“For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich.” – 2 Corinthians 8:9

Scripture reading: 2 Kings 4:1-7

What difficulties this nameless woman faces because of the debts her evidently poor husband left her with, which threatened slavery to her sons. Yet, it is clear that he was rich toward God. He feared the Lord and, as one of the sons of the prophets, publicly identified himself with the Lord’s cause. It was likely because of this devotion that his widow is left in such extremity. Though there should have been a social safety net in Israel, she is reduced to nothing and her two sons are about to be enslaved by the creditor.

She turns to the God of all grace. At first glance, this is striking because, in a sense, she sees God as part of her problem. You catch a hint of this in her complaint in v. 1. Her husband feared the Lord and yet, despite that, the creditor was coming. Yet, what else can she do? To whom else can she go? She cries out to the Lord. And He answers and supplies her out of the riches of His glory.

I mentioned that someone should have helped her. There was biblical legislation to provide for the needy, particularly, the widows and fatherless. Apparently, no one does, so God Himself comes to the rescue. He has also done that in Jesus Christ to ransom us for Himself. And if He takes care of that need, can we not trust Him to care for all of our other ones too (Romans 8:32)?

Suggestions for prayer

Pray that God would supply every need of ours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus and that we would trust Him to do so. Pray that your Pastor might preach the unsearchable riches of Christ tomorrow for your joy and progress in the faith.

Reverend John van Eyk has served as Senior Pastor of Trinity Reformed Church (United Reformed) in Lethbridge, Alberta since 2017.