Vessels of Faith

How many times have you been in the middle of preparing something for dinner and you realize you are missing an ingredient? At first, there is that moment of panic and then your neighbors come to mind, so you call asking if you can borrow the item you need. They in their kindness agree to lend you what you need, and your meal is saved!! Oh, how great it is to have nice, caring, and giving neighbors!

There is a story in the Bible about a woman known as the "The widow's oil" who also needed her neighbors to help. Her name or her children's names are not listed however her story is amazing and truly miraculous.

Her husband had died leaving her a widow with two sons. This woman because of her husband's death (him being the only source of income) was left poverty-stricken. So much so that the creditors came to her house to take her sons as slaves as a form of payment. She goes to the Prophet Elisha and tells him of her situation and reminds him that her husband was a man who feared God. Elisha asked what he could for her and what did she have in the house? She told him she had nothing except a jar of oil. He then instructed her to go to her neighbors and get as many vessels as she could, not a few, but many. He also told her that she and her sons were to go in the house closing the door behind them and start pouring the oil into all the jars she had borrowed from her neighbors and to set aside all the vessels that were full. 

She and her sons went and did exactly as Elisha had said and they filled every vessel they had borrowed. Then as quick as the oil started flowing the Bible says it stopped when they ran out of vessels. She went and told Elisha what she had done, and he told her to go sell the oil, pay off her debts, and that she and her sons can live on the rest.

Imagine this woman not only feeling grieved about her husband dying but then her two sons are on the verge of being taken away from her as slaves. She has no money – no hope for this situation to have a happy ending and then steps in Elisha. Elisha though didn't say to her "Maybe I can talk to the creditors for you, or how much money do you need because I will give it to you?" He tells her to go borrow empty vessels from her neighbors and fill them. Imagine the conversations she was having with the neighbors as she asked to borrow the vessels from them! They probably thought she and her sons were crazy, and maybe she even felt a little crazy for doing it! However, this woman knew Elisha was a prophet of God, she trusted him and his words to her. She had to walk in obedience and faith even though it did not make sense at the time.

Imagine her and her son’s surprise and excitement as they were filling all those empty vessels. Think of the conversations they were having amongst themselves behind those closed doors! Because of her obedience and faith not only was she able to pay off the debt, keep her sons with her but she also had a retirement!

This woman took steps in faith by going to Elisha who was a man of God, being obedient to his instructions, and look what God did for her and her family. Take a moment and think also about what her neighbors thought of what had happened to her and her family. What a testimony that was to them of God's provision and his power.

So often we feel we're at that breaking point- where there is no help in sight and we're about to lose everything. During those times we need to go to God and ask, "What do You want me to do?" Then when we hear His instructions we need to be obedient having the faith His way is the only way- even if it doesn't make sense at the time. To act in faith and obedience even when others seem to think we're crazy in doing. When we do things God's way is when His blessings start to overflow in our lives just as they did for this woman with the empty vessels. We and everyone around us will be amazed, and we will have a powerful testimony of God's provision and blessings in our lives. Start today by having the kind of faith that brings you that overflow of blessings into your life and the lives of your family and see what God does for you! 

From Gardens of Splendor by Gina Burns