by Candace Simar

simar@tds.net

Elisha replied to her, "How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?"

"Your servant has nothing there at all," she said, "except a little oil."

Elisha said, "Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side." 2 Kings 4:2-4 NIV

In this passage Elisha asked a needy widow that famous question, "What do you have in your house?" What would motivate the prophet to ask her this? Surely he could have prayed for supernatural provision to fall out of heaven. Why not the lightning bolt out of the blue that caused her cupboards to fill with food? Why not some other way?

Instead, the widow obediently borrowed empty jars from her neighbors and began pouring out the small amount of oil already in her house. The oil miraculously filled every borrowed vessel. Imagine her great joy! She had nothing and suddenly had abundant provision. She sold the oil, paid her debts and had enough to live.

There’s something in the Father’s heart that loves to use what we have. He multiplied the few loaves and fishes, sent tax money in the mouth of a fish, and here caused the oil to keep pouring until all the borrowed bottles were filled. The flowing oil is a sign and wonder of His great love and constant provision, a sign of how He transforms ordinary people into the dream He dreamed for them.

What is your need? What do you have in your house? Ask God to show you how to meet your need. In faith, pour out that last bit of oil and see how God refills your jar. He longs to make a miracle from your ordinary life.

P.S. Maybe your mission today is to loan an empty jar to a neighbor to meet his need.

 © Candace Simar