Page 45 - Livin Light Issue 81

Friday July 21 - Active faith
...she kept pouring... 2 Kings 4:5
In order to fill all the available jars, ‘she kept pouring’ in what was a remarkable miracle. This clearly points to another miracle which took place many centuries later when Jesus took five loaves and two small fish and fed more than 5000 people. I once watched a film made of the life of Christ and I wondered how they would show the miracles; the depiction of the feeding of the 5000 was very impressive. The disciples were realists: “How will so little food meet such a great need?” In the film the disciples took around baskets of food and every time that they reached into their basket more was there to feed the crowd. Each actively reached in and drew more out.
Faith is active. When I go to my local supermarket I know that inside there are all the provisions that I need, but until I step forward under the infra-red beam the automatic doors will not open. I need to move forward, believing that the door will open to me. The widow had to keep pouring, as Elisha had instructed her, and the flow of oil kept coming. Faith is active – as the widow demonstrated, as the supermarket doors demonstrate, and as Jesus exemplified.
Heavenly Father, grant me a faith which is not merely in words alone, but is also clear as I actively trust in Jesus. Amen.
Saturday July 22 - Abundance “Bring me another one.” 2 Kings 4:6
When the widow and her sons followed Elisha’s instructions, she urged her boys to bring her more jars. Whilst there were jars to fill, the oil kept flowing; when all the jars were filled, the oil stopped flowing.
At the start of the chapter the widow had nothing, but now she had enough for her needs – and such an abundant supply that she could feed her family, pay off her debts and have enough to live on. This was abundant provision, not just minimal provision, and this is typical of our generous God! Again, I am reminded of the parable Jesus told in Matthew 7:9-11. Here, Jesus compares and contrasts the care shown by human fathers with the abundant and gracious provision given by our heavenly Father.
God’s grace is excessive, generous beyond measure. In a year in which we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the composition of John Newton’s hymn ‘Amazing Grace’ we have a timely reminder of how lavish is God’s kindness and generosity: his grace is truly ‘amazing’. Later in the New Testament, Paul – speaking of the sacrificial love of God in Christ – says God’s grace is ‘unsurpassable’ and concludes with: ‘Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!’ (2 Corinthians 9:14-15).
I can imagine this grateful widow repeatedly telling her neighbours, and anyone else who would listen, how wonderfully gracious is our God. Let’s embrace, enjoy, celebrate and speak of his grace... his amazing grace!
Heavenly Father, thank you for your amazing grace and generous love. Amen.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
PRAYER FOR TODAY
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