Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbours, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. 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.
2 Kings 4:3-4 KJV
Elisha’s instructions violate common sense and the laws of physics. The one pot of oil, the only item of significance in the widow’s house, will fill empty vessels. Borrowed vessels at that.
Elisha is careful to tell her to borrow a large number of empty pots. God’s provision is endless. There really isn’t capacity to contain what God can give.
At each door, an urgent knock sounds out. “Can we borrow all of your empty oil vessels?” The unused capacity of the neighborhood, if not village, is collected as an act of faith.
The empty is about to become full. Where there is lack, there will be supply. More than the widow’s house could hold. More than the town can contain.
Sometimes, you borrow. And no matter how much storage, or expertise, or capacity, or capability you get in your hands, God will over-run what you have prepared. You won’t hold all that God will provide, but you want your share.
It’s an act of faith to prepare so outlandishly. Keep in mind, God delights in providing for His people. I’d borrow from one more neighbor if I were you.
Think: God always provides, more than we can hold.
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. 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.
2 Kings 4:1-2 KJV
Allow me to call this widow, unnamed in Scripture, “Beulah.” She came seeking miracle provision. She took proactive steps to resolve the debt that threatened her family.
Beulah didn’t expect Elisha to mystically learn of her situation. She didn’t expect God to send both revelation and resources from out of the blue. Violating the custom and mores of her time, she approached the prophet of God directly.
Despite her debts, she hadn’t come empty handed. God is a provider. He also sometimes multiplies His previous provision.
Elisha’s questions pointed past the obvious need to the miraculous solution. A solution that started in something Beulah already owned. Commonplace and mundane, a pot of oil would become a miracle of provision and supply.
No matter what you think you lack, God has already provided. Be open to to what God wants to do with what you already have. God provides; past, present and future.
Think: There is already provision and supply in your house.
And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
Genesis 22:16-17 KJV
God looked around for a binding authority. He wanted an agency or authority by which He could take an oath. His omniscient eye peered out through all time and space and saw no thing and no one worthy.
Determined, God placed his omnipotent Hand upon His own Word. He swore an oath, invoking Himself. He chose to bind Himself in promise to a mere mortal as an expression of His own faithfulness.
Of course, it’s easy for God. There is no group, agency or government that can block His agenda. There is no circumstance, past, present or future, that can surprise Him. There is no circumstance that can exceed His resources.
When God promises, it does not matter who else says “yes” or “no.” When God promises, no one and no thing can force Him to change. All that remains is the exact date and time of delivery.
Look through Scripture. God has made promises to you. Do you accept?
Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
Deuteronomy 7:9 KJV
I don’t question the nature or presence of air. Air is. I assume air. I know that air will always be there.
I don’t question the nature or presence of God. God is. I assume God. I know that God will always be there.
Of course I am limited, fallible and imperfect. This condition is know as “human.” Too often, I ascribe human characteristics to God.
God is so much better than human. And despite that, He loves us. You would think men and women would return the favor.
God has always been. He will always be. In between unending and forever, He is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent.
I can count on God. He is God, even when I can’t count on someone else. God is God, especially when I can’t count on myself.
God keeps His promises. No situation can surprise Him. No circumstance can surpass Him.
You don’t need to question what God can do. You don’t need to question whether or not He will be there. All you need to do is love Him. He’ll take care of the rest.
Think: God is the only One I can count on.
Pray: “Lord, You are God. That is why I choose to trust You.”
And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.
1 Kings 19:7-8 KJV
God has plans for you. Surprising, extraordinary designs to benefit others through your life. Since God is a big God, His plans for you are large and out-sized.
God’s great and glorious plans are, in fact, too big for you. In a single day, the nation of Israel had returned to the true worship of God at Mt. Carmel. In the days following the “juniper tree incident,” Elijah would appoint kings and shape the future of Israel and other nations.
All of it, even for a prophet of Elijah’s stature, too much for a single man. Elijah needed the supernatural sustenance and support of God, to do the work of God. Faithfully, God provided just what Elijah needed to continue in his appointed tasks.
God’s plans are too big for you. With the plans, He has also provided the strength you need to see them through. Wake up and take in the strength that God has provided for you. You have a great journey ahead.
Think: God is my source and supply in every task.
Pray: “Lord, I choose to trust Your plans and provision.”
