II Kings 4:1-7
Tucked away in II Kings Chapter 4 is a story about a woman who had recently lost her husband. Surely, he had been to her a protector, provider and friend. When we pick up her story we find her broken and in a state of desperation as she is now in danger of losing her sons. It is from this place she begins to call on the Prohet Elisha to help her. The Prophet responds to her cry with a question, which seemingly caught her off guard. He asked "what do you have in the house?" And without ever taking full inventory she replies "thine handmaid has nothing except this pot of oil."
While it was the right thing for this woman to ask for help she completely discounted, miscalculated and devalued what she already had in her possesion. No doubt she had used that same oil to anoint the heads of her husband and children when they were sick, prepare the family's meals, and light the lamps in her house. Still somehow she had forgotten its usefulness.
Tucked away in II Kings Chapter 4 is a story about a woman who had recently lost her husband. Surely, he had been to her a protector, provider and friend. When we pick up her story we find her broken and in a state of desperation as she is now in danger of losing her sons. It is from this place she begins to call on the Prohet Elisha to help her. The Prophet responds to her cry with a question, which seemingly caught her off guard. He asked "what do you have in the house?" And without ever taking full inventory she replies "thine handmaid has nothing except this pot of oil."
While it was the right thing for this woman to ask for help she completely discounted, miscalculated and devalued what she already had in her possesion. No doubt she had used that same oil to anoint the heads of her husband and children when they were sick, prepare the family's meals, and light the lamps in her house. Still somehow she had forgotten its usefulness.
In addition, she had forgotten her own resourcefulness. She forgot how she could stretch a meal when there was not enough. She forgot about the unconventional ways she found to remove stains from her children's clothing, and how she had used a home remedy to cure an upset stomach. So she counted it as having nothing. Many times when we find ourselves broken and alone we feel as if there is nothing left.
God through the Prophet Elisha reminded this woman that he was her everlasting source. Even when she had lost the thing which was once there to support her God was standing by to catch her when it failed. She learned, it is in the place of emptiness that God increases the oil of his presence to sustain us.
It takes a greater level of the anointing to recover from a loss such as this. It takes a greater level of the anointing to walk alone and it takes a greater level of the anointing to minister to others out of your place of emptiness. Yet this is what this woman, widow and mother was able to accomplish when she gave all she had left to God. It is said that little becomes much when you place it into the the Master's hand.
If in this hour you are having to contend with loss, being alone, sadness, etc. (whatever it might be at this time) place it in His hand. Stop worrying and know that this is an opportunity for God to increase the oil of His presence in your life.
Expect Him to Do it,
Rev. Melva J. McGlen
God through the Prophet Elisha reminded this woman that he was her everlasting source. Even when she had lost the thing which was once there to support her God was standing by to catch her when it failed. She learned, it is in the place of emptiness that God increases the oil of his presence to sustain us.
It takes a greater level of the anointing to recover from a loss such as this. It takes a greater level of the anointing to walk alone and it takes a greater level of the anointing to minister to others out of your place of emptiness. Yet this is what this woman, widow and mother was able to accomplish when she gave all she had left to God. It is said that little becomes much when you place it into the the Master's hand.
If in this hour you are having to contend with loss, being alone, sadness, etc. (whatever it might be at this time) place it in His hand. Stop worrying and know that this is an opportunity for God to increase the oil of His presence in your life.
Expect Him to Do it,
Rev. Melva J. McGlen
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