Reviving Our Children

Rise and Shine for Jesus!

By Pam Iannello (my late mother)

"Reviving Our Children"

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 reviving adults was slightly different than the approach taken in reviving children. In various accounts, some specific steps were taken as is exhibited in the following story of a domestic calamity…

1 Kings 17:17-24 (KJV)

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, who had become very sick and was now missing any sign of life at all - a son that desperately needed revival! Perhaps there is a 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 her sin was responsible for the grave condition of her son; a clear indication that her faith in God was suffering. What would you think if one of your children became ill and died unexpectedly? All thought of any relief gone, the mistress of the house turns to Elijah and vents her troubled mind. Oftentimes we tend to become cynical when facing sharp afflictions pertaining to our children by supposing people close to our situation will accuse us as we have accused ourselves. We even have our doubts about the Lord and assume the worst at every turn of events - especially when sin and sorrow threaten to envelop us.

1 Kings 17: 19-20 (KJV)

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?

Notice that Elijah didn’t bother to answer the woman’s bitter, blaming comments. Instead, he was touched by her distress; and the first step this prophet took in aiding a troubled household was to request the son be given to him. While this may seem a difficult course of action for a grief-stricken mother, the widow woman, clutching the boy’s limp frame close to her heart, released her unresponsive son to the man who represented the God she did not fully trust. How often we permit our circumstances to cause us to forget and overlook the benefits that come from having a prophet of God in our lives! Elijah turned and carried the lifeless shell up to his loft and there alone, communed with the Lord on their behalf... Prophet prayed when mother could not, and in firm belief, petitioned God for the boy’s life. Are you in the habit of accepting pastoral counsel regarding the problems your children are having?

1 Kings 17:21-22 (KJV)

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.

It appears that communication was essential in restoring a dead child. First, Elijah communicated natural warmth to the child and then he communicated with God in private prayer over the matter. Yes, this prophet of God personally agonized over the boy’s condition; he accepted the challenge of getting involved for Christ’s sake. Ladies, when is the last time you were equally distraught over a spiritually lifeless individual, perhaps even a member of your own family? Are you prone to communicating natural warmth to this person – more than once? Keep conveying your warmth and concern – you never know when you’ll fuel a recovery! When is the last time you remember pleading with God for the life of a saint whose walk with the Lord has come to a halt? What an example for us who wonder how to help the spiritually dead! God heard the voice of Elijah – has He also heard yours? Has the Lord had the pleasure of observing your sincere and holy attempts to revive a cold-hearted Christian?

1 Kings 17:23-24 (KJV)

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 as the widow woman’s confidence in God was raised through the miracle of her son’s revival! The boy’s life had returned to him by way of sanctified human instruments, spiritual tools, and the prevailing power of God. Though the Shunamite woman was originally struggling over the reason for this particular trial, it seems she now understood that her faith had been dramatically tested. What would happen if yours was? Ladies, whatever the cause for our trial may be, God is always willing to help us; be assured of His power and love. We can live without answers to all our questions!

In closing, perhaps your son or daughter’s spirit has grown cold and lifeless; they are unresponsive to your attempts to help them, and their walk with the Lord has become motionless… I hope that you will find enough encouragement in this story to fully trust the Lord with the outcome of your domestic distresses! Your child can be revived… Seek the input of the man of God and yield to his counsel; seek support in prayer from those who know and believe the Lord; and never underestimate the power of God! There is plenty of hope for every home.

God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2002 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2007