You’ve heard of the song “It Had To Be You,” haven’t you? It’s a popular song composed by Isham Jones, lyrics by Gus Kahn, published on May 9, 1924. So, it’s an “oldie-but-goodie.” It’s been covered by many people, including Frank Sinatra and Michael Buble with Barbra Streisand. Well, I’d like to cover “It Had To Be You” in today’s content.
Tear Into It – It Had To Be You
First, I suggest – take a look at our initial content that launched Scripture Dissection materials: Tear Into It. That article gives an understanding of how and why we introduce Scripture dissection exercises periodically in our article rotation.
Look up 2 Kings 4:8-37 in your Bible for a full story. For today’s purposes, here’s a bullet backstory of developments in my words.
It Had To Be You – Scripture Dissection
Here are backstory bullets from 2 Kings 4:8-37:
An unnamed person, the Shunamite woman, is featured.- She is an incredible person with a quality soul: depth, integrity, and godly character.
- The Shunamite woman always welcomes Elisha (God’s prophet) into her and her husband’s home for rest and refreshment in his work. In fact, she builds a special room on top of their house for Elisha when he travels in their area.
- When Elisha realizes this incredible kindness, he asks if she has any request – to thank her.
- This woman is content! Incidentally, though she desired a child strongly, she’s learned gratitude and contentment. Listen to her reply to Elisha’s question. “I have a home among my own people.” (v. 13c)
- Elisha then asks his servant, Gehazi, if he’s aware of anything they can do to thank her. He learns she has no children as Gehazi says, “She has no son, and her husband is old.”
- Elisha tells her she will have a son in about a year.
- The woman is shocked! But also alarmed. Here’s why. This tiny verse peeks into what she’s already struggled through to gain contentment. She basically says to Elisha (my loose translation) – “Don’t mess with me, sir! Don’t tell me things that will get my hopes up. Don’t mislead me, please!” (16b)
- But this dear woman has a son a year later! What an unexpected blessing – having already accepted previous circumstances with resolve, faith, and joy.
But There’s More
- This precious child grows up – then tragically dies.
- The Shunamite woman lays the boy on Elisha’s bed in the room reserved for him.
- She requests a donkey and servant from her husband. Then she, herself, takes the risky journey to Elisha for help. In her mind, it had to be him.
Elisha sees her coming from a distance and sends his servant, Gehazi, to ask quick questions: Is she OK . . . is her husband OK . . . is her son OK?- She tells Gehazi everything is OK. In her mind, she’s not settling for the servant. She’s saying – “it had to be you, Elisha.” Subsequently, she won’t settle for anyone else’s help.
- When she arrives, she falls at Elisha’s feet and pours out her heart. The son you said is a gift is dead. My hopes were fulfilled. Now look!
- Well, Elisha sends Gehazi with steps on how to raise this boy from the dead. It doesn’t work.
- The woman didn’t even go with Gehazi. She insists on staying with Elisha, still insinuating – “it had to be you, Elisha!”
- With the failed first attempt, Elisha makes the trip, himself. Apparently, God agrees with the Shunamite woman. It had to be Elisha.
- Elisha goes up to his room alone, prays, and lays on the boy to share life.
- The boy’s body warms up, but there’s no breath of life – yet.
Then It Gets Interesting
Quite literally, the prophet does a “mini-pace.” You know what I’m talking about. You’ve done that. Scripture says he “turned away and walked back and forth in the room.”- He was likely also praying.
- Then he went back to the boy’s body and lay on it again – as if insisting to share life. This time it’s with the same resolve the woman has (it had to be you, Elisha!) . . . but Elisha is making a different point! It had to be You, O God!
- This time, the boy comes back to life in a dramatic – even humorous way. He sneezes, not once, but seven times! Remember – 7 is God’s number, symbolizing perfection, holiness, power.
- So, God shows up in power, honoring the faith of the woman, which is then matched by Elisha’s faith in God.
- And God shows up in gentle humor.
- Consequently, something very telling happens next. This desperate, grieving woman first shows respect, gratitude, and reverence for God and Elisha by bowing to the prophet. Then – she grabs her beloved son.
Let’s Tear Into – It Had To Be You
There are always four categories we explore in Scripture dissection:
- What Does It Say?
- What Does It Mean?
- Make It Personal
- Make A Commitment.
