July 29, 2022

“Recovering What You’ve Lost”

I don’t know about you, but I find it easy to misplace and lose things. Just two weeks ago, I put our shed key in my pocket and went out to do some trimming. When I went to return the trimmer to the shed the key was gone. It simply vanished into thin air! I hadn’t performed any summer saults nor had I attempted to stand on my head. Nonetheless, even though I’d been upright the entire time I used my weed-whacker, the key was gone! How does that happen? [Imagine Twilight Zone theme music]

As a believer, I’ve been known to lose things too. For periods of time I’ve lost my peace, my joy, and even my sense of hope. There’s a story in 2 Kings 6:1-7 that illustrates how easy it is to lose things, but also how good God is in helping us recover what we’ve lost. Here’s that story.

Now the sons of the men who tell what will happen in the future said to Elisha, “See, the place where we are living under your care is too small for us. ² Let us go to the Jordan and each of us cut down a tree there. And let us make a place for us to live there.” So Elisha said, “Go.” ³ Then one of them said, “Be pleased to go with your servants.” And Elisha answered, “I will go.” ⁴ So he went with them. When they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. ⁵ But as one of them was cutting a tree, the ax head fell into the water. The man cried out, “It is bad, sir! The ax belongs to another man, and I was to return it.” ⁶ The man of God said, “Where did it fall?” And when he showed him the place, Elisha cut off a stick and threw it in, and the iron came to the top of the water. ⁷ He said, “Pick it up.” So his servant put out his hand and took it.

I love this story and look forward to sharing the incredible hope I find in it. We have a God Who is more than ready to help us recover what we’ve lost. As you prepare for Sunday, I want you to think about something – what do you think the ax head in this story represents?

I look forward to seeing you on Sunday, and if you’ve seen my shed key please bring it with you to church!

pastor jamie