“And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.”
Genesis 1:3
Since the beginning of time, God has worked instant miracles. Of course, many miracles occurred after some time had elapsed: Hezekiah waited three days before he was healed; Naaman had to wash in the Jordan River seven times before his leprosy was exchanged for robust health; God took the time to sculpt Adam before He breathed life into him.
The Day Iron Floated
From the moment Elisha used Elijah’s mantle to part the Jordan River, the newly appointed servant of the Lord gripped tightly to the double portion of the Holy Spirit that he had been granted. Over the years of his service, Elisha worked countless miracles for the benefit of the people who needed to see God at work.
The dwelling place at one of the schools of the prophets had grown too small for the number of people under Elisha’s tutelage. The students went to fell trees at the Jordan River. In the process of hewing the wood, the axe head used by one worker loosened from the handle, sailed through the air, and plopped into the deep water, sinking to the floor of the river.
The young man shrieked, “Alas, master! for it was borrowed” (2 Kings 6:5).
Upon learning where the axe head had splashed into the water, Elisha came to the rescue. The man of God severed a twig from its branch. He tossed it over the spot where the iron had sunk into flowing river. Instantly, the heavy object rose to the surface and floated. This student at the school gratefully retrieved it and returned to his work.
A Different Iron Revived
Recently, our ministry team had a work day. Assembled were the president, the bookkeeper, and me, and I am largely responsible for written communications.
We were setting up for that day’s tasks. All of us began to boot up our computers so we could accomplish the project list for the day. Michelle tried several times before expressing exasperation that hers remained silent and black. Even the software engineer in the house could not revive the equipment.
Routinely, we start a workday with prayer, but that morning we just spoke about having a prayer but that was it — just talk, no action. Remembering that we had not consulted with the Lord that morning, we stopped and gifted our hands and minds to our God almighty.
We then returned to our business. Michelle clicked the “on” button one more time, and the computer popped to life just like it had every other workday.
Call to Action
To often we take for granted what may seem to be mundane things, like a computer turning on when the power button is pressed. When those things we expect to happen normally, but they do not, is it possible that we have not consulted with Omnipotence? Make prayer a routine before you do anything. Even the challenges in life will become easier to manage.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and pleading with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NKJV).
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture taken from the King James Version. New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
