Yes, we’re back at 2 Kings 4:1-7, with the familiar account of the woman with nothing but a pot of oil. I was getting ready to close up shop when the thought hit me about the widowed woman. Previously, we’ve talked about how she didn’t have anything except a pot of oil. Then we discussed the importance of her shutting the door, keep pouring, and how God blessed her with a successful business. But today, what hit my heart is that the widow woman was chosen.
There are some scenarios in life that you just won’t know the full impact and significance of God’s mighty move if you don’t experience the burden or trial that you’re in. Who wouldn’t want to skip the fiery furnace of grief coupled with financial devastation? But sometimes God tucks in opportunities of seeing His hand move so mightily under those harsh circumstances.
The widow wouldn’t have experienced firsthand what following the prophet’s directions would do with that single pot of oil. She found out that God worked for her and her sons. Not for her husband – not that she would have minded if it had been by his hands. But it wasn’t his faithfulness, prayer, or obedience that produced the results she’d see and embrace. It was by her hands – she didn’t choose to be the one, God did!
He could have caused her husband to set up everything for her before he left – an insurance policy of sorts. I could visualize the conversation. I know I’m going to die, but I don’t want to leave you and the boys in financial disarray. Honey, I’ve set aside a lot of extra vessels, so when I die, you use this single pot of oil, pour the oil into every vessel, sell it, pay off any remaining debts, and live off the profits.
God didn’t allow that. Sometimes we’re frustrated because we are forced to deal with things that could have prevented us from having to work through the issue. Instead, He chose you!
So, after the tears, do what God told you to do! He has made a way for you to come out of the trial in victory!
Yes, you have to obey God! Yes, you have to trust God to walk through the instructions He’s given you.
No, you can’t ask others to trust God for you!
Yes, her neighbors did help out, but they could only do so much!
They weren’t supposed to help her pour. The prophet told her to shut the door on her and her sons, and pour! In private! No cheerleaders, no encouragers, no support outside of the home – none of that was part of God’s plan. She had to do it without outside influencers. Just her, her sons, countless empty vessels, one pot of oil, and a word!
I don’t know who this is for, but the Lord is not going to allow you to miss pouring out the miracle He’s selected you to experience. It’s by your hands He has deemed – not someone else’s – your hands will pour from that single pot of oil. You will see the miracle of multiplication come about through your obedience. Of course, it doesn’t make sense! It’s not supposed to – it’s God moving!
Whoever can’t do it, wasn’t supposed to do it – you are! So, stop grumbling about why didn’t God do x, y, and z! He will perform His word through your hands. He showed the widow what He would do for her without her husband! And He wants to show you what He will do with you – you will know Jesus for yourself! Just keep pouring from that singular pot of oil.
4 Now there cried a certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets unto Elisha, saying, Thy servant my husband is dead; and thou knowest that thy servant did fear the Lord: and the creditor is come to take unto him my two sons to be bondmen.2 And Elisha said unto her, What shall I do for thee? tell me, what hast thou in the house? And she said, Thine handmaid hath not any thing in the house, save a pot of oil.3 Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few.4 And when thou art come in, thou shalt shut the door upon thee and upon thy sons, and shalt pour out into all those vessels, and thou shalt set aside that which is full.5 So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out.6 And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed.7 Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest. (2 Kings 4:1-7 KJV)
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (Jeremiah 29:11 KJV)
In the Master’s Service,
Author/Pastor Michele D Robertson
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:28-29 (KJV)