God Provides

Scripture:  II Kings 4:1-7 - 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. 2And 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 anything in the house, save a pot of oil. 3 Then he said, Go, borrow thee vessels abroad of all thy neighbors, even empty vessels; borrow not a few. 4 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. 5 So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured out. 6 And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed. 7 Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.

During Elisha’s time, the world was unsympathetic to God’s people and the ministry of the Word.  It was tough to be  a believer and to the stand for the things of God.  For many believers it was hard to make ends meet.  Such was the case with the widow in the passage.  She was a believer, and her husband was a prophet – a man of God who was involved in the ministry and teaching of Elisha.  No matter what problems we are facing, there is no problem or need which God cannot meet if we will trust and obey Him.  He loves/cares so much for us. (I Peter 5:7)  This widow cried out to Elisha because the creditor came to take away here two children to be slaves to pay the debt her husband owed.  She was seeking God’s provision through the prophet.  After the widow explained her dilemma, Elisha asked what could he do for her.  Elisha was not concerned with being praised by the widow or anyone else.  The miracles he performed were for edification – not for show.  Elisha asked the widow what she had in her house that could pay off the debt that was owed.  She said she only had a pot of oil.  The Lord wants us to come to Him in faith – trusting that He will supply our needs.  The Lord takes what He gives us – like our talents, gifts and abilities, and multiplies them if we trust Him to do so.  He wants us to turn our lives over to Him -- obeying the principles of His Word.  Elisha told the widow to borrow empty vessels – not a few.  She was not requested to gather a specific number of vessels.  God wanted her to act in faith. The Lord wanted her and He wants us to believe Him for our total needs. You know the rest of the story!  The widow had plenty of oil to sell!  Her debt was paid!  Also, she had enough left for her and her children!  

Do you trust the Lord for all of your needs?  Are there times when you doubt what He can supply for you?  There have been times in my life where my circumstances were so overwhelming, but God provided!!  He always provides for His children.  He may not provide in the way we expect Him to, but He provides above what we can imagine.  (Ephesians 3:20)  Hallelujah!!  He knows what we need.  He even gives us some of our wants.  Psalms 106:15 says “And He gave them their request, but it sent leanness into their soul.  Leanness is lack of spirituality.  Have you ever kept praying over and over again for things you thought you needed, but later found out that what you wanted so bad wasn’t what was best for you?  We have to watch what we pray for.  

No matter what we are going through, remember that God provides. I love the words to Tamela Mann’s song entitled “God Provides”:

God provides, so why do I worry about my life
When you come to my rescue a thousand times
Every other voice it is a lie
God provides

God provides
In ways I can't explain and can't deny
The little that I have He multiplies
Just when I feel He won't show up on time
God provides

He'll come through
When the clouds of doubt rain down on you
And test everything you thought you knew
Now you finally see what God can do, for you

So tonight
Close your eyes
There's no more need to fight
Watch God provide

God provides
It's hard to say when there's no food to eat
Or what you see feels all that life will be
And will this be another year of misery, for me
But my faith, can't survive on just things I see
And my feelings can't control my destiny
See God I only want what you believe, for me

So tonight
Close your eyes
There's no more need to fight, ooh
Watch God provide

Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father:  Thank You so much for providing for me!  Help me to always trust You and never doubt. Help me to be so in tuned with You that I will pray for whatever is Your will for me.  All this I pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

(by Marsha Williams)