God’s Hand in Meeting our Needs • 2 Kings 4:1-7
By Clay Anthony
A few lessons ago, we read in John 6 about Jesus feeding a large crowd with a small amount of food. This lesson was a sign that Jesus was indeed God but also proved that God has limitless amounts of supplies for our needs. Spiritually speaking, no person trusting in Christ has ever been found lacking for resources in their walk with God. Likewise, we are to be mindful that God stands ready to supply our physical needs as well.
Knowing this truth is not a license to slip into a name and claim false hope of a prosperity gospel. We are told to trust God for our needs because He loves us. Furthermore, any blessings that we receive from Him are to be used to help in spreading the message of the gospel to those who live in darkness.
This week’s scene from 2 Kings involves a widowed wife of a prophet. She is being threatened with the loss of her children due to financial impoverishment. The question on our minds should never be does God see our trouble but instead what are we doing with it? The answer seems so blatantly obvious, yet we should heed this widow’s example of how God indeed reacts to our situations and follow suit the next time we find ourselves in a similar situation.
Have you prayed about it? (1-2) Again, this is obvious, but it does give us pause. When we find ourselves battling issues of health, finances, relationships or parenting, what is the first step we take? Do we seek our friends, social media or a podcast? Perhaps the simplest step is the one most needed. This widow cries out to Elisha for help. She knew that this was God’s spokesman for the moment and no advice from friends could suffice. She had a real need. Her children were on the verge of slavery. She knew that the first and only place to turn was the heart of God. We would be wise to heed the words of 1 Peter 5:7 in casting our cares upon Him for He cares for us.
Are you preparing for God’s answer? (3-4) You have no doubt heard of the farmer that could never be found without carrying his umbrella. Once asked why he always has an umbrella on hand, his answer was telling. He said, “I always pray for rain, and I never want God to think I do not trust Him to answer.” The widow in this text has the same mindset. She cries out for help from God and listens for an answer. The answer is not an immediate supply of oil but for her to go and prepare. She is to gather as many containers as she can find from her home and from neighbors. She gives no rebuttal or pushback. She quickly obeys and gathers empty containers to receive an answer to her prayer in abundance.
How are you celebrating God’s provision? (5-7) We are correct to see no reference of a celebration gathering involving this widow and her neighbors. Yet, if we could step into the scene for a moment and watch the looks on the faces involved here, we would see joy, excitement and indeed celebration. As the small amount of oil she possessed began to multiply, no doubt that the word of a miracle had begun to spread. Her creditors would be paid off in full while her family would be able to stay together.
There are numerous celebrations in the Bible when God moves among His people. Jesus tells of the return of a lost son to his father’s house where a party is set in motion. We see David retuning from the battlefield to a celebratory atmosphere in Jerusalem. There is great joy in heaven, we are told, over one lost person coming to faith. The lesson here is plain: God loves us in every imaginable way. He cares for every detail in our lives, from the grandest to the slightest. When we approach Him for help, we are to come knowing these truths and thus come expectantly. God’s track record for meeting our needs is perfect. On this fact we can rest.
Anthony is Missions Pastor at Harrisburg Church, Tupelo.
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