The prophet Elisha is out in the woods with his school of prophets cutting trees down to build a new facility when an ax head comes loose and goes flying in to the river. That is when God showed Elisha that he would be retrieving it by throwing a stick upon the water in the very same area where the ax head landed. What does a stick, floating on the water, have to do with retrieving this heavy sunken object? As a prophetic man of God, and also directing a prophetic school, he was already well versed in the supernatural hand of God. He probably knew that this would be another moment when God was about to provide keen evidence that with God all things are possible.
“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen.” ~ Heb.11:1
“Evidence.” An iron object that is not visible to the human eye coming to the surface….right next to that little stick that has no power at all – except as an instrument used by God to increase the faith of all involved. And, that is exactly what happened!
Another faith factor, and added drama, is the dismay of the young man who lost a borrowed ax head. In those days iron ax heads were extremely valuable. Tension is mounting. Even so, Elisha seemed unconcerned about how God would remedy this while this young man, and others, were looking on. He knew they would have to lean on his faith until they could realize it for themselves…which is part of training. All of it is fashioned by God to bring more opportunity to disciple these men.
One of the students suggested they build a larger facility, and Elisha sent them off with his blessing. But that was not the blessing that the young man wanted. He wanted the blessing of Elisha accompanying them. Once invited Elisha immediately agreed. So…if Elisha hears from God, and if he is the one given the mantel to carry on God’s work, why wouldn’t he be the first to know they needed to expand? By remaining silent he is passing the baton – so to speak. They will learn to take risks, be bold, trust their own judgment, learn that they are hearing from God, and that it is safe to speak it out.
Regarding the young man that lost the ax head; he was in a prophetic school experiencing the supernatural hand of God, and I believe he had great anticipation of how his mentor would model faith – in action. Almost like being “on the edge of his chair” waiting to see what God will do next. Okay, the stick is lying in the water…so…now what? He hears a sound of gurgling…and there lay the ax head – in plain sight!
As the young man stands there taking it all in Elisha shouts, “Grab it!” In other words, walk in to the will of God, young man. Grab hold of it as He presents it, and before it is out of sight again. The time is now! In essence, this is what I am committed to model for my clients and students, “Grab hold of it.” What I am teaching, mentoring, counseling, training, and speaking in to them is to grab hold of what God just did for them, and is doing. Even if you do not believe it right now.
For 9 years I have been accustomed to working (mostly) with people in their 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and even a couple of 70’s. Now God is bringing more men and women in their 20’s and 30’s. Not only are they getting sessions (healing), but they want more! They are, in fact, “on the edge of the chair”, witnessing the Holy Spirit revealing that “ax head’s” can float.
They are responding to the call to, “Grab hold!” Grab hold of all that God is doing, and wants to do, as He shows them (for example) why they keep doing what they do not want to do ( Romans 7 ). They know that “ax heads” sink, and know they can be quick to dive in and retrieve it. But now! But now they have learned that not only does God want to bring the heavy weight to the surface, but they can watch (and learn) how the – Holy Spirit – brings greater testimony when He brings things to the surface!
They come as both single and married. They have young children, pregnant, planning a family, or maybe no plans for children. The singles are getting healing before they make that grand choice in a spouse. In these young people I see a passion like I have never seen.
Some profess that they could never (no way) be a biblical counselor. I sometimes tell them how I thought the same way – if not worse! But my pastor believed in me, and I leaned on his faith. My students will need to lean on my faith (in them) until they are throwing sticks in to the water – and believing God to do the impossible. “But for you who fear My name the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will leap for joy like calves released from the stall” (Malachi 4:2). My friend Sheryll just recently was invited, by God, to be a midwife to her daughter in Argentina. That was not her plan though. The reason she went was to help with the other grand kids. But…within a few minutes after her daughter’s water broke, and her first contraction, there was the baby’s head in grandma’s hand! With one more contraction Sheryll found herself grabbing her new grandson and bringing him in to life outside the womb. God knew she would be there to do what needed to be done – especially with Oliver being 2 ½ weeks early, not having full lung capacity, and no hospital near by. There was fear and anxiety, but that soon turned in to one of the most glorious and rewarding events of Sheryll’s life. A “hands on”, grab hold of – miracle. To my readers. A word from the Lord this morning: “Things are going great; your growing in the Lord; you take a risk, but in doing so you fly off the handle. Do not dismay – it is being modeled for you to seize the opportunity – of a borrowed faith that there lies an opportunity…iron clad opportunity…to take a risk. Grab hold before it is out of sight! “