָׁלוֹם / shalom | Peace, welfare, wholeness, well-being. | The woman says “It is well,” expressing trust in God beyond circumstance. |
| Bitter | מָרַר / marar | Bitter, grieved, distressed. | Elisha recognizes the woman’s soul is bitter within her. |
| Pray | פָּלַל / palal | To intercede, pray. | Elisha prays to the LORD before the child is restored. |
| Live | חָיָה / chayah | To live, revive. | God restores life to the dead child. |
| Wisdom | σοφία / sophia | Wisdom. | Romans 11 praises the depth of God’s wisdom. |
| Helps | συναντιλαμβάνομαι / synantilambanomai | To help together with, assist in weakness. | Romans 8 shows God’s help in human weakness. |
| Mind | νοῦς / nous | Mind, understanding. | First Corinthians 2 speaks of having the mind of Christ through revealed truth. |
|---|---|---|---| | Well / Peace | שָׁלוֹם / shalom | Peace, welfare, wholeness, well-being. | The woman says “It is well,” expressing trust in God beyond circumstance. | | Bitter | מָרַר / marar | Bitter, grieved, distressed. | Elisha recognizes the woman’s soul is bitter within her. | | Pray | פָּלַל / palal | To intercede, pray. | Elisha prays to the LORD before the child is restored. | | Live | חָיָה / chayah | To live, revive. | God restores life to the dead child. | | Wisdom | σοφία / sophia | Wisdom. | Romans 11 praises the depth of God’s wisdom. | | Helps | συναντιλαμβάνομαι / synantilambanomai | To help together with, assist in weakness. | Romans 8 shows God’s help in human weakness. | | Mind | νοῦς / nous | Mind, understanding. | First Corinthians 2 speaks of having the mind of Christ through revealed truth. |
Scripture Interlock Table.
| Testament | Reference | Original Context | Connection to Main Text | Doctrinal Use | Sermon / Teaching Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Testament | 2 Kings 4:8–17 | The Shunammite woman shows kindness to Elisha and receives the promise of a son. | Shows her faith and service before the crisis. | Teaches ordinary faithfulness before suffering. | Supports Point I. |
| Old Testament | 2 Kings 4:18–37 | The child dies, the woman seeks Elisha, and God restores the child’s life. | Main text. | Shows faith under grief and God’s power over death. | Governs the sermon. |
| Old Testament | Job 1:20–22 | Job worships after devastating loss and does not charge God with wrong. | Parallels faith that refuses to accuse God in suffering. | Teaches reverent trust in grief. | Supports Point III. |
| Old Testament | Psalm 46:1–3 | God is refuge and strength in trouble. | Supports trust when circumstances shake. | Grounds confidence in God’s presence. | Supports Application. |
| Old Testament | Lamentations 3:21–24 | Hope is renewed by remembering the LORD’s mercies. | Shows faith speaking in sorrow. | Teaches hope in God’s faithfulness. | Supports Conclusion. |
| New Testament | Matthew 17:20 | Jesus speaks of faith like a mustard seed. | Supports the call to trust God in crisis. | Shows faith rests in God’s power. | Supports Conclusion. |
| New Testament | Romans 8:26–28 | The Spirit helps in weakness and intercedes according to God’s will. | Shows God does not abandon suffering saints. | Teaches divine help in weakness. | Supports Point III. |
| New Testament | Romans 11:33–36 | Paul praises the depth of God’s wisdom and unsearchable ways. | Supports submission to God’s wisdom when life is confusing. | Teaches God’s righteousness and sovereignty. | Supports Point III. |
| New Testament | 1 Corinthians 2:12–16 | Spiritual truth is revealed by God, and Christians have the mind of Christ. | Shows believers must judge life by revealed truth, not natural sight alone. | Grounds faith in revelation. | Supports Point III. |
| New Testament | Hebrews 4:14–16 | Christ is a sympathetic High Priest who gives mercy and help. | Shows Christ understands suffering and helps His people. | Supports confidence in Christ during trial. | Supports Application. |
| New Testament | Revelation 21:1–4 | God will wipe away every tear, and death will be no more. | Shows final hope beyond present grief. | Grounds the ultimate “It is well” in God’s promise. | Supports Conclusion. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---| | Old Testament | 2 Kings 4:8–17 | The Shunammite woman shows kindness to Elisha and receives the promise of a son. | Shows her faith and service before the crisis. | Teaches ordinary faithfulness before suffering. | Supports Point I. | | Old Testament | 2 Kings 4:18–37 | The child dies, the woman seeks Elisha, and God restores the child’s life. | Main text. | Shows faith under grief and God’s power over death. | Governs the sermon. | | Old Testament | Job 1:20–22 | Job worships after devastating loss and does not charge God with wrong. | Parallels faith that refuses to accuse God in suffering. | Teaches reverent trust in grief. | Supports Point III. | | Old Testament | Psalm 46:1–3 | God is refuge and strength in trouble. | Supports trust when circumstances shake. | Grounds confidence in God’s presence. | Supports Application. | | Old Testament | Lamentations 3:21–24 | Hope is renewed by remembering the LORD’s mercies. | Shows faith speaking in sorrow. | Teaches hope in God’s faithfulness. | Supports Conclusion. | | New Testament | Matthew 17:20 | Jesus speaks of faith like a mustard seed. | Supports the call to trust God in crisis. | Shows faith rests in God’s power. | Supports Conclusion. | | New Testament | Romans 8:26–28 | The Spirit helps in weakness and intercedes according to God’s will. | Shows God does not abandon suffering saints. | Teaches divine help in weakness. | Supports Point III. | | New Testament | Romans 11:33–36 | Paul praises the depth of God’s wisdom and unsearchable ways. | Supports submission to God’s wisdom when life is confusing. | Teaches God’s righteousness and sovereignty. | Supports Point III. | | New Testament | 1 Corinthians 2:12–16 | Spiritual truth is revealed by God, and Christians have the mind of Christ. | Shows believers must judge life by revealed truth, not natural sight alone. | Grounds faith in revelation. | Supports Point III. | | New Testament | Hebrews 4:14–16 | Christ is a sympathetic High Priest who gives mercy and help. | Shows Christ understands suffering and helps His people. | Supports confidence in Christ during trial. | Supports Application. | | New Testament | Revelation 21:1–4 | God will wipe away every tear, and death will be no more. | Shows final hope beyond present grief. | Grounds the ultimate “It is well” in God’s promise. | Supports Conclusion. |
Invitation.
Hear the word.
Romans 10:17 says faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
Believe Christ.
John 8:24 warns that unless you believe that Jesus is He, you will die in your sins.
Repent.
Acts 17:30 says God commands all people everywhere to repent.
Confess Christ.
Romans 10:9–10 teaches confession with the mouth and belief in the heart.
Be baptized for the remission of sins.
Acts 2:38 commands repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.
Live faithfully.
Revelation 2:10 calls the Christian to be faithful until death.
