FAMINE OVER. LOOK! YOUR AFTER HAS COME

Based on 2 Kings 8:3-6

Opening Prayer

Father, we thank You for Your Word that is alive and sharper than any two-edged sword! We declare that every spirit of famine is broken now in the Name of Jesus! Open our eyes to see the 'after' that You have prepared for us. Let the anointing for restoration fall upon every hearer right now! In the mighty Name of Jesus Christ, Amen!

Introduction

Glory to God! Hallelujah! I want you to take a deep breath right now. Lift your hands and say, 'Lord, I am ready for my AFTER!' There is a powerful testimony in 2 Kings chapter 8 that reveals the heartbeat of God for His people. It is the story of a woman whose life was shattered by famine—a severe, devastating famine that lasted seven long years. She lost her husband, her property, her dignity, and her hope. But beloved, listen to me: the famine did NOT have the final say! The Shunammite woman represents every believer who has endured a season of dryness, loss, and delay. But I am here today, under the unction of the Holy Ghost, to declare that YOUR AFTER HAS COME! The Word says in Joel 2:25, 'I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten.' That is not a suggestion—that is a covenant promise! The Shunammite woman left her land during the famine, but when she returned, she found that her property, her inheritance, was still there—and the king himself made sure she got it back with everything that was hers. Today, I am prophesying that every blessing that famine stole from you is being recovered. The King of kings is issuing a decree: 'Give her all that is hers!' Receive it now!

Point 1: THE FAMINE IS A SEASON, NOT A SENTENCE

📖 2 Kings 8:3-4 — "And it came to pass at the end of seven years, that the woman returned out of the land of the Philistines: and she went forth to cry unto the king for her house and for her land. And the king talked with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, Tell me, I pray thee, all the great things that Elisha hath done."

Verse Breakdown:

v3a — "And it came to pass at the end of seven years"
The famine had a timeline! God did not say it would last forever. Seven is the number of completion and perfection. Your season of lack is COMPLETE! The famine ended exactly when God ordained it to end.

v3b — "that the woman returned out of the land of the Philistines"
She left during the famine, but she returned when the famine was over. The Philistines represent the enemy's territory—but she did not stay there! She came back to her inheritance. You are coming back to everything the devil tried to take!

v3c — "and she went forth to cry unto the king for her house and for her land"
She did not sit back passively. She acted! She cried out to the king. There is a prophetic dimension to making your request known. You must open your mouth and declare what is yours!

v4 — "And the king talked with Gehazi the servant of the man of God, saying, Tell me, I pray thee, all the great things that Elisha hath done."
Even as she approached, the king was already hearing about the miracles of God! Divine timing! The king's heart was prepared by the testimony of Elisha. Your testimony is already preparing your breakthrough!

Hear me, child of God! The famine you have experienced is not a permanent sentence upon your life. The Word says in Psalm 30:5, 'Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.' That night has lasted long enough! The Shunammite woman endured seven years—seven years of displacement, seven years of living among strangers, seven years of wondering if she would ever see her home again. But the Scripture says, 'at the end of seven years, she returned.' That means the famine had an expiration date! Your situation has an expiration date too. The devil wants you to believe that this is your new normal—that you will always be in debt, always be sick, always be struggling. But I am here to tell you: that is a lie from the pit of hell! The famine is over. Look! Your after has come.

I want you to see something powerful in verse 4. While the woman was still on her way to the king, the king was already talking to Gehazi about Elisha's miracles. Do you understand what that means? God was already setting the stage for her restoration before she even opened her mouth! The king was curious about the great things Elisha had done. And as Gehazi began to tell the story, guess what story he told? He told the story of the Shunammite woman's son being raised from the dead! Her own testimony was being rehearsed in the king's presence! Beloved, your testimony is already working for you in heaven. The angels are talking about your miracle. The Father is already making preparations for your comeback.

