“The wife of a man from the company
of the prophets cried out to Elisha, ‘Your servant my husband is dead, and you
know that he revered the LORD. But now his creditor is coming to take my two
boys as his slaves.’ Elisha replied to her, ‘How can I help you? Tell me, what
do you have in your house?’ 2 Kings 4:1-7.
‘Your servant has nothing there at all,’ she said, ‘except a little oil.’
‘Your servant has nothing there at all,’ she said, ‘except a little oil.’
Elisha said, ‘Go around and ask all
your neighbours for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. Then go inside and
shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each
is filled, put it to one side.’
She left him and afterward shut the
door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept
pouring. When all the jars were full, she said to her son, ‘Bring me another
one.’
But he replied, ‘There is not a jar
left.’
Then the oil stopped flowing. She
went and told the man of God, and he said, ‘Go, sell the oil and pay your
debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.’”
At the place where you have nothing
at all, in your desperation, look and see the “little oil” that you have, not
what you don’t have. It may be- a financial need, or - the grace to handle a
difficult person, or- the courage to try something new.
Your identity may be at stake,
because in the Old Testament world when a woman’s husband died, she lost her
identity and standing in the community. Do not major on your inadequacy or
lack. Don’t bind yourself with, “I can’t...” “It’s impossible...” “I’ll never
be able to…”
Look into the face of God, listen
for his voice, and follow his instruction. Whatever He says, do it quickly and
thoroughly.
Gather “empty jars,” as many as He
says. Behind closed doors, in your prayer closet, present the vessels to Him in
the secret place.The widow poured oil into each one
until it was full. Keep doing whatever God says. The
oil flowed until all the vessels were filled, as many as the widow presented to
God. Today be blessed to know that whatever “jars” of your emptiness you present,
God will fill them full with provision for today and for the future.
Watch over this process of obedience
to Him. The wise widow did not tell the neighbours what she was doing.Some people cannot understand your
journey. Everyone does not see what you see or have the relationship with God
that you have. You are uniquely in process with Him.
Others may try to talk you out of your faith, or discourage you, or make you feel inadequate and unworthy. Listen to God and protect His communication with you by knowing when to speak and when to be silent.
Others may try to talk you out of your faith, or discourage you, or make you feel inadequate and unworthy. Listen to God and protect His communication with you by knowing when to speak and when to be silent.
Be confident that your Father takes
good care of what is His. Sparrows find nesting places, and panting deer find
water.
You are more valuable than all of
these. Matthew 6:26.
He numbers the hairs on your head,
and He knows your needs. Matthew 6:32.
He promises to feed you with the
finest wheat and satisfy you with honey from the rock. Psalm 81:16.
He Himself is your provision. Be blessed
in His daily blessings, answered prayers, and undeserved favours.
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