2 Kings 4:1-6 “The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves. Elisha replied to her, “How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?” “Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.” Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.” She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring. When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.” But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing.”
I learned a long time ago that we need to MAKE ROOM for God to pour into our lives – His provision, love, mercy, forgiveness, peace, joy, purpose, presence, power and Spirit! He will only pour into our lives based upon HOW MUCH “ROOM” WE MAKE FOR HIM. In collecting empty jars, the prophet Elisha was instructing the widow to create room for God to pour His provision into her life. Elisha told her “Don’t ask for just a few!” He was telling her, “Make a LOT of room for God because He WILL supply your needs and provide for you and FILL your jars….based upon how much “room” you create (or empty jars you set aside) for Him to fill.
So, how do we make room for God? By the TIME we spend with Him! Time spent in worship and prayer, fasting, praise and adoration! This all requires TIME! And yes, finding “time” can seem like a sacrifice in the midst of our busy lives, BUT…by MAKING time each day for God, we are allowing Him to FILL, redeem, restore, and heal our lives and our hearts, and meet our physical and spiritual needs! Unless we make time – and ROOM – for God – He can’t do this! We must open the door and allow Him to enter!
Jesus said in Revelation 3:20, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
We continue to read the story of the widow. In verse 7 we see that “She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.”
So we see that God provided for her needs! He provided miraculously and did the impossible because she made room for Him and trusted Him. She put God first and God supplied all her needs!
“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33
I remember a certain day when God provided all MY needs, supernaturally! I had just gotten out of federal prison and a family in the church I went to was kindly renting me a room in their home. Well, THAT’S a miracle in itself, isn’t it? 🙂 At that time I was on Social Security Disability (awarded to me years earlier when my left leg was amputated below the knee). I was going to college and I was more then 200% BELOW the poverty level. After tithing (God FIRST!! Always!!) and giving offerings, sowing into Kingdom Builders, and giving to Missions, over one half of my check went to rent my cozy bedroom. Needless to say I did not have much left over. Typically my money ran out 2 weeks into the month when my gas tank was well below 1/4 tank. But you see – I had given my heart and life completely, wholeheartedly, unequivocally TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST! And that meant I BELIEVED His Word when He says He will provide all of my needs and never leave me or forsake me. And for an entire 2 years (yes…. TWO YEARS!!!) my car got me back and forth to school every day for the final 2 weeks of every month on LESS than 1/4 tank of gas! AND (okay, this may be TMI, but I’ve gotta share it anyway) many months my toothpaste tube was totally FLAT! Empty! Zilch! Nada! And every morning and every evening I stood in the bathroom mirror holding my toothbrush and the empty, flat tube up to God. I said, “Lord, I know You provide all my needs. Please make toothpaste come out of this tube, Father!” And. It. Did. Every single time! For two years!
“Yet the Lord says, “During the forty years that I led you through the wilderness, your clothes did not wear out, nor did the sandals on your feet.” Deuteronomy 29:5
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
My Prayer…..
“Lord, please help us today! Teach us how to create – no, how to MAKE room for You in our busy, hectic lives each morning! Help us to gather up “empty jars” of our time and set them out for You to fill with Your glorious presence, Spirit, and power! Help us to seek You and Your kingdom first and then TRUST in You completely to provide all we need!”