But notice this: the woman did not know what was happening in the palace. She was walking in faith, not by sight. She had no idea that the king was hearing about her miracle even as she approached. That is the mystery of divine timing! You may feel like you are walking alone, but heaven is working behind the scenes. Every step you take in faith is aligning with the plan of God. The Shunammite woman did not let the seven years of silence make her bitter. She did not let the years of waiting make her give up. She returned! And when she returned, the King was ready for her. I declare over your life: the King is ready for you! Heaven has been preparing your restoration. The famine is over. Look! Your after has come!

Let me tell you something about the Philistines. The land of the Philistines represents the enemy's territory—a place of lack, oppression, and bondage. The Shunammite woman went there because of the famine, but she did not stay there permanently. You are not supposed to live in the enemy's camp! You are not supposed to settle for the Philistine lifestyle. God has a land of inheritance for you—your house, your land, your blessing. The famine may have forced you to leave temporarily, but the end of the famine is your cue to return. Return to your inheritance! Return to your health! Return to your finances! Return to your joy! The famine is over. Look! Your after has come!

🔥 Declaration: I declare that every famine in my life is officially over! Seven years or seventy years—God is the God of restoration! I am returning to my inheritance. The enemy's territory is behind me. I am walking into my AFTER right now! In the Name of Jesus!

Point 2: YOUR TESTIMONY IS THE KEY TO YOUR RESTORATION

📖 2 Kings 8:5-6a — "And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman whose son he had restored to life cried to the king for her house and for her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life. And when the king asked the woman, she told him."

Verse Breakdown:

v5a — "And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life"
The testimony of resurrection was being spoken! The king was hearing about life being restored to a dead body. That is the kind of testimony that opens heaven's windows!

v5b — "that, behold, the woman whose son he had restored to life cried to the king for her house and for her land"
At the exact moment the testimony was being spoken, the woman arrived! Divine alignment! Her cry for restoration met the king's ear at the perfect time.

v5c — "And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life."
Gehazi identified her! Her past miracle became the evidence for her present restoration. The same God who raised her son would now restore her land.

v6a — "And when the king asked the woman, she told him."
She told her story! She did not remain silent. She gave her testimony. When you speak your testimony, you activate the power of God for your next miracle!

This is where the Holy Ghost takes over! Look at the divine orchestration! The king is sitting on his throne, and Gehazi is telling him about the great things Elisha has done. He is testifying about the resurrection of a dead boy. And at that very moment—at that EXACT moment—the woman walks in! Glory to God! The testimony of her past miracle was being spoken, and she walked into the room! Your testimony is not just a story of what God did yesterday—it is the key that unlocks what God will do today! The Bible says in Revelation 12:11, 'And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.' Your testimony has overcoming power! When you speak of what God has done, you are activating the same anointing that performed that miracle to move in your present situation.

Notice what Gehazi says: 'This is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life.' He identified her by her miracle! Your miracle becomes your identity! You are not defined by your famine—you are defined by your resurrection! The Shunammite woman was known as the woman whose son was raised from the dead. She was not known as the woman who lost her land. The devil wants you to be known by your loss, but God wants you to be known by your restoration! When you walk into a room, people should not see a victim—they should see a victor! They should see someone whose God is bigger than any famine!

Then the king asked her, and she told him. She told her story! She did not hide her testimony! Some of you have been through battles, and you have kept quiet about what God did for you. But the Bible says, 'Let the redeemed of the Lord say so!' (Psalm 107:2). When you speak your testimony, you are not just encouraging others—you are positioning yourself for greater blessings. The Shunammite woman's testimony of her son's resurrection opened the door for her land to be restored. Your testimony of healing will open the door for your financial restoration! Your testimony of deliverance will open the door for your family's restoration! Do not be silent! Shout it from the rooftops!

I want you to see the sequence here. First, the testimony of resurrection was spoken. Second, the woman appeared. Third, she told her story. Fourth, the king acted. Your testimony creates an atmosphere for restoration. When you speak of what God has done, heaven leans in to listen. Angels are activated. The King of kings begins to move. So I am asking you today: What is your testimony? What has God done for you? Have you been healed? Have you been delivered? Have you been provided for? Speak it! Declare it! Your testimony is the key to your restoration! The famine is over. Look! Your after has come!

