*** Please read the scripture from the Bible first as this is God's good Word!! ***

Elisha was the predecessor of Elijah. A widowed woman had come to Elisha in need of help, for her husband had passed she hadn't a way to support her and her two boys as they owed a creditor. The creditor wanted to take her two sons and sell them into slavery in payment for the debt. Her husband was a servant of Elisha and was faithful to God.


Elisha asked "what can I do for you? What do you have in your house?" The woman replied, I don't have anything except a pot of oil. Elisha then told the woman to go borrow many empty vessels from her neighbors and when she gets the vessels, close the doors to her house and fill the vessels with oil, with her sons help. She did as Elijah told, her sons returned with the vessels and she closed the door. By grace of God she filled every vessel (the vessels that were filled were much more than that of which was in the initial pot of oil) that was borrowed. Then she inquired of Elisha what she was to do with all of the filled vessels of oil. Elisha responded, "Pay off your debt, and take the rest and live off of that with your sons".


There are several principals that we can learn from this. Trouble will arise even for those that are faithful to God. For this is the nature of life and it will be well worth having endured it when we are in heaven. How do we face trouble while still here on Earth? In this passage God Shows us how. Here are 7 principals that we see.


Understand that trials come for faithful people. (It is inevitable that we as Christians will face trouble, even though we are all servants of God.)


Remember that God does protect upon faithfulness of others. ( The widowers husband was servant of Elisha and was faithful to God, in turn God provided what was needed for the widower.)

1. Ask for help in times of distress. (We always turn to God for help, but also don't be prideful not to ask of help from thy neighbor. The woman and two sons unprideful asked for vessels. For god works through us to help those in need.)
   
   
2. Listen to God's commands carefully. (The woman obeyed that of which Elisha spoke which was God breathed. She could have poured all the oil into the vessels and sold it and kept the remaining, however she filled the vessels and when she had finished she inquired of what God wanted her to do next, which in turn was to sell the oil pay off the debt and live off the rest.)
   
   
3. Obey with an expectant heart. (Obey God, for by his grace He will provide when the time is right. Don't be impatient, God does not break promises.)
   
   
4. Obey with a disregard for personal pride. (As mentioned before, when in need, don't be prideful when asking for help, God works through others to bless those in need.)
   
   
5. Follow through in your obedience. (Never assume you know what God is going to do next, always ask for guidance as he will always lead you down the path of obedience.)

posted by Ben at 10:39 PM