Do you trust God? How much? How far?

 

John and Sandy McMath went on a mission trip to Kenya. They experienced God and fell in love with His people there. We shared this in John's Note "How Was Your Trip?" Due to space, we did not include a warning they received from the US government regarding travel to Kenya. Their reaction?

 

"After a year of planning and fund raising, we ignored the State Department's travel advisories..."

 

John and Sandy prayed. Convinced God would arrange everything, they found Him working in Kenya and telling them to join Him there. So despite government warnings for their safety, they trusted God and completed the mission.

 

Trust is an interesting thing. If an issue is minor, trusting God is easy. But if we're in trouble---when all is at stake and we stand to lose everything---He is often our last resort. Only when we exhaust all other resources do we turn to Him. Even then, we don't trust Him with everything.

 

Centuries ago, a follower of Elisha died in great debt. His widow told the Prophet she had nothing in her home but a little oil and asked his help. Elisha instructed her: Borrow many empty jars from all who live around you. Once you and your sons are inside your home, shut the door. Then pour out your oil into all these jars, setting aside each that is full. (see2 Kings 4:3-4)

 

This passage has been the subject of many lessons on God's miraculous power and the woman's trusting obedience. But there's a problem with that last part. What actually happened?

 

She walked away and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought jars to her and she poured out the oil. When the jars were full, she said to her son, "Bring me another jar." He said, "There are no more." And the oil ceased. (see 2 Kings 4:5-6)

 

While two versions* of the Bible claim the widow did as she was told, nothing in the original Hebrew indicates she followed the Prophet's instruction. Instead, it reads...she walked away. The woman was instructed to beg and plead with everyone who lived around her (literally, all fellow citizens who lived outside her walls) and borrow many jars. She never did.

 

Instead, the woman chose her path. She went home, closed the door, and had her sons bring her own jars. How do we know? Because the Hebrew says Elisha wanted her to use "these jars", the ones she was to borrow. But any such reference is missing when it's time for her to pour the oil. Literally, the Hebrew translates simply as "They brought near. She poured out."

 

The woman did not trust Elisha, so she only partly obeyed...behind closed doors where no one could see. And when her few jars were full, the miraculous flow from that little oil ceased.

 

Trust requires a loving relationship. Jesus loves us so much that He gave His life so that we might live with Him forever. How much do we love Him? Do we do what He tells us to do? When He says, Jump!, do we say, "How high?" or "What for?"

 

John and Sandy trusted God. He said, Go to Kenya, and they trusted Him to prepare the way. When the US warned against traveling to Kenya, they trusted God that this mission was His will for them. And because they trusted Him, He poured out His blessings...which have not ceased!

 

So...do you trust God? Will you follow His way for your life? Are you willing to give Him control?