“But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed” (2 Kings 6:5).
TEXT — 2 Kings 6:1-7
Message
Before the advent of engine-powered sawing machines, many timber loggers in the early 60s and 70s in many African rainforests and other zones in the Amazon knew that axes were an indispensable tool for productivity and economic survival. Losing their axe heads for one reason or another was a serious matter and they often sought quick necessary intervention and remediation steps to recover the lost axe head because their livelihood depended on it.
The recovery of the lost axe head in this text is one of the most incredible miracles in the Bible. The students in one of the schools of the prophets embarked on an expansion programme with Elisha’s approval and support. But while cutting a beam, the axe head used by one of the students fell out into the stream. His dismay and cry of anguish attracted Elisha’s attention. The prophet intervened and caused the iron axe head to float.
This event teaches that God is omnipotent and is interested even in the minutest details of our daily life. If necessary, He overrules natural laws to help us. Making the axe head float significantly relieved the poor student who could have had trouble facing the owner. But, more importantly, recovering the lost axe head reminds us of the possibility of a believer losing his spiritual cutting edge. As a spiritual metaphor, the loss of the spiritual axe head accounts for powerlessness, fruitlessness and the failure of many in life and ministry.
To recover the lost spiritual cutting edge, a believer must be earnest and realise the gravity of the loss – like the student who cried, “Alas, it was borrowed”. Then, such must identify where they lost the fire and power in their spiritual life and ministry and retrace their steps to the last point they experienced God.
Thought for the day
Sinking hearts can float in the ocean of God’s grace.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
1 comment
We are very grateful for this daily manna, it is contributing a lot to our daily spiritual growth.
We are very grateful for this daily manna, it is contributing a lot to our daily spiritual growth.