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^“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19, ESV)

 “What am I going to do? Obadiah is dead.  He was a good man.  You know he served the Lord. But he didn’t leave me enough money to live on and support the boys.  I can’t pay my bills and now they’re going to take my children from me.  You must help me.”

Imagine the desperation in her voice as she pleaded with the prophet Elisha for help (2 Kings 4:1-7). The legal system in Israel does not allow a person to file for bankruptcy. She would have to give up her sons as indentured servants to her creditor as payment.

Elisha inquires about what she has of value in her house.  She responded, “nothing in the house but a jar of oil.”  Elisha gives her specific instructions to borrow vessels from everywhere.  Then once she has the vessels safely in her home, behind closed doors, she was to start pouring out what little oil she had into the vessels.

It most likely wasn’t the response she wanted to hear. But it didn’t diminish her faith.

Once the vessels were gathered, she poured out the olive oil. Imagine the fear she must have felt.

“Lord, I’m pouring out the only thing I have of value.”

As she poured from her little jar something supernatural took place.  The oil kept flowing until all the vessels were full.

In the end, she had enough jars of olive oil that she was able to sell them and pay off her debts.  It also provided enough income for her to support herself and her sons – keeping them from slavery.

In this situation, the amount of work she did in obedience determined the amount of blessing and provision she received from the miracle.  If she had only collected a small number of jars, there might not have been enough to meet her financial need.

Have you ever had a need you didn’t have the resources to meet?  And this lack was threatening to take away what little you did have? Immediately fear starts to grip us and all we can focus on is what we don’t have.  We forget that God will always meet our needs.  But He won’t always drop manna from heaven like he did for the Israelites. (Exodus 16) His desire is for us to exercise our faith.

It was her great faith in the Lord that led to freedom – a new life for her and her children.

Instead of letting fear paralyze you, let me encourage you today to seek the Lord first and then get busy growing your faith. Little is much with God.

“Father thank you for always providing for us.  Help us to remember that you will always meet our needs.  Teach us to exercise our faith as we trust in you.”

 For His Glory

Laura Holmes   (www.ephraimministries.org)
TRBC Women’s Life