The short story in the beginning of 2 Kings 6 speaks to us today of a miracle performed by Elisha that caused an iron axe head to float upon the waters of the Jordon River, contrary to the law of gravity.
Elisha, as the prophet of God, was given headship over the school of the prophets. When the student prophets felt their residence was too small they approached Elisha saying, see now, we have outgrown our living place and we desire to build a larger house at a place along the Jordan River. The beams we will need to build our home can be cut out of the trees that grow along the banks of the Jordan. Elisha tells them “go”. One of them asks Elisha if he will go with them, he says “I will go”. So Elisha went with them to the Jordan and they began to cut down trees. As one of the student prophets was cutting down a tree, his axe head slipped off its wooden handle and plunged into the Jordan River. He cries to Elisha “What am I going to do? I borrowed the axe”. Elisha asked him “where did it fall?” The student shows Elisha the exact place where the axe head fell into the muddy Jordan River. Elisha cuts off a stick and throws it into the river where the axe fell and suddenly the weighty iron axe head floated to the water’s surface. Elisha tells the man to “Pick it up for yourself”. The man reached out his hand and took it.
(I pray God ministers to your heart this portion of scripture the same way He did mightily to me.)
Sometimes it may seem as if a personally ministered promise or dream that has been given to us disappears and slips away under the dark murky waters of life. Just as illustrated in this account of one of the student prophets. He was especially distraught over losing the axe head at the bottom of the Jordan River because it wasn’t his, he had borrowed it!! Our dreams and promises belong to God; He is the originator of everything we have. It’s His plan!! It is His gift! “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (Jms1:17). God commissions us in His work as His vessels and light to the world. He has called us according to His purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began (2Tm 1:9). At times along the way, we may lose our focus and confidence in God, realizing that our dreams and aspirations have died. The man in this story (also a learner) cried out and sought the help of Elisha, the prophet of God. Almighty God is the only one who can revive sunken dreams and resurrects dead promises! He is the Restorer and Giver of Life! He is the great “I AM THAT I AM” (Ex 3:14). This covenant name manifests the eternal availability of God’s love and power. When we call on His name, He comes to give us what we need.
What an exciting day it must have been! After the student prophet lost his borrowed axe head in the Jordan River, he did not attempt to find it himself, instead he cries out for Elisha expressing the grief of his predicament. Elisha asked him in calm, reassuring voice…. “Where did it fall?” The man tells Elisha the exact place it had sunk in the muddy Jordan. The next thing we know Elisha is cutting off a stick and throwing it in the river where the axe-head sat on the bottom of the Jordan. Very peculiar behavior! But what happens next is why I am so excited about this account in scripture! Once the stick touched the water, the iron axe-head resurfaced, symbolizing new life, new future and new possibilities! Also, the retrieval of the axe head relieved the man from the anxiety of shame and disappointment of having lost what was borrowed. It was a miracle! Halleluiah, Praise you Jesus! It rose off the rivers’ bottom and swam to the surface.
Elisha tells the man, “pick it up” and that’s exactly what he did. I believe God wants us to pick up our hope! To take hold of our promise! It does not matter where you lost it…maybe you lost hope because of addiction, accident, illness, failed marriage, bankruptcy, prison or other hardships…go to God and tell Him you want to “pick up” your lost dream or promise!! When we are symbolically dead, lying on the bottom of the Jordan River with waters encompassing us; the Supernatural Resurrection power of the Holy Spirit will revive us.
“But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you” (Rm 8:11).
Jesus Christ, our example, died on a wooden Cross and rose again 3 days later! Even though for a time you may sorrow, YOU WILL REJOICE! No one or no circumstance can take joy out of your heart…..the person of Christ who lives within you and He is not sad. He has finished the work and is entered into His rest and we can too. Jesus wants to bring us into the glory He has right now, not only when we die and go heaven. “At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you” (Jn 14:20).
That “day” is now! Just as sure as Jesus was resurrected from the dead and is now seated at the right hand of God in the Throne Room, so are we because we are in Christ! We are seated in heavenly places, in the throne room! “To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” Col 1:27.
Do you believe it? Reach out now and pick up your promise!!