1. What Does It Say?
Besides the backstory we just bulleted, this Scripture says –
- God values every life.
- Faith matters.
- Resolve matters.
- Discipline matters.
- Respecting God matters.
- Putting God first in all problems, issues, goals, and priorities – matters.
Additionally, this passage is saying every person makes choices that help determine the kind of person they become.
Interestingly, the story also nods at the incredible power of God. And it bears testimony to God’s humor and His deep care for details of lives.
2. What Does It Mean?
You and I are not “unnamed” entities to God. Though your name may be anonymous in the world, your life is well-known and important to God. And He is reaching to you in all your life circumstances.
Reaching for God like this Shunamite woman pursued Elisha, portrays a strong desire for God. It means you trust Him enough to take all your scenarios to Him. Additionally, it means sharing your heart with Him in:
- Depth
- Integrity
- Godly character.
If you’re not fully there yet, no worries. Choosing God is a process that happens each moment. Subsequently, it’s by faith you exercise this kind of depth of soul. As you grab hold of integrity with resolve to go back to God continually, you practice godly character.
Additionally, to go after God with a heart that chooses to be content with only Him – even if you don’t get your wishes or dreams for this life – you’re saying – “From my heart, for all details of my life, it had to be You, God!”
3. Make It Personal
Are you aware someone else – God – is saying to you – “it had to be you?” Yes, He loves you deeply and places eternal value over your life. So, it’s a reciprocal relationship. It’s a “once-in-a-lifetime” treasure – a pearl of great price. (Mt 13:44-45)
God, Himself, values your life so highly He won’t settle for anyone else when it comes to your salvation, your daily walk by faith, your intimacy with Him, and your purpose on this earth.
God designed you to do specific things in your life time, even if you might consider them to be small things. You have been born to do good works that were established from before creation. Eph. 2:10 says you were, “created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance . . . “
You might wonder what those good works could possibly be. It could be a big thing only you can do. But I suspect those good works are regular, simple, critical works each day that honor God. Those works point to Him. Plus, they prepare a platform for Him to reach into others’ lives with His love and power.
Sometimes you simply need to go after God and not let go. Simultaneously, do let go of everything else in life. Essentially, you say to Him – “it had to be You!” And you mean it.
Of course, this doesn’t mean you don’t include other people, activities, organizations, or purposes in your life. It means that Jesus is your First – Most – Best – and Only deep life passion.
4. Make A Commitment – Application Thoughts And Questions
- Do you feel like an unnamed person in the world?
- Do you embrace the value God has declared over your life and purpose?
- Additionally, are you connecting in love and friendship with God each day? This means spending time alone with Him in prayer, in His Word, perhaps journaling what He’s teaching you.
- Do you choose to accept God says to you – “it had to be you?”
- And are you saying back to God from your heart – “it had to be You?”
- What specific things can you put into practice today and going forward to nurture depth, integrity, and godly character?
- Are you practicing contentment even in areas of disappointment and loss – like the Shunamite woman?
- Do you first show respect, gratitude, and reverence for God – and then grab the answer God gives you – like the Shunamite woman?
Special Announcement For November
Now, I want to invite you to participate in a FREE course we are offering during the month of November. It’s called – “Prepare For Christmas Without Missing It.” You can jump in all month for tips and ideas to navigate busy Christmas days. You’ll find step-by-step strategies and practical ideas. The content shows how to enjoy a peaceful yet meaningful Christmas.
You may be the “Christmas Point Person” at your house. Be ready to create an atmosphere of excitement, richness, magic, and fun memories. Set aside stress and frustration, and connect with Emmanuel (“God With Us”) in a deeper way. See how to create time and energy to connect with people and special traditions.
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Additional Resources
* REMEMBER – Holidays are coming quickly. Celebrate Advent: A Life-Response to Emmanuel is wonderful, devotional tool to use Dec. 1-31 to prepare for Christmas. Short, simple, meaningful. And content principles are “keepers” every day of the year. If you order now, you’ll be ready to use on Dec. 1. (paperback and ebook) It is featured in our online course.
Another great Holiday Tool is Prepare For Christmas Without Missing It. This tool has helped people break out of holiday busy-ness and into hope and meaningful celebration. (ebook) It is featured in our online course.
Both books make beautiful gifts. Check them out in our online store.
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