In this digital age, where something could be suddenly trending, any content creator could become an overnight sensation. He could land huge endorsement deals, have his own TV show over free TV, be the talk of the town, and in the Philippines, he could even run as a Party List Representative!
Overnight successes however rarely happen in the Christian life. As followers of Jesus we are being called to steadily work on our calling, and receive God’s blessings in the time that He thinks is best for us.
“I will not drive them out from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate and the wild beasts multiply against you. Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased and possess the land.” Exodus 23:29-30
When we pray for a miracle, God often gives us opportunities to partner with Him to make our prayer happen. And while nothing is impossible for our Heavenly Father, He rarely does everything for us by Himself and just instantly gives us the blessing we are asking for. He usually asks us to do what we can do, prepare for the blessing we are asking for, and then He will do what ONLY HE can do to bless us.
The Second of Book of Kings have several stories that drive home this point. One of the stories is about the widow who almost had to give up her sons to slavery. She asked for help from the Prophet Elisha and he asked her what she had in her home, and she only had a jar of oil. The prophet asked her to borrow oil vessels from her neighbors and so by faith, she did that alongside her sons, and then a miracle took place.
“So she went from him and shut the door behind herself and her sons. And as she poured they brought the vessels to her. When the vessels were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not another.” Then the oil stopped flowing. She came and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on the rest.” 2 Kings 4:5-7
If the woman did not believe what the prophet said, refused to give up her last jar of oil, and shunned the thought of borrowing vessels from her neighbor, she would not have solved her problems. But she prepared to receive the blessing she was asking for. And as followers of Jesus, We have to take the cue from her, as we ask the Lord to help us with our concerns and difficulties in life.
“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
Another story that comes to mind is when the kings of Israel ran out of water while they were at war with the Moabites. Again the Prophet Elisha spoke God’s word to them enjoining them to prepare to receive God’s help by digging ditches through a valley.
“And he said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Make this valley full of ditches.’ For thus says the Lord: ‘You shall not see wind, nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you, your cattle, and your animals may drink.’” 2 Kings 3:16-17
Digging ditches and borrowing vessels from neighbors are hard work, and could even be considered menial. But if working hard and letting go of our pride are what it takes to receive God’s blessings then we should firmly believe, and be prepared to sweat it out. We have to focus on aligning our will with that of the Lord so that we could take hold of the abundant life that He offers.
“However, as it is written: “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him—” 1 Corinthians 2:9
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on 2 Kings 4:1-7 and Psalm 84:5-12 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: How prepared are you to receive the blessing you are asking for from God? Are you willing to partner with Him so that you can be blessed?
Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, thank you for having the best plans for my life. Give me the grace of my Lord to see your hand in my life, and be more than willing to do my part as I prepare to receive the blessings that I have been praying for. Thank you for loving me, and making your good will happen into my life. Amen.
