How is your cutting edge?
“And the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “See now, the place where we dwell with you is too small for us.
Please, let us go to the Jordan, and let every man take a beam from there, and let us make there a place where we may dwell.” So he answered, “Go.”
Then one said, “Please consent to go with your servants.” And he answered, “I will go.”
So he went with them. And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees.
But as one was cutting down a tree, the iron axe head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, “Alas, master! For it was borrowed.”
So the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” And he showed him the place. So he cut off a stick, and threw it in there; and he made the iron float.
Therefore he said, “Pick it up for yourself.” So he reached out his hand and took it.”
We are all quick to ‘fly off the handle’ these days. Even more amazing than a swimming axe head are the spiritual truths found in these seven short verses. So let us look at them today. God has a way of sharpening dull Christians, and good things will ‘surface’ if we will return to where we lost our cutting edge!
I have heard a lot of good preachers speak on this passage, because it carries some great truths.
Verse 1. “And the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “See now, the place where we dwell with you is too small for us.”
Elisha and those working alongside of him said “This place is too small for us.” Here are men that see that you cannot keep the presence of God to themselves, or keep the presence of God in a building. The Temple in Jerusalem was one of the finest “church” buildings a place could have.
But, check out the miracles and teachings of Jesus. He went into every village, town and desert place. This building is the right size for us, BUT, it is not big enough for God’s presence! They saw their need to build and expand.
Verse 2 “Please, let us go to the Jordan, and let every man take a beam from there, and let us make there a place where we may dwell.” So he answered, “Go.”
I like the thought here. God’s man said to the people “Go.” Because it is a personal sacrifice. Our Labour, our finances, our prayers.
Verse 3 “Then one said, “Please consent to go with your servants.” And he answered, “I will go.”
Here is another blessing, when God’s man has a vision from the Almighty and he is able to take the people with them. “Prayer moves the hand that moves the world!”
Verse 4 “So he went with them. And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees.”
Elisha was with them, and they made progress. God is with us, and we are making progress. Yet, look what happened next!
Verse 5 “But as one was cutting down a tree, the iron axe head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, “Alas, master! For it was borrowed.”
He lost his power for service! What’s worse is that it was borrowed! Yet, all of our Christian ministry and power is borrowed of the Lord. For it is the Holy Spirit, who has the cutting edge for service
He was whacking away, and got into a rhythm, like the axe was an extension of his body, he had the hang it, and then suddenly, it flew of the handle! Just when we think it is our ministry, our power. We “fly off the handle” and ruin our service unto the Lord. We see so many Christians fall, when they do God’s work in their own strength.
Or try to borrow another man’s anointing. Remember that verse the demons said “Jesus we know, Paul we know, but who are YOU?” Now, this man finds himself in muddy water, and he has lost his cutting edge! Yet, he comes and calls for the master again. This man had been working for the Lord, but his power source was gradually slipping away!
He needed to keep in touch with the master/Lord, to keep our relationship with the Lord pure. See we are but the handle, and Christ is the head! Many preachers have lost their edge, but keep swinging away in the power of the flesh, like the disciples in Mark 9:18, wondering why they could not get anything done. Samson in Judges 16:20 He did not know the power was gone!
He needed to sharpen his axe, a sharp edge cuts quicker and easier. When a man keeps saying “that the work of the Lord is hard” maybe it is his own work! Jesus said “My yoke is easy.” He would have saved time by stopping to sharpen. We have a daily responsibility to be in the Word and in prayer.
Many times we allow our axe-head to be dulled by pride or self-interest. Sometimes Satan deceives us into thinking that we can serve God at times and still live a life of sin at other times, and then suddenly, we have lost our head (Christ). Despite what just happened, this man had wisdom: He had the sense to stop trying and get back to trusting!
As humans, we try many times to “make things happen.” How many Christians are still whacking away, powerlessly, making no progress, seeing no souls saved, never bringing visitors to church, never taking opportunities to minister to others or serve God in a church ministry?!
I wonder what Christians are whacking away powerlessly in their ministries, making no progress w/out the aid of the axe-head, the Holy Spirit?! “The Word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword.”Let God’s Word fill you. And be filled w/the Spirit. And accomplish much!
Verse 6 “So the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” And he showed him the place. So he cut off a stick, and threw it in there; and he made the iron float.”
Praise God we serve the God of the second chance! It is not too late! “Where did it fall?” How did you lose your cutting edge, the Holy Spirit’s power? You have not lost His presence, He lives in your heart, and you have lost His indwelling power. You are not walking in the Spirit, not filled with the Spirit!
Where fell it?
Are you disobeying God’s Word?
Are you playing with a sin in your life?
Are you bitter against someone?
Have you allowed yourself to be lifted up with pride?
Are you rebelling against authority instead of submitting to it?
Are you jealous or envious?
Are you refusing to witness to someone God has laid on your heart?
Where fell it?
“He showed him the place
The hardest thing you ever did was level with God over your sins. The word, “confess” literally means to “call it what it is.” When you got saved, you admitted your sins to Almighty God. He knew you had done them. He just needed you to admit to it. You will never find the life of power ‘til you point to where you lost it and call it what it is!
“So he cut off a stick, and threw it in there;
The stick representative of the cross of Christ. Plunged into sin’s mucky waters to redeem a lost soul.
“He made the iron float.”
The iron did swim! It was a miracle! Every miracle that has happen in your life is because of the cross!
Verse 7 “Therefore he said, “Pick it up for yourself.” So he reached out his hand and took it.”
Accept forgiveness and move on!
