2 Kings 4: 1-7 ; Exodus 14:13-16, 21 – 22; Judges 15:15
2 So Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?” And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil.”
A brief analysis of the first few verses of this passage suggest this woman was in pretty bad shape financially. The creditors were after her, an undesired separation between her and her two sons was imminent if this situation continues to persist. However, this woman followed Elisha’s instructions and things changed favorably for her.
Sometimes we find ourselves in situations where we seemingly feel boxed in by the challenges of life. The pressure begins to take its toll on everything dear to us – threats of separation from loved ones, loss of material possessions, or even death begins to stare us in the face; and we are confronted with feelings of fear, helplessness, frustration, exasperation, hopelessness, and dejection.
The observation based on this chapter is that God used what this woman already had in her possession to bring about a solution to her needs/desires. Who would have thought that the jar of oil could do so much good? It probably looked insignificant (or worthless) – just sitting in a corner of the house.
The point here is that God will use what you currently have in your hands to bring about your long awaited solution. No need to look far and wide – look closely, because you are the answer to your needs; you just have to ask God to show you. For this woman, God used the jar of oil which was already in her possession; for Moses, God used the rod in his hands to part the Red Sea. In the case of Samson, God used the jawbone of an ass to defeat his enemies.
Theologians would say that God has placed in our hands the raw materials required to meet every human need – we just need to identify the raw materials already provided, and work them to our desired end.
What is in your hands today that God can use to produce the solution you’ve been waiting for? What do you already have in your possession? What raw materials are available to you? It could be your skills, talents, gifts, knowledge, expertise, ability, strength, aptitude, etc., or even a tangible little object, long forgotten, but sitting at a corner in your house – ask God to open your eyes to recognize what you have.
There is something already in your possession that will bless you – though seemingly insignificant or worthless, it’s a powerful tool in the hand of a mighty God!