The stories of Elisha in 2 Kings are remarkable for both the miraculous and the common everyday things they are about. I wanted to "muse" on that a bit.
Most of my life is common, everyday kind of things. Read, talk, go... get groceries, gas, stop for this or that...errands, tasks to finish, or begin... awake and doing... and then awake and eating... and then awake and resting... a good 16 to 18 hours before it's time to sleep...and then awake and start all over again.
My days begin with reading and prayers. Prayers to God for my life, needs for forgiveness, requests for health and safety, and for my family... Linda, the kids and their families...my grandchildren and children. Also, prayers for friends, especially when needs are present. Health is always a part of my prayers for those who are in need.
Everyday life...it's usually very normal, without drama, and, while often busy, full, still normal.
Then there are those times, days, when the normal seems to fall away and life is interrupted by the "why did this have to happen now"? Sickness moves in, important matters become vital, crucial, and difficult. It can be as annoying as the refrigerator went out; and it can be as painful as the diagnosis came in.
We wonder...does God know? Yes. Does God care? Yes. I believe both are answered with Yes. The story of Elisha in 2 Kings illustrates just how mundane life's needs can be...
2 Kings 6:1-7
1 Now
the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “See, the place where we dwell under
your charge is too small for us. 2 Let us
go to the Jordan and each of us get there a log, and let us make a place for us
to dwell there.” And he answered, “Go.” 3
Then one of them said, “Be pleased to go with your servants.” And
he answered, “I will go.” 4 So he went
with them. And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. 5 But as one was felling a log, his axe head fell
into the water, and he cried out, “Alas, my master! It was borrowed.” 6 Then the man of God said, “Where did it fall?”
When he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there and made
the iron float. 7 And he said, “Take it
up.” So he reached out his hand and took it.
...and made the iron float... that's the key... the impossible became possible. What do we do when the axehead in our life falls into the water and disappears? We are tempted to think of things as impossible to change. "It's lost, it'll never come back, things will never be the same". Axeheads don't float...they never can? C. H Spurgeon again speaks so eloquently about the impossible becoming possible because of who our God is.
The axehead seemed hopelessly lost, and as it was borrowed,
the honor of the prophetic band was likely to be imperiled, and so the name of
their God to be compromised. Contrary to all expectation, the iron was made to
mount from the depth of the stream and to swim; for things impossible with man
are possible with God.
I knew a man in Christ but a few years ago who was called to
undertake a work far exceeding his strength. It appeared so difficult as to
involve absurdity in the bare idea of attempting it. Yet he was called to it,
and his faith rose with the occasion.
God honored his faith, unlooked-for aid was sent, and the
iron did swim. Another of the Lord’s family was in dreadful financial straits.
He would have been able to meet all claims and much more if he could have
realized a certain portion of his estate, but he was overtaken with a sudden
pressure.
He sought for friends in vain, but faith led him to the
unfailing Helper, and lo, the trouble was averted, his footsteps were enlarged,
and the iron did swim.
A third had a sorrowful case of depravity to deal with. He
had taught, reproved, warned, invited, and interceded, but all in vain.
Old Adam was too strong for young Melanchthon; the stubborn
spirit would not relent. Then came an agony of prayer, and before long a
blessed answer was sent from heaven. The hard heart was broken; the iron did
swim.
Beloved reader, what is your desperate case? What heavy
matter have you to deal with this evening? Bring it here. The God of the
prophets lives, and lives to help His saints. He will not suffer you to lack
any good thing. Believe in the Lord of hosts! Approach Him pleading the name of
Jesus, and the iron shall swim; you too shall see the finger of God working
marvels for His people. According to your faith be it unto you, and yet again
the iron shall swim.
May you see God's work of floating your axehead!
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