Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Your Supply Will Not Run Out

(2 Kings 4:1-7)

As we turn from 2010 to 2011 many in our communities are concerned about their future supply. Many are unemployed and/or have accumulated debt that they cannot pay. These situations can open a door to fear, doubt and unbelief. They can also become an opportunity to open a door to a new way of living, at a new level of faith, obedience, wisdom, growth and relationship with the Lord Jehovah Jireh, our provider.

I would like to review a story from the scripture about a poor widow who had two sons and was in debt. It appears that her deceased husband must have been the son of one of the prophets in the day of Elisha. She has come to Elisha to seek his counsel concerning her need. Creditors had come to take her two sons as slaves (v.1). Interestingly, Elisha asks the woman "What do you have in the house?"(v.2). He did not ask about what she owed the creditors but rather what God had blessed her with. It was in that place she would find her supply, oil.

May you and I LOOK and SEE the place of blessing...especially when in a time of great need. It is in the place of blessing, it is where God's presence is evident we shall find our supply.

Next Elisha advised her to borrow vessels from her neighbors (v. 3). I am guessing that this meant she was to humble herself and seek help from the body of believers who lived near her, those with whom she had fellowship. She was told to ask for items that likely were commonplace and would not shift her burden to neighbors, yet they could become partners in the releasing of her supply. The widow responded in obedience. Her neighbors did as well and provided the needed vessels.

May you and I humble ourselves in this New Year, respond in obedience to the Lord, and partner with Him where and how He is doing a work in our lives and in the lives of those in His church. Let us be generous in our giving.

Next she had to go into her home, shut the door behind her and her sons and begin to pour out her supply (v. 4). Sounds like she had to trust in God. By faith and in obedience she began to fill the borrowed vessels. Every vessel was filled with the oil.

May our households be faithful to quiet time with our God. May we shut the door to the empty promises of the world. May we move by faith. Let us put our trust in the Lord our God and step forward in obedience.

Next she returned to Elisha and explained what had happened. He told her to "Go, sell the oil and pay your debt and you and your sons can live on the rest"(v. 7).

Please consider that your supply will not run out. In fact the supply that God has blessed you with can multiply. Make His presence central in your life. Seek His face and His strategy for your supply. You too, not unlike the widow of 2 Kings 4, may discover that as you look to Jehovah Jireh your provider, as you move from a place of fear, doubt and unbelief and give thanks for your blessings, your eyes will truly open. You will see and have the gift of faith to move humbly and obediently into the plan God has for you and your household. You will pay your debts and you shall live on the rest.

Jehovah Jireh, our provider...His grace is sufficient for you, He shall supply all of your needs, and He cares for you.

Have a blessed 2011.

Patricia L. Wenzel
WOC Graduate

DIGGING DEEPER
James 1
2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

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