A Humble Solution

Based on 2 Kings 4-5, Psalm 70

As we saw through the life of Elijah, God continued to show Himself more powerful than any other false god (which had no power whatsoever!), or any other man-made solution...but there was always one ingredient required: humility. This is quite the opposite of the entitlement we see in our world today. People are trying to gain so much through pride, but things are getting worse and not getting better. We need a Godly solution in this Godless society, as our Pastor has been preaching! Elisha certainly did have that double portion of Elijah's spirit, and that double portion came with humility toward God-which proved itself powerful!

A widow woman came to Elisha (very similar to the situation with Elijah!), and her husband was dead, and her sons were to be taken as bondmen to pay her debt. She was desperate for her sons to stay with her, so she was willing to do anything:

"And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed. Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest." 2 Kings 4:6‭-‬7.

The woman borrowed vessels, and had one of her own, and ALL were filled with oil to pay her debt! She did not question the plan, but humbly accepted it. Another woman was also blessed by honoring the man of God:

"And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my Lord, thou man of God, do not lie unto thine handmaid. And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life." 2 Kings 4:16‭-‬17.

This woman made room for Elisha to stay at her house every time he needed a place to rest. Elisha honored her for her humble act. Although she questioned if it were possible to be blessed with a child in return for her hospitality, God honored her for honoring Elisha. However, sometimes God tests us using the very thing we've been blessed with, because He wants to show His power even further. This child ended up dying, but still the promised child lived on in a miraculous way:

"And he went up, and lay upon the child, and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child; and the flesh of the child waxed warm. Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes." 2 Kings 4:34‭-‬35.

Before the child was revived as God miraculously used Elisha, the woman ran out to the man of God and found him. This shows that she knew what she needed to do. She knew how to find her solution-and it was a Godly solution she sought!

Naaman was also a man who sought a Godly solution, but he did have to learn some humility if he wanted to be healed from his leprosy:

"And Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, Go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean. But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper."
2 Kings 5:10‭-‬11.

Naaman felt disrespected since the prophet Elisha did not go out to heal him in person. Instead, Elisha sent out his servant to explain what Naaman must do. He did not humbly accept the plan because of pride! However, Naaman's servants encouraged him to go and dip in the Jordan river 7 times, and that it really wasn't a hard thing to ask of him to do! If we would just rid ourselves of pride, I think we would all see that the solutions we seek are pretty simple!

"Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God: and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean. And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant. But he said, As the Lord liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused." 2 Kings 5:14‭-‬16.

God was made known as the ONLY solution! Now Naaman understood Elisha's humble ways...he did not want any credit or gift for himself; he just wanted to give glory to God...and that's where we find our solutions! Maybe if we all take more steps down, we will find our way up!