DCLM Daily Manna 31 July 2024 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — “Recover The Lost Axe Head”
TOPIC: “Recover The Lost Axe Head” (DCLM Daily Manna 31 July 2024)
KEY VERSE: “But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed” (2 Kings 6:5).
TEXT: 2 Kings 6:1-7 (KJV)
1 And the sons of the prophets said unto Elisha, Behold now, the place where we dwell with thee is too strait for us.
2 Let us go, we pray thee, unto Jordan, and take thence every man a beam, and let us make us a place there, where we may dwell. And he answered, Go ye.
3 And one said, Be content, I pray thee, and go with thy servants. And he answered, I will go.
4 So he went with them. And when they came to Jordan, they cut down wood.
5 But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed.
6 And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim.
7 Therefore said he, Take it up to thee. And he put out his hand, and took it.
MESSAGE:
Before the advent of engine-powered sawing machines, many timber loggers in the early 60s and 70s in many African rainforests and other zones in the Amazon knew that axes were an indispensable tool for productivity and economic survival. Losing their axe heads for one reason or another was a serious matter and they often sought quick necessary intervention and remediation steps to recover the lost axe head because their livelihood depended on it.
The recovery of the lost axe head in this text is one of the most incredible miracles in the Bible. The students in one of the schools of the prophets embarked on an expansion programme with Elisha’s approval and support. But while cutting a beam, the axe head used by one of the students fell out into the stream. His dismay and cry of anguish attracted Elisha’s attention. The prophet intervened and caused the iron axe head to float.
This event teaches that God is omnipotent and is interested even in the minutest details of our daily life. If necessary, He overrules natural laws to help us. Making the axe head float significantly relieved the poor student who could have had trouble facing the owner. But, more importantly, recovering the lost axe head reminds us of the possibility of a believer losing his spiritual cutting edge. As a spiritual metaphor, the loss of the spiritual axe head accounts for powerlessness, fruitlessness and the failure of many in life and ministry.
To recover the lost spiritual cutting edge, a believer must be earnest and realise the gravity of the loss – like the student who cried, “Alas, it was borrowed”. Then, such must identify where they lost the fire and power in their spiritual life and ministry and retrace their steps to the last point they experienced God.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Sinking hearts can float in the ocean of God’s grace.
THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
Philippians 1-4
Deeper Life Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
