Elisha was one of the greatest prophets that ever lived. He served Elijah for over ten years and requested a double portion of his spirit over his life. Elijah, told him that he would receive it, if he saw him being taken up to heaven (2Ki.2), and sure enough Elisha stayed with Elijah to the last moment and received his reward.

Incidentally, Elisha performed double the miracles of his master, Elijah! In 2Ki.4, we see the miracle of the widow and the jar of oil. From this passage of Scripture, we can glean five simple truths that will help turn our trials into triumph. 

Trials are part of life 

“A certain woman of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, saying, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD. And the creditor is coming to take my two sons to be his slaves” (2Ki.4:1). 

This woman was known to Elisha, as she was the wife of one of the prophets. Now she was a widow, and worse there were creditors hounding her. The stark reality of life is that we will be faced with trials some time or the other. The psalmist said that the afflictions of the righteous are many, but God will deliver him from them all. (Ps.34:19) Jesus Himself stated that we must carry our cross daily and follow Him (Lk.14:27). Yes, in this world we will have trouble. But it is also God’s will that we prosper even as our soul prospers (3Jn.2). The first truth that we must realize and accept is that trials are part of life. Trials can either build you or break you - it’s your choice! 

Tell your problems to God

“So Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you?“ (2Ki.4:2).
The widow tells her problems to Elisha, the man of God. And he asks her a very simple question, “What shall I do for you?” The very same question the Elisha had asked him few chapters prior! Tell your problems to God, because He wants to know from you, what YOU want HIM to do! Be specific about your issues. The answer to every problem is in the Word of God. Read the Bible and allow God to speak to your heart. 

Take stock of what you have

 “tell me, what do you have in the house?” (2Ki.4:2). 
Thirdly, Elisha asks the widow another question, which is extremely profound, “what do you have in the house?” Elisha was speaking of her house literally, but today as the New Covenant people, God is asking us what wee have in our house. We are the Temple of God! The born-again believer is the house in which the Spirit of God dwells. You need to take stock of what you have in your life. To the one who has, much more will be given, said Jesus (Mt.25:29). 

Trust in the power of the Spirit 

‘And she said, “Your maidservant has nothing in the house but a jar of oil”’ (2Ki.4:2). 
Here is the widow’s response - She had a jar of oil in the house. Oil is a type of the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit is all that we will need! If you are filled with the Spirit of God, you can rely on His power to see you through any trial! The Holy Spirit is your God-sent Companion who will enable you to overcome every difficulty. Trust in His power! 

Tread with expectancy 

‘Then he said, “Go, borrow vessels from everywhere, from all your neighbors empty vessels; do not gather just a few. “And when you have come in, you shall shut the door behind you and your sons; then pour it into all those vessels, and set aside the full ones. So she went from him and shut the door behind her and her sons, who brought the vessels to her; and she poured it out. Now it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not another vessel.” So the oil ceased. Then she came and told the man of God, And he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest”’ (2Ki.4:3-7). 

Finally we see that Elisha asks the woman to borrow vessels to pour in the oil. Not just a few but as much as she could. This implies expectancy. Expect great things from God. The Lord told Elisha to tell this widow that when all the empty vessels were gathered, to “shut the door upon you and your sons, and you shall pour out into all the vessels, and you shall set aside that which is full”. This tells us that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit (signified by the oil being poured into the vessel) is for only God’s chosen, redeemed, born-again believer! (Jn.14:17).

The oil’s supply remained until all the vessels were filled after which it stopped. Elisha then tells the widow, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debt; and you and your sons live on the rest.” Spiritually speaking, you are commanded to “Go” in the power of the Spirit, “sell the oil” is to allow the Spirit of God to use you for His purpose which is entirely within the framework of the accomplished work at Calvary, “pay the debt” refers to the fact that you must win souls, just as you have received salvation, you owe it to God to tell others about Christ, “and live” because, where the spirit of God is, there is life! 

May the hand of God empower you as you give Him what you’ve got, so that he can use it to perform great miracles for you! 

Copyright © Jan 2010. 

Author: Rev. Ernest V. George is the founder & Senior Pastor of Garden City Assembly of God Church, Bangalore.