#517: "Desperate” by Jamie MacDonald

Have you ever been in a wilderness season for an extended period of time? I’m in one now, and Jamie MacDonald’s song Desperate resonated deeply with me. When we explore the stories of desperate people in Scripture, we find that God consistently shows up in powerful ways. This week, we follow the example of one such person—the Shunammite woman in 2 Kings—and discover how faith-fueled contentment can coexist with crisis.

Scripture References

• 2 Kings 4:8-37

Key Points

• Desperation comes in many forms. Scripture reveals both positive and negative responses to desperation—such as the woman with the issue of blood versus Esau trading his birthright for a bowl of stew.
• Faith-fueled contentment is not denial. The Shunammite woman’s “all is well” was not a pep talk—it was a declaration rooted in deep faith.
• Desperation doesn’t have to drive you from God—it can drive you to Him. In her moment of crisis, the Shunammite woman didn’t send word—she went to the prophet herself and clung to his feet.
• Unmet desires don’t negate contentment. Even though she didn’t ask for a son, the longing was still there—and God met it. But when the promise seemed lost, she chose action rooted in belief.
• Observing biblical narrative carefully leads to powerful insight. Repetition, character details, and implied time gaps all deepen our understanding of the text and help us engage more fully.

Bible Interaction Tool Exercises (BITEs) Used

• Read in context – Engage with the full narrative in 2 Kings 4:8-37.
• Repetition – Read and re-read the passage to become familiar with the details.
• Make observations – Write down what you notice in the text.
• Use your imagination – Picture the setting and feel the emotions in the scene.
• Define words – Look up and explore both meanings and antonyms.
• Consider the opposite – What does it mean not to be desperate? What does contentment look like?
• Use the SPECK method: 
  • S – Is there a sin to avoid?
  • P – Is there a promise revealed?
  • E – Is there an example to follow?
  • C – Is there a command to obey?
  • K – What should I know about God?

Additional Resources

• Lyrics and chords - New Release Today
• My friend Denise Pass's book Make Up Your Mind and her speaking live on the Shunammite woman has informed this episode - link to Make Up Your Mind
• Free Episode Guide 
• Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link resources - Logos Bible Software Affiliate Link

This Week's Challenge

Read this narrative for yourself in 2 Kings 4:8-37. Give yourself permission to slow down and imagine the details (written, implied, and in between the lines). Read this narrative repetitively and talk about it with a friend. Make some observations and write them down. Then consider what you’ve observed in the Shunammite woman that can serve as an example for your life and respond accordingly. If you’d like a guide to walk you through this, download the free episode gu

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