Ask anyone about a magic word or spell they know and most likely
“Abracadabra” will come up. Apparently this incantation, usually
uttered by contemporary magicians, means “I create as I speak” in the
Hebrew language. And as the National Geographic website explains, it
was used as early as the second century to cure fevers.
As present-day believers, we could fall into the trap of expecting our
Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to magically solve our problems, and
instantaneously give us what we have prayed for.
And while He can give us far more than we can imagine, we must
understand that our Messiah is neither a magician nor a vending
machine. We have to be in His will, and we have to do our part.
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask
anything according to his will, he hears us.” 1 John 5:14
When we are in need of God’s help we have to pray and at the same time
do what we can to attain what we need. For instance, we cannot just
pray that we get a better job, when we do not even do our best in the
current one that we have. We cannot also ask for healing and good
health when we do not discipline ourselves to exercise, sleep early,
and eat nutritious food. Moreover, we cannot ask God to bless our
marriage when we are not being the dutiful wife God calls us to be.
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” Luke 6:46
The Bible is consistent in this message of us needing to do our part
while faithfully waiting on the Lord to help us. The story about the
widow’s oil where the Prophet Elisha told a poor widow to borrow
vessels of oil from her neighbor so that she can have somewhere to put
the oils that the prophet will miraculously multiply.
Had she not believed in what God’s prophet said, and had she and her
sons refused to do their part and give what they have, then she would
have been still swamped in debt, with her sons taken as slaves by her
creditors.
“And Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me; what have
you in the house?” And she said, “Your servant has nothing in the
house except a jar of oil.” Then he said, “Go outside, borrow vessels
from all your neighbors, empty vessels and not too few. Then go in and
shut the door behind yourself and your sons and pour into all these
vessels. And when one is full, set it aside.” 2 Kings 4:2-4
When we do our part and give all of our best, God sees our
faithfulness and our confidence in Him that He will help us out in
time. When we continue obeying Him and making the most of what He has
blessed us with, He will bless the work of our hands, as well as the
efforts that we exert.
“They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards
and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; they
shall not plant and another eat, for like the days of a tree shall the
days of my people be, and my chosen shall long enjoy the work of their
hands.” Isaiah 65:21-22
When we remain faithful and obedient to the Lord, as we wait on Him to
help us out with our current struggles, we show to Him our utmost
dependence on His strength and power. When we supplement our prayers
with God-honoring actions and choices, His best plans will prevail
upon our lives.
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to
ponder on 2 Kings 4:1-7 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: What is it that you have to do to help yourself
attain what you have long been asking for from God?
Conversation with the Lord: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for being my
Sovereign King who only has the best plans for my life. Thank you for
disciplining me enough to make me do my part, so that I could show my
dependence and obedience to you. and at the same time make the most of
your present blessings in my life. Amen.
