Over the past few weeks I have been studying the life and ministry of Elisha in 2 Kings. I truly learn so much by every verse. I believe I could write a novel on what God is teaching me for every chapter in this book of the Bible. It amazes me how God is still the same God today that He was thousands of years ago, and that the people then are truly no different than I.
One passage in particular is a six verse account in chapter 6 of a miracle involving an ax head. In the story, Elisha accompanies the servants to build a place to meet. As they were cutting down trees, one man drops an iron ax head into the water. He cries out to the Lord because he had actually borrowed the ax from someone else and now it appeared gone forever. Elisha heard the man’s cry and threw a piece of wood in the water and, by a miracle from the Lord, the ax floated. As I read this short story, I cannot help but identify with the poor servant who accidentally dropped the ax. I can almost feel his anxiety as he lost something and had no control to retrieve it. Yet I so admire Him because his first reaction was to cry out to the Lord. It begs the question, how often in the midst of a trial or difficult circumstance, no matter the caliber, do I cry out to the Lord and seek help from Him immediately? Sadly, it seems easier to dwell in my pit of despair and wallow in self pity as I try to fix the situation on my own before I come ashamedly before the Throne and ask God for help. How sharply my reaction contrasts to the servant in this story. What would it be like to come before God void of pride and a spirit of defeat; instead possessing a reverent attitude and complete assurance in His abilities. What is we truly live out Hebrews 4:16, and in the midst of difficult circumstances, we instead “approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” just as the servant did.
Perhaps my favorite part of this passage is the reassurance that God works even in the mundane, everyday happenings in our life. The ax head floating is a miracle that was performed by God, through Elisha, for His people. It shows that God cares and will provide for those who have faith in Him, even in the common, seemingly insignificant events. He is omnipresent. How awesome it is to know that I serve a God who sees no trouble too small to work in. I realize I must look for God in my life even in my menial tasks. I pray that I will recognize His presence in every aspect of my life and thank Him for the times when He reveals His glory even in the smallest details.
No comments:
Post a Comment