Friday, January 15, 2010

WIDOW'S OIL

Sometimes I forget. Yes my memory isn't what it used to be, but I'm not talking about that. I'm talking about praying. Sometimes when I'm praying I tell the Lord what I want. I tell HIM what I need. When all along HE already knows what I need. So when I'm praying and asking for specific things, am I limiting Him? I love the story in 2Kings 4:1-7 Widow's Oil The widow goes to Elisha and tells him her husbands creditors are coming to take her two boys as slaves. God reminds us in Deutronomy 15:7-8 If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs. In those days it was common practice to "sell" themselves or their children as slaves to pay off a debt. The widow cried out to Elisha that she had nothing but oil inside her house. Probably olive oil used for cooking, for lamps or heating. Elisha instructed the woman to gather jars from her neighbors, lots of jars, and fill them with the oil. The oil flowed to fill all the jars she had gathered. Elisha then instructed her to sell the oil to pay her debts and he told her to live on the rest. The jars she collected represented her faith. And God's provision was as large as their faith. My prayer is for God's will in my life. And reminding myself how great our God really is.

4 comments:

Karen Lange said...

Good reminder of a good story. Something to ponder. Thanks and blessings! :)

Carol J. Garvin said...

Sometimes we're so focused on our asking we forget to give thanks and praise and take time to listen for God's answers and guidance. I have to remind myself that it's a lot like any two-way conversation. One-sided ones aren't all that productive.

Kathryn Neff Perry, PhD, MA, LMHC said...

Karen, I really like this passage in the Bible. It's another miracle that the Lord performed----and what an awesome reminder to me of how great HE is.
Have a great weekend my sweet friend! Hugs and blessings Katt

Kathryn Neff Perry, PhD, MA, LMHC said...

Carol, I find myself reminding me to stop telling HIM what I need. He already has it all under control. Have a great weekend my sweet friend. Hugs and blessings Katt