🔥 Declaration: I declare that my testimony is my weapon! I speak of the great things God has done, and as I speak, my restoration is activated! I am identified by my miracle, not by my loss. My past victory is the guarantee of my present breakthrough! In the Name of Jesus!

Point 3: THE KING COMMANDS TOTAL RESTORATION

📖 2 Kings 8:6b — "So the king appointed unto her a certain officer, saying, Restore all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now."

Verse Breakdown:

v6b1 — "So the king appointed unto her a certain officer"
The king did not just give a verbal blessing—he appointed an officer to execute the restoration. Heaven has assigned angels to bring your restoration to pass!

v6b2 — "saying, Restore all that was hers"
The king commanded total restoration—not partial, not some, but ALL. God does not do half-hearted restoration. He gives you back everything the enemy stole!

v6b3 — "and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now"
This is the supernatural part! Not only did she get her land back, but she also received all the income it would have produced during the seven years of famine. God restores the years the locust has eaten!

This is the climax of the story! The king did not just give her sympathy—he gave her a decree! He said, 'Restore all that was hers, AND all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now.' That is supernatural restoration! The king commanded that she receive not only her property but also the income she lost during the seven years of famine. Glory to God! The devil thought he had stolen seven years of her life, but God said, 'I am giving you back every single day, every single harvest, every single blessing that was lost.'

Do you understand what this means for you? The enemy has tried to steal your time, your health, your finances, your relationships, your peace. But God is not a God of partial restoration—He is a God of total restoration! The Bible says in Joel 2:25, 'I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm.' That is not just a promise—that is a decree! The King of kings has appointed an officer—the Holy Spirit—to execute your restoration. He is saying, 'Restore all that was hers! Restore the years of sickness! Restore the years of poverty! Restore the years of depression! Restore the years of brokenness!' Receive it now!

I want you to notice the phrase 'all that was hers.' The king did not say, 'Give her a new piece of land.' He said, 'Restore all that was HERS.' Your inheritance is already yours! It has been waiting for you. The land was still there. The house was still there. The enemy may have occupied it temporarily, but he could not change the ownership. Your healing is already yours! Your financial breakthrough is already yours! Your marital restoration is already yours! The enemy may have tried to take it, but he cannot change the title deed. In the Name of Jesus, I decree that every blessing that belongs to you is being restored right now!

And then there is the phrase 'all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now.' This is the part that makes the devil tremble! Not only did she get her land back, but she also got the produce that the land would have yielded during the seven years of famine. That means God is giving you back the interest on your stolen years! He is not just bringing you back to where you were—He is bringing you to a place of abundance that surpasses what you lost! The Shunammite woman did not just get her house back—she got seven years of harvest! Your latter shall be greater than your former!

Let me tell you something about the officer the king appointed. He was a 'certain officer'—a specific person assigned to this task. Heaven has assigned specific angels to your restoration. The Bible says in Hebrews 1:14 that angels are 'ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation.' Your angels are working right now! They are gathering the fruits of the field. They are bringing back everything the enemy stole. They are preparing your restoration. Do not doubt it! The King has spoken. The officer is appointed. The restoration is in motion. The famine is over. Look! Your after has come!

🔥 Declaration: I declare that the King has spoken over my life! Total restoration is my portion! I receive back everything the enemy stole—with interest! My years of famine are turned into years of abundance. The officer of heaven is executing my restoration right now! In the Name of Jesus!

Point 4: YOUR AFTER IS BIGGER THAN YOUR BEFORE

📖 2 Kings 8:6c — "So the king appointed unto her a certain officer, saying, Restore all that was hers, and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now."

Verse Breakdown:

v6c1 — "Restore all that was hers"
The restoration was complete. She did not lose a single thing permanently. God's restoration is always complete and total.

v6c2 — "and all the fruits of the field since the day that she left the land, even until now"
This is the 'after' that is bigger than the 'before.' She received more than she originally had. God always gives you more than you lost!

