Read the Word:
2 Kings 4:1-7
Meditate on the Word:
Financial pressure is a fact of life for many, and the problem is not getting better. The continually rising cost of everything from food to utilities and taxes make it increasingly difficult to keep body and soul together. Many struggle with managing debt, whether through their own spending habits or simply from the excessive cost of staying alive. In the United States, about 30,000 homes are foreclosed on every month. Fortunately, unlike our widow in the story, none (at least in the U. S.) are facing their children being taken into slavery.
We do not know if the prophet who had died leaving this widow had been a bad steward of his finances or if he was simply, like many, the victim of a bad economy. It doesn’t matter. What matters is that in her desperation, she talked to Elisha and God provided him with a solution for her. God showed up in a way that only He could. Of course, the neighbors helped by loaning her every empty container they could come up with. But God was the one who provided. He provided not only enough that she could pay off the debts, but that she and her sons could continue to live. This miracle was above and beyond what could have been expected.
Do we trust God to provide when we need it most? Certainly, our poor widow had to get to the point of complete desperation before God provided. Are we willing to accept being at that point to see what our God can do in that situation?
Pray the Word:
Ask our Lord what you should do about your finances. Commit to doing what He would have you to do.
Leave a Reply