9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are blameless toward Him. (For those whose heart is completely His) 2 Chronicles 16 AMPC/AMP
The God of Heaven and Earth is looking for people to show Himself strong on behalf of, what a fantastic God we serve.
I was reading about one of the miracles of Elisha this morning, (Remember he asked for the DOUBLE PORTION OF ELIJAH’S ANOINTING), where God did just this for a poor widow and her two sons. The widow was in debt and had no way of repaying her husband’s creditor, who was coming to take her two sons as payment. She’d lost her husband and now she could lose her boys as well.
2 Elisha replied to her, ‘How can I help you? TELL ME, WHAT DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR HOUSE?’
‘Your servant has nothing there at all,’ she said, ‘except a small jar of olive oil.’ 2 Kings 4
God asked Moses a very similar question when he first met him in the desert, ‘what’s in your hand Moses?’. Just my shepherd’s rod and for this lady, just some oil. The issue is not the little we have but what is God going to do with it! Moses’ rod eventually closed the Red Sea over Pharaoh and all his chariots, the end of a great army of the day.
Elisha told the woman what to do with her small jar of oil and the way her miracle would take place.
3 Elisha said, ‘Go round and ask all your neighbours for empty jars. DON’T ASK FOR JUST A FEW. 4 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.’
This woman had to step out in Faith, THE AMOUNT SHE ASKED FOR WOULD DETERMINE THE SIZE OF HER PROVISION! THE PROPHET TOLD HER NOT TO ASK SMALL BUT TO ASK FOR A LOT OF JARS and she followed his instructions. We can limit God’s provision by our small faith, but this lady must have asked everyone she could. The next step is interesting in light of her going from house to house pleading for empty jars.
5 She left him and SHUT THE DOOR BEHIND HER AND HER SONS. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. 6 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.
The widow had to ask publicly for the jars (HER PART) and I’m sure people wanted to know why she needed them, but now the miracle Elisha pronounced happened behind closed doors. She’d done her part and now the oil multiplied before her and her sons, the ones who desperately needed the miracle – God showed Himself strong to those in need.
7 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.’ 2 Kings 4
God’s supply would meet their future needs as well as paying off their debt. God wants to show Himself strong on your behalf today, take courage and ask Him for help in your crisis. He cares for you!
May the Lord bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.