God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak… to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised… even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
1 corinthians 1:27-29
In the miracles of Elisha, we see two truths: God’s work continues despite our foolish mistakes, and God’s work advances despite our obvious inadequacies. These truths should have three effects in our lives.
1. They should humble us
God’s work does not continue or advance because of some greatness in us. It continues despite our obvious inadequacies and our foolish mistakes. These truths should keep us humble.
2. They should comfort us
God’s story is always a story of redemption. So don’t ever let your foolish mistakes and your obvious inadequacies crush you. Use your foolish mistakes to learn wisdom. And use your obvious inadequacies to grow in faith. The Christian life is not about what you can do for God. It is about what God can do through you when you place yourself into His hands.
3. They should encourage us
If God can work through a student who can’t tell a safe plant from a poisonous one, then God can work through you. If God can work through a poor farmer whose firstfruits amount to only 20 loaves, then God can work through you.
God works through people who make foolish mistakes. He works through people who have obvious inadequacies. And that means that God can work through you.
Are the truths from the stories of Elisha having any effect in your life? How are they humbling you? Comforting you? Encouraging you?
