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Bible reading: 2
Kings 6:1-7
1 ¶ And the sons
of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we
dwell before thee is too strait for us. 2 Let us go, we
pray thee, unto the Jordan, and take thence every man a beam,
and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. And he
answered, Go ye. 3 And one said, Be pleased, I pray thee,
to go with thy servants. And he answered, I will go. 4 So
he went with them. And when they came to the Jordan, they cut
down wood. 5 But as one was felling a beam, the axe-head
fell into the water; and he cried, and said, Alas, my master!
for it was borrowed. 6 And the man of God said, Where
fell it? And he showed him the place. And he cut down a stick,
and cast it in thither, and made the iron to swim. (Or the iron
did swim) 7 And he said, Take it up to thee. So he put
out his hand, and took it. (ASV)
The axe-head
seemed hopelessly lost, and as it was borrowed, the honor of the
prophetic band was likely to be imperiled, and so the name of
their God to be compromised.
Contrary to all expectation, the iron was made to mount from the
depth of the stream and to swim; for things impossible with man
are possible with God.
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I knew a man
in Christ but a few years ago who was called to undertake a
work far exceeding his strength. It appeared so difficult as
to involve absurdity in the bare idea of attempting it. Yet he
was called thereto, and his faith rose with the occasion; God
honored his faith, unlooked-for aid was sent, and the iron did
swim.
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Another of
the Lord's family was in grievous financial straits, he was
able to meet all claims, and much more if he could have
realized a certain portion of his estate, but he was overtaken
with a sudden pressure; he sought for friends in vain, but
faith led him to the unfailing Helper, and lo, the trouble was
averted, his footsteps were enlarged, and the iron did swim.
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A third had a
sorrowful case of depravity to deal with. He had taught,
reproved, warned, invited, and interceded, but all in vain.
Old Adam was too strong for young Melanchton, the stubborn
spirit would not relent. Then came an agony of prayer, and
before long a blessed answer was sent from heaven. The hard
heart was broken, the iron did swim.
Beloved reader,
what is your desperate case? What heavy matter are you carrying at
this moment? Bring it to Him! The God of the prophets lives, and
lives to help his saints. He will not suffer you to lack any thing
you need.
Believe in the Lord of hosts! Approach him pleading in the name of
Jesus, and the iron shall swim; You too shall see the finger of
God working marvelous things for his people. According to your
faith be it to you, and yet again the iron shall swim. |
