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“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” Isaiah 61:1 (NIV)

We’ve all been there; each in her own way. Discouraged, at rope’s end: no hope; desperate; alone. Our efforts were supposed to result in fruit. Our faith was sure to bring forth a happy ending. But the end appears to be here and it’s not happy. Oh yes, even those of the Bible had days like this.

The widow in 2 Kings was no ordinary woman. In a land overtaken with evil, her husband had set himself apart as one of the company of the prophets, a loyal follower of God. She likely was accustomed to hearing of God’s heart towards His people. Knowing full well God’s compassion on His people and the efforts taken to free His children from Egyptian slavery. But now, her husband deceased, the creditors were coming to take her sons into a slavery of their own.

The answer? Empty jars. Her own and her neighbors; all that could be found. Inviting others to participate in God’s workings. In obedience, the emptiness was gathered.

And shemen flowed. Shemen, the Hebrew word for oil, is used 192 times in the Old Testament. Oil was a sign of the Lord’s blessing. Sanctification practices and consecrations of priests included the anointing of oil. Oil was symbolic of the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Empty. Pour. Set aside. Empty. Pour. Set aside. Bring the emptiness. Watch the pouring of oil. And continue. Each and every jar filled. From emptiness to abundance. The widow had enough funds to pay her debts and future expenses. There would be no slavery for this family.

Rather than effort and expectations, may it be our emptiness that we bring to the Lord. In obedience, may we follow His commands and statutes. Allow ourselves to be filled with the oil of the Holy Spirit: pure, stable and holy. And each good fruit will become ours. Faith to see the inexplicable will become a way of life. And, freedom will prevent our captivity.

“Father, you are a Good and Holy God who wants only the best for me. The answers lie not in my own understanding but in You. Holy Spirit fill me that I would have no lack.”

For His Glory

Kathryn Hayman
TRBC Women’s Life