The days we are living in are not easy days. The world was affected by a pandemic, and consequently, there are thousands of deaths, despair everywhere, unemployment, economic crises…
What should be our perspective in the midst of a crisis?
As Christians, we have a choice of seeing this situation as everybody else or seeing it according to God's perspective.
Remember when Moses sent to the Promise Land the 12 spies? All of them were leaders among their tribes, and theoretically, they knew God, however just 2 of them, Joshua and Caleb, could see things according to God's eyes. They could see possibilities, opportunities, God’s promises despite all the circumstances around.
Let’s read what Caleb said to Joshua:
“I was forty years old when Moses the servant of the Lord sent me from Kadesh Barnea to explore the land. And I brought him back a report according to my convictions, but my fellow Israelites who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt in fear. I, however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly.” Joshua 14.7-8
Both of them, Joshua and Caleb, saw the same things that the other 10 spies also saw: the giants and the challenges for conquering the new land. But the difference was that Joshua and Caleb really knew that God would fight for them.
Of course we won’t live in denial. But we also won’t live in fear, anxiety or spreading fear around. In the same way as Caleb and Joshua, we will face challenging circumstances, but I believe that we can make a choice about the response that we will give in the midst of it to show who our God is. He is in control even in the midst of the chaos, that should be the anchor of our soul even when our resources are limited and small.
God can multiply your small resources in times of scarcity:
In II Kings 4.1-7, there is the history of a woman who was in a risk situation. She was a widow and had 2 children, who were about to become slaves to pay the debts of that family. They didn’t have anything.
She came to the prophet Elisha and asked him for help. But Elisha asked her: “What have you in the house?”. The only precious resource that lady had was only a jar of oil. The rest of the history you know: the prophet told her to borrow many empty vessels from her neighbors, and in her house, with closed doors, she started filling the vessels with the oil, one by one, from that small jar she had till there were no more empty vessels.
From that she paid all her debts and made her living for her and her sons!
Some important lessons we can learn from this text:
1. Sometimes we cannot see the resources we have in our hands. We think they are too small to make any substantial difference.
“Your servant has nothing there at all,” she said, “except a small jar of olive oil.” (verse 2)
Ask God to show the resources He already gave to you. They might look very small, or insignificant, but do not despise the small beginnings.
2. Ask God for the right strategy.
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.” (verses 3-4)
3. Stick to the vision and strategy God gave you.
“She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring.” (verse 5)
4. The resource will be multiplied according to your faith.
“Elisha said, ‘Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few’.”
(verse 3)
“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.” (verse 6).
Don't come to God with a small faith! Believe that He will multiply the resource He already gave you in this time of crises and need.
He is the same God yesterday and today. He is our provider and source of life. Our God is faithful to finish the good work that He started in our lives.
Just believe.
God Bless us so we can bless others!
When God provides for us in scarcity times, this blessing is never to stop in us. This same blessing needs to flow ahead to reach others.
“Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth.” Ecclesiastes 11. 1-2
Don’t be afraid of being generous to others in times of crisis. The God who provided to you, wants to use your life to be a miracle to others.
World Nations International
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