Page 43 - Livin Light Issue 81

Monday July 17 - Seeking help “How can I help you?” 2 Kings 4:2
“I can cope”; “I don’t need help”; “I don’t want charity”; “I can make it on my own”... When the bankrupt widow reached rock bottom she turned to God’s representative, Elisha. His compassionate words were simple and genuine: “How can I help you?” This kind and direct response reminds us of the meeting of blind Bartimaeus with Jesus many centuries later when our Lord simply asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51). Jesus then went on to restore the man’s sight.
At the heart of Christian faith is dependency and interdependency, whereas the opening quotes above display a sense of independence. We are utterly dependent upon God for salvation; this is nothing we can do for ourselves. And when we are born again we become members of God’s family, the church, where we are interdependent as we love, serve and help one another.
Within the church today there are wonderful organisations which support the bereaved, help those in a financial mess, provide food banks and campaign against human slavery: the four traumas which the widow faced centuries ago. “How can I help you?” should be regularly on the lips of Christian people. Equally, when we face difficulties we should not be too proud to ask for help – it’s all part of being a compassionate Christian and a member of ‘the body of Christ’.
Lord, teach me what it means to rely upon you and to help and be helped within the family of the church. Amen.
Tuesday July 18 - Small resources “What do you have...?” 2 Kings 4:2
When Elisha asked the bereft widow, “What do you have in your house?” she must have thought he was deaf and blind to her plight. Her quick response was: “Nothing”. But then she added – perhaps with a mixture of irony, sarcasm or despairing resignation – “except a little oil”. That’s it: poverty and desperation! It brings to mind that famous miracle of Jesus: the feeding of the 5000 men, plus women and children. The account is recorded in all four gospels, but there’s a telling little detail in John’s gospel when one boy donates his packed lunch of five small barley loaves and two little fish, to which the disciples remark, “...but how far will they go among so many?” (John 6:9).
It’s not enough. It wasn’t enough for the widow speaking to Elisha. It’s not enough to feed the hungry crowd listening to Jesus. Naturally speaking, the widow’s resources were so depleted that she was probably in the best position to embrace God’s supernatural grace. She turned to Elisha, God’s agent, out of necessity – whereas we often try to cushion ourselves against all conceivable necessities and so remain self- reliant.
God’s storehouse of grace is not limited – whether we come empty-handed or with our pitiful personal resources, he will use even our meagre contribution to supply our needs and glorify his own reputation.
Lord, whether I be rich or poor, I lay what I have before you to graciously multiply what is already yours, to bring honour to your name. Amen.
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PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY