Our Faith and Walk in Difficult Times

Elisha said, “I wonder how I can be of help. Tell me, what do you have in your house?”
“Nothing,” she said. “Well, I do have a little oil.”
2 Kings 4:2

*all scripture is taken from the MSG translation unless otherwise noted

In 2 Kings 4:1-7, we find a widow who has a desperate need and is about to lose everything, including her two sons. In these short seven verses, there are so many lessons that can help us with our faith and walk in difficult times. Let’s explore how this passage reveals insights on sharing our struggles, overlooking things of insignificance, preparing for abundance, supporting others, witnessing God's miracles, and seeking godly counsel.

First: Share your struggle.

One day the wife of a man from the guild of prophets called out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, is dead. You well know what a good man he was, devoted to God. And now the man to whom he was in debt is on his way to collect by taking my two children as slaves.”
2 Kings 4:1

Why is it when times are tough, we are scared to share our struggle and ask for help? Is it pride, not wanting anyone to know we don’t have it all together? Is it fear of rejection? Is it not wanting to be a burden to someone? A lack of trust? 

The beautiful picture in this passage is that the widow shared what was going on in her world in an effort to get help. And not just from someone, but the head prophet, Elisha. Her husband probably worked closely with Elisha. She said in verse 1, “You well know what a good man he was, devoted to God.” She was not scared to go straight to the top with her desperate need.

Oh, that we would have that boldness in times of desperate need! We have so many people in our lives who would love to help us, if they only knew what we needed. Be careful not to rob someone of the blessing that comes from helping others. And more than earthly help, when was the last time you went to our Heavenly Father and laid all your heavy burdens at His feet asking Him for help? His truest desire is for us to come to Him and allow Him to work in our situation.

Second: What we see as insignificant, God uses for great significance.

Elisha said, “I wonder how I can be of help. Tell me, what do you have in your house?”
“Nothing,” she said. “Well, I do have a little oil.”
2 Kings 4:2

Did you catch the very last part of verse two? After Elisha asked if she had anything of value in the house, her first response was no. Then after she thought about it for a second, she said she had a little bit of oil. It was probably in a small flask, just enough for making a loaf of bread or two.

This widow felt she had absolutely nothing of value, nothing at all. Her desperate situation may have blinded her eyes momentarily and her faith was probably very weak up until this moment. More than likely the oil was olive oil that was extremely versatile. It could be used for cooking and fuel for lamps. She could have very easily glanced over the fact that she had some oil, but God opened her eyes to see that what very little she had was worth mentioning.

What might you be overlooking today? Is your lack of faith blinding you to the things of great significance God has placed within you and around you? Do you feel like you have nothing to offer? Don’t believe that lie. Ask God to open your eyes and allow you to see the things of significance that can be used for His glory.

Third: Prepare for the abundance.

“Here’s what you do,” said Elisha. “Go up and down the street and borrow jugs and bowls from all your neighbors. And not just a few—all you can get…”
2 Kings 4:3

First, let's look at what Elisha didn’t say and did say. Elisha didn’t tell the widow to grab her own empty jars and bowls and start filling them. What he did say was to go to all your neighbors and ask to borrow every extra jar and bowl they could spare, not just a few, but all that she could get.

Elisha had the widow act in faith. She and her sons knew they needed to obey the man of God. The amount of jars and bowls they collected directly correlated with the amount of faith and obedience they displayed. Can you just see this widow’s faith, and the faith of her sons, growing and growing with each step they took, with each door they knocked on. Elisha knew that they needed to be prepared for the abundance that was coming their way. 

Do you see areas of your life where you need to start acting in faith and preparing for the abundance that God might desire to give? Where do you need to step out in faith and do the crazy thing that God is calling you to do, even though you have no idea how it is all going to work out? 

The widow did not let fear stop her. When we take that first step of faith, the ones that follow get easier and easier while our faith grows stronger and stronger.

Fourth: Be ready to help.

Elisha said, “I wonder how I can be of help….”
She did what he said….
2 Kings 4:2a, 5

In verse 2, we can see Elisha’s desire to help. He stepped right in and began to find a way for a solution. Another thing we see, although it is not written in detail, is how the neighbors helped the widow. Verse 5 says that she did exactly what Elisha told her to do and she came away with a boatload of jugs and bowls. 

The only way that could have happened is if her neighbors were prepared to give. To be a prepared giver means that you have a heart for the welfare of others and have your own house in order. 

As Christians, we should truly want to be that neighbor. You have a sense of duty to the people you are responsible for, along with the ability to make wise decisions that benefit your family, and potentially others. We can be that neighbor who lives our life in such a way that when a friend comes to us, we are ready to help. We can give abundantly from the goodness of what God has already supplied us. It takes being a good steward of what God blesses us with.

Do you have your house in order so that when a need arises you are ready to help at a moment's notice? If not, what needs to happen in order to be a prepared giver?

Fifth: Miracles can be private experiences.

She locked the door behind her and her sons; as they brought the containers to her, she filled them (to the brim - NLT). When all the jugs and bowls were full, she said to one of her sons, “Another jug, please.” He said, “That’s it. There are no more jugs.” Then the oil stopped flowing (from her flask).
2 Kings 4:5b-6

The miracle of the widow's oil, which never ran out as she poured it into every vessel she had collected, took place behind closed doors. This miracle was not for the world to see. It was only for the eyes of this family. 

Can you imagine the bond that happened between this widow and her sons as they witnessed bottle after bottle being filled to the brim from this one tiny little bit of oil in her original flask? What a beautiful moment they got to share with each other and God. Even though the door was locked, I imagine the shouts of amazement and praise could be heard by all her neighbors.

Don’t be so quick to share every little detail of God’s miracles in your life with other people. Sometimes He desires to move in ways that just let you and Him revel in His goodness and provision. We are to share praises and celebrate with others, but sometimes, what He is doing is meant to be private, as with the widow.

Sixth: Seek Godly counsel.

She went and told the story to the man of God. He said, “Go sell the oil and make good on your debts. Live, both you and your sons, on what’s left.”
2 Kings 4:7

In verse six, when all the jugs were full and the oil stopped pouring, the widow did not make any decision or take any actions on her own. She didn’t go tell everyone what just happened. What would you have done? Would you have kept the miracle to yourself, or invited the neighbors in to tell them all about it? We see in verse seven that the widow went to find Elisha, the man of God, to report to him all that she did and all that had happened.

Elisha was not surprised. He knew what the outcome was going to be. He had the next step for her and knew that it would be life changing. This next step was going to be the moment that others would see the miracle that God had worked in the widow’s life — he told her to go and sell the oil. He actually helped give her a temporary business that not only would pay off the creditors, but also leave enough money for her family to live on.

The widow did not rely on her own understanding. She went back to the source, the man of God, where she knew she would get Godly counsel and proper direction. Be careful who you let speak into your life. 

We need to seek godly counsel in many situations in our lives. It can be easy to rely on our own understanding, but that is not solid ground. God’s word is the firmest foundation for everything we are dealing with in our lives. We need to go to Him first, and if needed, continue to seek wise counsel from godly leaders and friends.

Reflection

Which of these six points spoke to you the most? 

Spend some time in prayer this week seeking the Lord and discovering if there are areas you need to either surrender or step out in faith:

Do you need to ask for help in a situation that is currently more than you can handle?
Are you overlooking, or neglecting, something in your life that God may want to use for great significance?
Is your “house in order” and ready to receive the abundance God has planned for you?
Can you do a better job of being a neighbor, a friend, ready to help?
Are you looking for and treasuring up all the sweet miracles God is doing in your life?
Where can you find people in your world who can give you godly counsel? 

“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 NIV

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Jeremiah 29:11-13