DANGER OF POSITIVE CONFESSION (I) --The Case of the Shunammite woman

Text: II Kings 4:8-37

9 And she said to her husband, “Look now, I know that this is a holy man of God, who passes by us regularly. 10 Please, let us make a small upper room on the wall……… “Call this Shunamite woman.” When he had called her, she stood before him. 13 And he said to him, “Say now to her, ‘Look, you have been concerned for us with all this care. What can I do for you? Do you want me to speak on your behalf to the king or to the commander of the army? ’She answered, “I dwell among my own people.”

Life is full of ups and downs, but we are thankful unto God that He’s a God of the mountain, as well as the God of the valley. He’s on the sea and He’s on the land. He’s the Omnipresent God. Therefore, no matter where you find yourself at any point of your journey of life, God is always there. However, in John 16:33, the bible recorded that these things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” This is like someone that is already armed for the fight ahead. There will be no need for panicking.

In discussing this topic as the lord has laid it on my heart, I pray that the Holy Spirit will give you the spirit of understanding so that you don’t misunderstand me. Don’t get me wrong. It is a good thing to confess positively, especially when you know who your God is.

The Shunammite woman in this context has a record of being a kind, generous and hospitable woman who loved to do good. Thus, her act of kindness made her to show warm affection to the prophets by providing them with room on board when she perceived that Elisha was a man of God, (v 8&9). However, she had an abnormality that she had normalized over several years and due to the circumstances and situations at the time. She was without a child, and the husband too was of age.

When the prophet seem to favor her for her act of kindness, remember one good turn deserves another, her statement was like that of our so-called Christians of today who believe in the power of positive confession. She answered, All is Well. In actuality, was all really well for this woman who already figured out that Elisha was a holy man of God? Her response was not different from what we noticed in church today when brethren would neglect the idea of telling their issues to God, especially when someone whom God had sent to them came knocking, they would start quoting scriptures, all in the name of positive confession. Can they really back up their quotation by their lifestyles?

Just ask yourself, if you are presented with the same opportunity as in verse 13 when the man of God asked, “What can I do for you?” What will your response be? Won’t you be quoting the promises of God rather than just tell it the way it is? A lot of believers had lost out in getting answers to their petitions, because at the hour of miracle, they were found wanting in their request. The bible says in Jeremiah29:13-14a that “And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you”

This Shunammite woman would have lost the glorious opportunity of being blessed, or singing a new song, but for her hospitality. Her generosity found her where her positive confession failed her. A lot of believers play the same scriptural game today, but they might not be as favored as this woman because of their attitude. Thus, there is nothing bad in saying I am not feeling fine, but I believe the power of the blood will heal me. I don’t know how to settle my bill, but I am of hope that Jehovah Nissi would provide.

Friends, you have to be in God’s court with your hands highly lifted up before you can expressly enjoy the benefits of the power in confessing positively. No wonder He said in Psalm 24 v 3&4 that “Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?
Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart” Do you think you have clean hands and pure heart? Why then are you not placing your petition at the altar the way they are so that the one that sees in the dark and in the public will meet you at the point of your need?

Finally, another salient point that bailed out this shunammite woman was that she had touched the heart of God somehow, and that is why Elisha was obligated to see to her worries, even when the son died and God did not immediately reveal the same to the prophet. So, what are you doing for God to provoke his blessings through any of his servants or the anointed for you? Mere positive confession without knowing your God will earn you nothing regardless of how many times any prophet ask you to recite it. You need a relationship with God. You need to touch God’s heart in several ways possible to lay claim to your utterances. Remember in John 10:27, the bible recorded that “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” è(Watch Out for Part Two of this series)