Everyday Miracles: 20 Day Journey With Elijah And ElishaSample

Though the commodities of the world grow scarce, the oil of the Holy Spirit never runs out. 

There is more to God’s grace than you know. 

My 84-year-old mother excitedly bought a new car this year. The current year model Toyota has some surprising standard features (like blind-spot warning, laser distance cruise control, and lane correction steering). Pretty cool stuff. But, as I heard her tell someone recently, “I don’t know how to use it all.” 

The living God – the Holy Spirit Himself – lives in and with you. He is the Creator of the ends of the earth who has all understanding and knowledge. You will never, not here or even in eternity, know the fullness of His infinite worth. His love is from everlasting to everlasting and His grace knows no bounds. 

When a widow pleaded for the prophet Elisha’s help, the man of God gave her an unusual command. He instructed her to take her only possession, a little jar of oil, and pour it into borrowed jars. So she did as the prophet had instructed. The widow borrowed vessels from her neighbors, took her one jar of oil and began pouring it into one of the borrowed vessels. A breathtaking miracle transpired. The oil didn’t run out. So, she filled another jar, and another, and another. The oil didn’t stop flowing until there was no empty vessel ready to receive it. 

Throughout scripture, oil is a symbol of the Holy Spirit. His life and joy and power never run out. Though we live in a world of scarcity, God is eternally spilling over with goodness. 

Some of the most precious things in life only increase when you pour them out. Joy doesn’t diminish when you share it – it increases. No one says, “I better not laugh now – I better save it.” Likewise, love doesn’t run out. In fact, the more you give love away, the more you love. No mother says, “I better not hug and kiss my sweet baby today lest I run out of love.” In fact, the more the mother expresses love to the baby, the more she bonds with her child and, thus, the more she loves her little one. 

God’s grace, like the widow’s oil, doesn’t run out when you draw upon it; when you draw upon God’s grace, it increases. And that’s the Gospel!

Questions for Reflection

1) Make a list of things that are precious to you. Which thing in your list can run out and which can’t ever expire or go away? Spend a few moments journaling about what is most valuable to you in this world.

2) Elijah surprised the widow by asking her to pour out her one valuable commodity, a jar of oil. Has there ever been a time when you had to pour out your treasure in order to see it increase? What did it feel like? What gave you courage to pour it out?

3) Like the widow’s oil, the love, grace and grandeur of God is deeper than you can ever fathom. What virtues and facets of God’s life and character to you long to see and appreciate more? What aspects of God’s grace do you want to draw upon more deeply? Journal prayerfully about some of the ways you hope to grow in knowledge and love of God.

Prayer for the Day

Lord, your love never runs out. Your grace goes on and on. And, yet, you know how quick I am to worry and fret about the scarcities of life. Teach my heart to trust in your infinite grace. Pour out your Holy Spirit afresh in my life. Let the oil of gladness anoint my life with the aroma of Christ. Pour out your love into my heart until it spills over with ever widening mercy toward all in my world. Multiply the gifts that you’ve given me and grant me grace to share the benefits of your oil with others. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.