In the Old Testament, there are numerous instances where, despite prayers and faithfulness, individuals faced challenging circumstances or trials.
The Supernatural Stops for the Natural to Take Over
There was a famine, and Elijah, the prophet, had no water and food. But the Lord directed him to a widow at Zarepath.
The instruction for the widow was to make a little bread for the prophet Elijah first. The last bread for the widow and her son was to be given to Elijah.
The story of Elijah and the widow at Zarephath illustrates the concept of following divine instructions even when it seems contrary to common sense.
It highlights how God can intervene supernaturally to provide when the natural resources are insufficient.
The widow’s act of faith in following Elijah’s guidance led to a miraculous provision of flour and oil that only ran out once the land produced it again.
When the natural is not able, the supernatural will take over. When we have done all we can, the Lord will supernaturally undertake.
The supernatural continued until the natural could supply again, and the supernatural stopped.
The Supernatural Stops When the Natural Stops
Now, we will look at a different situation. When the Lord instructs us to do something in the natural, the supernatural will continue to manifest. The moment we stop doing the natural, the supernatural stops.
The story of the widow and Elisha shows us how God can provide supernaturally when individuals obediently act upon divine instructions, utilising what they have within their natural means.
The widow, facing a dire situation with debts and the threat of losing her sons, turned to Elisha for help. When asked what she had in her house, she mentioned having only a flask of olive oil. However, she followed Elisha’s instructions to borrow empty jars from her neighbours and poured the oil she had into these borrowed containers.
The widow did as she was told by following the Lord’s instruction given by Elisha.
It is important to note that the Lord gave the second instruction after she obeyed the first.
This narrative emphasises the importance of utilising what one possesses, even seemingly insignificant, as a starting point for God’s miraculous provision.
The widow’s obedience to gather jars and pour oil resulted in an overflow until all the containers were filled. The supernatural provision ceased only when she ran out of jars to fill.
The emphasis is when the individuals exhaust their efforts or capabilities in the natural realm, the supernatural provision also ceases.
God’s supernatural provision often operates with human effort and obedience, ceasing when the natural means or efforts end.
This story serves as a reminder of the synergy between human action and divine intervention in experiencing God’s miraculous provision.
The Supernatural Stops, When We Give Up
The account of Elisha and King Jehoash provides insights into the importance of complete obedience and persistence in following divine instructions.
In this story, while on his deathbed, Elisha instructs King Jehoash to take a bow and arrow and shoot through the eastern window. After the king shot one arrow, Elisha declared it the Lord’s arrow of victory over Aram, indicating the upcoming victory over the Aramenas at Aphek.
Then, Elisha instructs the king to take the remaining arrows and strike them against the ground. The number of times to strike wasn’t explicitly stated. King Jehoash strikes the ground three times and then stops, not realising the significance of his actions. Elisha expresses disappointment, stating that if the king had struck the ground more times, he would have ultimately defeated the enemy, but now he would only be victorious three times.
This story emphasises the importance of complete obedience and persistence in following God’s instructions. The king’s failure to continue striking the arrows against the ground, as directed by Elisha, resulted in an incomplete victory.
This story illustrates the principle that divine instructions may not always be explicit in every detail. Sometimes, individuals must exercise faith and persistence in obedience, even when specific details or outcomes are not directly stated.
The lesson derived from this story emphasises the importance of wholehearted obedience to God’s commands and continuing in faith and perseverance until instructed otherwise or until the desired outcome is achieved.
It emphasises the need to follow God’s guidance with determination and perseverance, even when the path may not seem clear, or the exact steps to achieve a goal are not explicitly stated.
In essence, the emphasis is that faith and obedience involve persistence, endurance, and a willingness to continue following God’s instructions until the desired result or further guidance is received from Him.
It’s a call to remain faithful, persistent, and unwavering in pursuing God’s will and HIs intended outcomes.