Asking for Abundance

Reading just three short chapters in the book of 2 Kings this morning, one word came into view:

Abundance

First, Elisha, who has been following and learning from the prophet Elijah, receives a DOUBLE PORTION of the Spirit of God when Elijah passes into eternity.

Next, the armies of Israel receive a VALLEY full of water when they and their animals are thirsty.

Then, a widow receives an ENDLESS flow of oil when her pantry is empty.

And finally, a young boy receives a SECOND CHANCE at life after his untimely death.

It seems to me that God has an overflow of provision and goodness for His children, that maybe there is much more available to us than we realize.

We already know from James 1:17 that "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father..."

But what if we moved beyond knowing the source of all goodness and began pursuing the abundance that He holds?

We understand that to follow Christ is to lead a life of humility as He did, and in that, we can easily become content to just accept life as it is.  And while there is great value in contentment - it is a virtue that is not easy to come by - sometimes the line between contentment and complacency can be blurred.

Throughout scripture, we see that God goes above and beyond for His people; He parts the waters, He rains food from heaven, He knocks down city walls, He defeats vast armies, He opens prison doors...He embodies humanity itself, endures temptation, isolation, and rejection, and suffers the consequences of every sin that we would ever commit...

God operates in abundance.

But do we believe it?

James 4:2-3 says, "You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives".

It blows me away that Elisha asked not only to walk in the same incredible power that Elijah already had, but to receive TWICE as much!  Do I have the faith to ask that much of God?  Is my heart so hungry for Him and Him alone that I would receive it?

When the armies of Israel were thirsty, God not only provided them with enough to drink, He filled the entire valley with water - and then He used that gift as a part of His process to defeat their opponent.

In our humility, may we begin to also pursue the limitless ability of our God.  May we not only allow, but invite - ask in confidence for - that which is beyond our limited understanding.  And as we start receiving from His abundance, may we also experience victory within His provision.

"You may ask me for anything in my name."  John 14:14
Isn't it amazing that, as a part of our relationship with Him, Jesus invites us to ask?