“She said to her husband, ‘I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God.'” — 2 Kings 4:9
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Punters, long snappers and kickers aren’t typically regarded as the greatest athletes, but they play a key role and often pull a team to victory. These specialists are like tools that sit in a toolbox until it’s time to use them. They stay ready at all times and are used for specific purposes.
Similarly, if we think about it, each individual Christian is a vital tool in God’s toolbox. A toolbox is needed for all kinds of projects, odd jobs and activities — and the tools inside need to be ready for operation. If we think about ourselves as valuable instruments for God’s service for certain tasks, we’ll do well in living for the Lord.
Though Elijah was a great man of God, he was loud at times and complained when he faced trouble. In contrast, Elisha was just as brave as Elijah in living for God in the midst of wickedness, but Elisha was silent until the Lord told him to speak. Elijah was like a loud power drill, but Elisha worked quietly and humbly for the Lord for about 50 years. Several kings rose to power during his ministry and they all saw Elisha serve with consistency. Everybody knew Elisha was a man of God who didn’t brag about himself but urged people to focus on God.
When a prominent couple saw Elisha serving the Lord, taking God’s Word to lots of people and doing it all with a pleasant attitude, the wife was prompted to provide a place for him to stay when he traveled through their area. “She said to her husband, ‘I know that this man who often comes our way is a holy man of God'” (2 Kings 4:9).
As Elisha continued his ministry, the Lord used him mightily to do many miracles. For example, a child was born to this same barren couple after Elisha prayed. When Elisha told the woman she would have a child, it seemed impossible but it happened just as the prophet said. “‘About this time next year,’ Elisha said, ‘you will hold a son in your arms.’ ‘No, my lord!’ she objected. ‘Please, man of God, don’t mislead your servant!’ But the woman became pregnant, and the next year about that same time she gave birth to a son, just as Elisha had told her” (2 Kings 4:16-17).
As Elisha walked and talked, people learned to stoop down and serve the Lord even if nobody else took notice. When several unknown prophets and their families were hungry, Elisha prayed for God to multiply their small rations, as Jesus did later when He fed thousands of people. When Elisha told his servant that a small amount of bread would feed a hundred or more people, the servant doubted, but the prophet insisted and God did another incredible work. “‘How can I set this before a hundred men?’ his servant asked. But Elisha answered, ‘Give it to the people to eat. For this is what the Lord says: “They will eat and have some left over.”‘ Then he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the Lord” (2 Kings 4:43-44).
Elisha served boldly but gently, like Jesus. He was willing to be used however God needed, and was a vital part in the stories of many. Do you see yourself as a tool to be used for God’s glory?
— Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Georgia
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