Ministerial Inquiry into the Welfare of a People
2 Kings 4:26
Run now, I pray you, to meet her, and say to her, Is it well with you? is it well with your husband? is it well with the child?…


I. WHEN MAY IT BE SAID TO BE REALLY WELL WITH ANY PERSONS? Many would think it to be well with us when we have food and raiment, when our flocks and herds increase. But, if this is to be well, and we are no better than "this world's goods" can make us, we are well only for time, and as it respects our frail and perishable bodies. In this sense, it was well with Dives. For it to be really well with us, we must come to things which concern the soul, and which have a reference to that eternal state whither we are going. Mark, then, what follows: It is well with us if our souls have been awakened — if we have found forgiveness — if the Lord Jesus Christ be precious to us — and if we be now walking in newness and righteousness of life.

II. WHETHER IT BE THUS WELL WITH YOU? You may, as we have seen, be well as it respects this world and your abiding in it. But, is it well with your souls? Would it be well with you, do you think, if God were now to require your souls of you? Inquire, I pray you. Felt you ever your need of mercy? Has a sensibility of your guiltiness ever constrained you to cry for mercy? Have you, like her who had lost one of her ten pieces of silver, sought for it "til you have found it"? Is your heart "sprinkled from an evil conscience"? What do you love most? Christ or the world? — Christ or sinful pleasure? — Christ or the increase of your temporal wealth and honour? — Christ or yourself? What is your chief joy? The Christian "rejoices in Christ Jesus." Is He the object of your rejoicing? In what way are you living? The way in which we live will most clearly evidence whether we have been awakened, forgiven, and "I accepted in the Beloved," or not; and, consequently, whether it be well with us or not.

(W. Mudge, B. A.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: Run now, I pray thee, to meet her, and say unto her, Is it well with thee? is it well with thy husband? is it well with the child? And she answered, It is well.

WEB: Please run now to meet her, and ask her, 'Is it well with you? Is it well with your husband? Is it well with the child?'" She answered, "It is well."




It is Well
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