We hear the words “credit crunch” today - how it is affecting everyone. There is however consolation through the words of scripture “Jesus Christ the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13 verse 8). In a changing world it is good to thank God that he never changes - he is with us through the difficult times as well as the good times. When I read of the widow woman in 2 Kings 4 I immediately thought - that’s not fair! I noticed in verse 1 that she was the wife “of the sons of the prophets”. In other words she was one of God’s own. Why had her husband left her with this debt? What a crisis for her and then I thought - similar things are happening today. Debts mount up and we can get into a panic. What did this woman do? She did the only thing she knew to do - she approached the prophet of God. How often when we are in that situation do we turn to the Lord? Probably he is not first and foremost in our thoughts at such a time. For this woman the Lord was in first place. Perhaps it is time to get the Lord back to the priority he deserves. Maybe you have never accepted the Lord as your Saviour and Lord? Have you ever acknowledged the debt he has paid for your sin? It cost God’s only son Jesus his life on the cross of Calvary - do you know him today? Some people might say as I first said - it’s not fair I am one of God’s own, why has this happened to me? It sometimes is true that because we are Christ’s that crisis does come to the Christian home. For this widow woman it meant not just a debt to pay but a death that occurred. Are you ready for death today? Do you have the assurance of your sins forgiven and the promise of eternal life with God in heaven today?
The result of this crisis meant that there was a cost to pay. One of the dead man’s creditors wanted to enforce the Old Testament law (Exodus 21). This meant that the dead man’s remaining sons would become the creditors slaves. This would imply six years of working off a debt. What a cost. It also would result in a home torn apart and a family divided. Perhaps you are paying a high cost today in your home for debts outstanding. It is interesting to note that we don’t know how this debt came about - there is no mention of greed or overspending here. How true that is for what is happening in our world today - a lot of people have been “caught out” by circumstances and the consequence could have far reaching repercussions. The woman came on behalf of her sons - perhaps the sons didn’t know what was going on. Look at the woman’s cry - basically she wanted to know what Elisha thought she should do. She poured out her heart to someone who she knew could help her. Unfortunately too few of God’s people think of how the Lord can help in these days. The words of Paul are still true today “the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.“ (2 Corinthians 4 verse 4) This verse is not just talking of people who haven’t accepted Christ as Lord and Saviour - everyone is in the position of not believing or rather not trusting the Lord to help at the most critical of times. They say “a problem shared is a problem halved.” Have you told anyone about your problems? Remember at a time like this it is good to bring our problems to the Lord in prayer first and foremost but then it should be shared with our nearest and dearest. This is not a time to stick your head in the sand. When a crisis comes there is a cost to pay. Finally there was a challenge given to the woman. She had a choice to make - either do as Elisha asked or give her sons to the creditor. She immediately obeyed the word of Elisha. All the vessels were filled before the oil stopped - she had run out of vessels but not of oil. She proved God in her situation. Will you prove God and do what he asks you to do today? Are you ready for the challenge before you?
The result of this crisis meant that there was a cost to pay. One of the dead man’s creditors wanted to enforce the Old Testament law (Exodus 21). This meant that the dead man’s remaining sons would become the creditors slaves. This would imply six years of working off a debt. What a cost. It also would result in a home torn apart and a family divided. Perhaps you are paying a high cost today in your home for debts outstanding. It is interesting to note that we don’t know how this debt came about - there is no mention of greed or overspending here. How true that is for what is happening in our world today - a lot of people have been “caught out” by circumstances and the consequence could have far reaching repercussions. The woman came on behalf of her sons - perhaps the sons didn’t know what was going on. Look at the woman’s cry - basically she wanted to know what Elisha thought she should do. She poured out her heart to someone who she knew could help her. Unfortunately too few of God’s people think of how the Lord can help in these days. The words of Paul are still true today “the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.“ (2 Corinthians 4 verse 4) This verse is not just talking of people who haven’t accepted Christ as Lord and Saviour - everyone is in the position of not believing or rather not trusting the Lord to help at the most critical of times. They say “a problem shared is a problem halved.” Have you told anyone about your problems? Remember at a time like this it is good to bring our problems to the Lord in prayer first and foremost but then it should be shared with our nearest and dearest. This is not a time to stick your head in the sand. When a crisis comes there is a cost to pay. Finally there was a challenge given to the woman. She had a choice to make - either do as Elisha asked or give her sons to the creditor. She immediately obeyed the word of Elisha. All the vessels were filled before the oil stopped - she had run out of vessels but not of oil. She proved God in her situation. Will you prove God and do what he asks you to do today? Are you ready for the challenge before you?
