If we expect a crop, surely we need to first sow the seed? We can't just expect miracles to happen or "just have faith", but we need to work on those acts of faith that yield results, hence the saying "God helps those who help themselves." In 2 Kings 4:1-7 there's the interesting story of Elisha and a widow:
1 The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, "Your
servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his
creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves."
2 Elisha replied to her, "How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?"
"Your servant has nothing there at all," she said, "except a little oil."
3 Elisha said, "Go around and ask all
your neighbors for empty jars. Don't ask for just a few. 4 Then go inside and
shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each
is filled, put it to one side."
5 She left him and afterward shut the door behind her and her sons. They
brought the jars to her and she kept pouring.
6 When all the jars were full, she said to her son, "Bring me another one."
But he replied, "There is not a jar left." Then the oil stopped flowing.
7 She went and told the man of God, and he said, "Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left."
The widow is in an incredible situation here. Her husband has passed away, she's destitute, and her sons are about to be sold into slavery. But she chooses to seek God in this situation, and she runs to Elisha. Remember that God never places us in situations to be overwhelmed. He gives us these trials to bring us to a new, higher level of faith in the Lord. He's a good God, and He'll show Himself strong to those who are stedfast in Him.
Elisha however refused to let the widow be passive. He asks, "How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?". He doesn't do a quick-fix and solve all her problems with prayer and all that, though I'm not saying praying is wrong. But he doesn't do it for her, he lets her come through with an act of faith. The seed is sown, and once that's done we can expect the crop to come.
We never have nothing so long as we're children of God. Even that little bit of oil, God used to show His glory. Even when Paul and Silas were in jail, God used their hymns and prayers and turned it into a mighty earthquake, shattering the foundations of the prison. There's nothing too small and insignificant for God to use and make big. Think of that stone in David's sling. Think of that mustard seed. But for God to intervene, we first need to let go. So difficult for us to understand... to just let go and let God.
This tiny seed has tremendous potential, which would result in an incredible increase in the Lord's hands. But are we willing to give it up, to commit it all to Him? His plans for us are that of liberty and abundance. Sadly we always wait for signs and feelings, which shouldn't be the case. God's power is there, all we need to do is sow that seed. He moves in power when we act in faith.
Because if we seek Him with all our heart, we WILL find Him. Sow those seeds, and be prepared to reap that great harvest of souls originally we set out to do. The more we sow, the more results we'll see. And God too, is the epitome of faithfulness; He will reward accordingly.
Oh and, FLAME ON!
In His Love,
Fabriz
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