Focus

Pay attention to the tension in your body. Let go of it and any expectations to do anything other than God’s will today. Prepare yourself to hear God’s word.

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Read

2 Kings 4:38-41 (NRSV)

When Elisha returned to Gilgal, there was a famine in the land. As the company of prophets was sitting before him, he said to his servant, “Put the large pot on, and make some stew for the company of prophets.” One of them went out into the field to gather herbs; he found a wild vine and gathered from it a lapful of wild gourds, and came and cut them up into the pot of stew, not knowing what they were. They served some for the men to eat. But while they were eating the stew, they cried out, “O man of God, there is death in the pot!” They could not eat it. He said, “Then bring some flour.” He threw it into the pot, and said, “Serve the people and let them eat.” And there was nothing harmful in the pot.

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Reflect

As humans, we are all imperfect beings. We all sin, which separates us from God. It’s our “death in the pot.” Just like the servant who collected unknown herbs and gourds from the wild, we are guilty of taking advantage of the luxuries the world offers us that we know aren’t approved by God. But thankfully, we have Jesus. He is our bread of life and gave the ultimate sacrifice for us by accepting death or, in the case of this scripture, willingly throwing himself into the pot.

Elisha showcases the ultimate act of faith and trust in God by serving the stew. Simply throwing flour into the pot didn’t remove the poison, but he had faith that God would sustain them. This scripture serves as a great reminder that God provides for us. God gives us exactly what we need when we need it, and chasing after things we believe we “need” will only add more poison to our stew. It’s a wonderful feeling to know that through faith in Jesus, no matter how much poison we think we’ve added, our bread of life can conquer it all and there is “no harm in the pot.” All we have to do is accept Jesus.

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Pray

Dear God, thank you for alleviating the poisons in our stew. Thank you for seeing our imperfections and flaws and loving us enough to send your only son to die for us. It is a gift that we will never be worthy of, but you continue to show us your grace daily. Please help us to trust in you like Elisha did, and add more “flour” to our pots each day. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Go with God.