There is a story in 2 Kings about the prophet Elisha encouraging a widow whose sons are about to be taken away as payment for debts. She has nothing left but a small jar of olive oil and she needs a miracle. Elisha tells her to gather as many empty jars as she can find. Clean out the closet. Borrow from neighbors. Maybe even talk to people she doesn’t like (?) to ask for more. Find empty jars.
“So the woman went into her house with her sons, closed the door, took the small jar of olive oil, and poured oil into the jars as her sons brought them to her. When they had filled all the jars, she asked if there were any more. “That was the last one,” one of her sons answered.
And the olive oil stopped flowing.” 2 Kings 4:5-6 GNBUK
The MSG translation says it so simply- “Then the oil stopped.”
Her one little jar of olive oil filled all of the others and it didn’t stop coming until she stopped having someplace to put it.
God provided exactly enough.
Hear that please my friends. Exactly enough.
Enough oil.
Enough money.
Enough patience, or health, or energy, or joy.
BUT- we have to ask for the containers to put it in. We have to expect it, and seek it, and trust that it is coming.
I have never been the “name it claim it” type. I don’t think God just gives you what you want if you ask hard enough. However, I POWERFULLY believe that HE gives you what you need, always, and if we have enough faith to prep the jars that are good and right, HE will fill them all.
(For example, the woman in this story was trying to keep her sons, not buy a Mercedes. HE provided what she NEEDED)
Andy has two months of military pay left then we officially retire, and that retirement paycheck is not enough for us to live on right now. So a new job is needed. But the job market has not been friendly or encouraging and fear started sneaking in. Jesus sent this story to remind me this morning that HE will fill my jars. I just need to gather them from the neighbors. So, my amazing, wonderful neighbors, please loan me your jars by praying your blessings over us in this job search.
I know we are not alone. Others are searching too. Others I love are searching for new jobs and new homes and new places to serve and worship and shine our Jesus.
So my friends, loan out yours jars and don’t be afraid to ask to borrow others as well.
We are a team and we need each other.
Be blessed my friends, with oil that overflows, then turn around and pass that overflowing oil along to someone else.