Glory to God! The Shunammite woman's story ends with her receiving more than she had before the famine. She did not just get her land back—she got the fruits of the field for seven years! Her after was bigger than her before! And I am here to tell you that your after is going to be bigger than your before! The Bible says in Job 42:12, 'So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning.' That is your portion! The latter end of your life will be more blessed than the beginning. The famine may have taken much, but God is giving you more!

Think about it. The Shunammite woman lost her husband during the famine? The Scripture does not say that—but she was a widow. She lost her land. She lost her security. She lost her dignity. But when the famine ended, she did not just get her land back—she got seven years of harvest! That is the God we serve! He does not just bring you back to where you were—He propels you forward! He does not just heal you—He makes you stronger than before! He does not just restore your finances—He makes you a lender to nations! Your after is going to be so great that you will forget the pain of the famine!

I want you to see something prophetic in this. The number seven represents completion and perfection. The famine lasted seven years. The restoration included seven years of fruits. God was not just restoring what was lost—He was completing a cycle of perfection. Your famine was not a waste—it was a setup for your perfection. The trials you went through were preparing you for the abundance that is coming. You are not the same person you were before the famine! You have been refined. You have been strengthened. You have been made wiser. And now, God is going to give you an 'after' that reflects your new level of faith and maturity.

Let me prophesy over your life right now. I see your after coming! I see the harvest of the seven years! I see the land being restored! I see the house being rebuilt! I see the health being renewed! I see the finances being multiplied! The famine is over! Look! Your after has come! Do not look back at the famine—look forward to the harvest! The enemy wanted to destroy you, but God has turned it around for your good. Your after is bigger than your before!

I dare you to believe it! I dare you to receive it! Lift your hands right now and say, 'Lord, I receive my after! I receive the harvest of the years the locust has eaten! I receive total restoration! I receive abundance! I receive the latter end that is greater than the beginning!' Glory to God! The famine is over. Look! Your after has come!

🔥 Declaration: I declare that my after is bigger than my before! The latter end of my life is more blessed than the beginning. I receive the harvest of the seven years. I receive abundance, multiplication, and supernatural increase. The famine is over. My after has come! In the Name of Jesus!

Altar Call

If you are here today and you have been through a famine—a season of loss, a season of dryness, a season of waiting—I want you to come forward right now. Come to this altar and receive your restoration. The King is calling you. He has appointed an officer for your case. He is saying, 'Restore all that is hers. Restore all that is his.' Do not let pride keep you in your seat. Do not let shame keep you from receiving. God is not ashamed of you—He is proud of you for making it through the famine! Come forward and let the Holy Ghost touch your life. If you have never given your life to Jesus Christ, today is your day of salvation. The famine of sin is over. The famine of emptiness is over. Jesus is your after! He died so that you could have life—abundant, overflowing, eternal life. Come to Him today and receive your restoration. The altar is open. The King is waiting. Come!

Closing Prayer

Father, we thank You for Your faithfulness. We thank You that the famine is over and our after has come. We pray for every person who has come to this altar—touch them with Your restoring power. Heal their bodies. Restore their finances. Mend their relationships. Give them the harvest of the seven years. In the Name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

🔥 Final Declaration: I decree and declare that from this day forward, you will walk in supernatural restoration! The famine of the past is completely broken. Your after has come! You will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. You will eat the fruit of your inheritance. You will be a testimony of God's restoring power. Go in peace, and let the restoration begin! In the mighty Name of Jesus Christ! Hallelujah!

📌 Key Scriptures: 2 Kings 8:3-6 | Joel 2:25 | Job 42:12 | Psalm 30:5 | Revelation 12:11

⛪ Christ Embassy Church Ho- Loveworld Arena 📍 Ho Barracks Newtown, Off Glory Gas Road, Ho, Volta Region, Ghana, Ho, Ghana
🔗 Join us: https://cybev.io/join/christ-embassy-church-ho-loveworld-arena

This sermon was preached by Prince Dike at Christ Embassy Church Ho- Loveworld Arena.