CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 921

“Believing God”

Then he said, “Go outside, borrow vessels from all your neighbors, empty vessels and not too few. (2 Kings 4:3)

The widow’s children were about to be taken into slavery by her creditor. She was in a desperate situation with no way out. She had in her possession a small flask of oil, nothing more. So she reached out to Elisha who told her what God would have her do.

How many of us would have believed the Word from God and gone after even one jar? After all, the flask of oil would probably only have coated the bottom of the first jar – what a ridiculous waste of time. Surely there had to be a better way to raise the money needed to keep her children out of slavery and to provide for their needs.

Note Elisha’s admonition to not ask for just a few jars which would have been indicative of a lack of faith and trust in God. What if the widow had doubted but went along anyway to humor the prophet? What if she had only borrowed one or two small jars? Note that the oil stopped flowing when the last jar was filled (verse 6). It would not have been enough. She would have missed God’s best for her by her lack of faith and trust in Him.

Believing in God is not the same as believing God. We may believe He is our creator. We may believe everything the Bible reveals about Him. But do we believe Him? Do we have faith and trust in His Word to us? God says “Do Not Worry” – Do we worry? God says “Do not be afraid” – Are we fearful? God says “Do not doubt” – Do we doubt? God’s Word says ‘”If you do this, I will do that.” Do we ignore some of the tougher exhortations and water down others to fit our desires?

Are you faced with an impossible situation in your family or work? It may be financial or health related. God says that what is impossible with man is possible with Him. …with God all things are possible. (Matthew 19:26)

Can you believe Him? Can you be fully persuaded that God has the power to do what He promises for His children? Believe in Him. Study His Word. Get to know Him intimately as one knows the closest of friends. Believe Him. Take Him at His Word. Act in faith and trust and take the steps He directs for you no matter how illogical they seem to your carnal mind and remember, don’t ask for just a few jars.

No distrust made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith … fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. (Romans 4:20-21)