I like the occasion in scripture when Elisha provided for a widow in a miraculous (and memorable!) way. She was unable to pay off a loan and the creditor demanded her two sons as bondslaves. In desperation she contacted Elisha the prophet. He said, "What do you have in the house?" The poor woman said, "Nothing, except a pot of oil."
2 Kings 4:3-4 says, "Then he said, "Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbours--empty vessels; do not gather just a few. 4 And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour it into all those vessels, and set aside the full ones." This is a strange directive, isn't it? How could one pot of oil fill so many? The woman wisely did not question the man of God but obeyed. It says in verse 5, "So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured it out." And pour it out she did. As long as there was another pot to pour into, the oil continued to flow. According to her obedience she received oil she sold and paid off the debt, delivering her sons from slavery.
One lesson we can glean from this passage is God will supply all the needs of His people, and He will do it however and whenever He wants. We feel comfortable with money in the bank, with "liquid assets" we can utilise at our convenience so we don't have to trust God. Having a surplus provides a sense of security the flesh craves, but often God provides strength as we need it. We are called to trust God whether we have millions in our account or live paycheck to paycheck - even when there is no paycheck! We make a mistake to limit God by our perceived lack because God has promised to supply our needs. Paul affirmed in Philippians 4:19, "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
When we have God, we have all we need. We are able to experience the fullness of His grace when we trust and obey Him. Praise the LORD how He can take these empty vessels and fill us with His Spirit!
2 Kings 4:3-4 says, "Then he said, "Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbours--empty vessels; do not gather just a few. 4 And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour it into all those vessels, and set aside the full ones." This is a strange directive, isn't it? How could one pot of oil fill so many? The woman wisely did not question the man of God but obeyed. It says in verse 5, "So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured it out." And pour it out she did. As long as there was another pot to pour into, the oil continued to flow. According to her obedience she received oil she sold and paid off the debt, delivering her sons from slavery.
One lesson we can glean from this passage is God will supply all the needs of His people, and He will do it however and whenever He wants. We feel comfortable with money in the bank, with "liquid assets" we can utilise at our convenience so we don't have to trust God. Having a surplus provides a sense of security the flesh craves, but often God provides strength as we need it. We are called to trust God whether we have millions in our account or live paycheck to paycheck - even when there is no paycheck! We make a mistake to limit God by our perceived lack because God has promised to supply our needs. Paul affirmed in Philippians 4:19, "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus."
When we have God, we have all we need. We are able to experience the fullness of His grace when we trust and obey Him. Praise the LORD how He can take these empty vessels and fill us with His Spirit!
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