Today’s scripture: 2 Kings 4:1-7 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (E’sha Cooper):
Whether we realize it or not, we are being trained everyday by the world to have certain expectations. You put a quarter in the bubble gum machine, what can you expect? A quarter piece of gum, no more, no less. You put $10 worth of gas in your car, you get the distance that the $10 will take you, no more, no less. And this happens to us all day, everyday, in just about every situation we encounter.
And so, with this tremendous amount of conditioning to the world’s way, it may cause us to think about and approach God in the same way. However, I believe God wants us to see why we can raise our level of expectation.
Here is our woman in today’s story. She has just lost her husband and the bill collectors are demanding payment of her debts. She probably expected that, because we all know that if you don’t pay your bills you can be sued. She went to the man of God and asked for his help and he listened and gave her some advice. She probably expected that, too, since he was the man of God and that was his job. As she followed the prophet’s advice, the widow probably expected that she would get just enough to pay the creditor, which was what she had asked for.
Now here is where things fall out of the line of normal expectations. She probably figured she’d have just enough to pay to keep her children, because that is what she really wanted. No more, no less. But God is different. God doesn’t just give you what you want, or even what you ask for; God gives you what you need. You can expect different.
So I encourage you today to expect more. If you need a job, expect God to give you a career that provides what you need. If you need shelter, expect God to give you a house with enough space for you to bless others with shelter, too. If you need money, expect God to give you enough to pay your bills and five other people’s bills as well. Expect more.
Thought for the day: Today I am expecting more than the bare minimum — I trust that God will give me what I need.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.