“Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried to Elisha, ‘Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord, but the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.’ And Elisha said to her, ‘What shall I do for you? Tell me; what have you in the house?’ And she said, ‘Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.’ Then he said, ‘Go outside, borrow vessels from all your neighbors, empty vessels and not too few. Then go in and shut the door behind yourself and your sons and pour into all these vessels. And when one is full, set it aside.’ So she went from him and shut the door behind herself and her sons. And as she poured they brought the vessels to her. When the vessels were full, she said to her son, ‘Bring me another vessel.’ And he said to her, ‘There is not another.’ Then the oil stopped flowing. She came and told the man of God, and he said, ‘Go, sell the oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on the rest.’” 2 Kings 4:1-7
“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Philippians 3:20-21
The widow’s situation was grave, a pivotal nadir between a hard life and impending death. The neighbors’ pots seem insignificant- nondescript, unused, borrowed. Between the two and bringing them together is a man of God who is willing to trust for big and small, to the unveiling of God’s magnanimous power and intimate, personal care. Faith brought enough oil to sustain a hope-filled future.
God’s ability meets our insufficiency in unexpected and beautiful ways all through our days. His greatness meets our minutiae, His permanent meets our transient, His everlasting our momentary. We have needs small and great, some with minimal potential effect, others life-altering. Certain issues weigh heavy, others nag and irritate. Some fears shout and manhandle, others whisper and pester. The Lord knows them all, and is ready to meet with particular supply and balm as we bring them to Him. (Matthew 6:8; 2 Corinthians 4:17-18)
What circumstances currently poke, or are threatening to choke? Where have small decisions turned into big problems that need an even bigger fix? What is a current financial, relational, or health impossible that desperately needs God’s possible? Will we seek out the One who knows every detail, confidently offer our finite faith, and bring our jars for Him to fill? Then will we thank and praise Him for working to His glorious ends?
“This is my Father’s world:
O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world:
Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King: let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let earth be glad!” ~Maltbie D. Babcock (1901)
Lord, may I keep taking You my every concern, and expectantly, joyfully trust Your best and bounty with them all so You are magnified.
As the rain and snow 