Hi everyone,
Welcome to today’s devotional! My name is Darren Durham, and I am one of the Pastors here at !Audacious Church. Recently, we’ve been working through the theme of Favourite Bible Characters, and hopefully you’ve been enjoying them as much as I have! If you missed out on anything from the series so far, please do head over to the Audacious YouTube page and you’ll find everything there.
When thinking about who personally stands out to me from the Bible, one of the first people that spring to mind is a lady who we find in 2 Kings chapters 4. She’s a widow, a mother, prayerful in nature, full of faith, and keeps a diligent record of God’s power. However, we don’t know her by name..
Her children were about to be taken from her due to debt but she still had faith. She recognised the anointing upon Elisha’s life and knew of God’s provision, and that’s why she went up to him confidently.
The Widow’s Olive Oil
4 The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.”
2 Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?”
“Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.”
3 Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbours for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. 4 Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.”
5 She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. 6 When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.”
But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing.
7 She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.”
She starts by pointing out the work that her husband did because she knew that in the life of faith nothing is ever wasted:
2 Kings 4:1-2 (ESV): ‘Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the Lord, but the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.”’ 2 Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?”
“Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.”
After that, they collected jars from people who knew them and didn’t let pride hold them back. She tapped into the power of community:
2 Kings 4:6 (ESV): ‘When the vessels were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not another.” Then the oil stopped flowing.’
Today, friends, I want to challenge you to:
1.) Recognise God in every difficult circumstance you face;
2.) Tap into community/small groups and do not shy away or be held back by pride;
3.) Be obedient to the instructions of God.
Thanks so much for your time today. Have a blessed weekend and hope to see you soon!
Darren.
