In 2 Kings in the 6th chapter, we are told that those around Elisha wanted to expand the ministry, so they started a building project and one of the fellows had borrowed an ax to clear some timber near some water, and as he was doing so the head of the ax fell off into the water and was lost.
This fellow’s work for the Lord began with borrowed power, oh dear ones may we never forget this truth. Our effectiveness is always based upon the Spirit’s power and sometimes it is possible in the midst of service to lose your ax head, and you become not as sharp as you once were. The thrust of power begins to slip away until well, “you fly off the handle” if you know what I mean?
• Now to this fellow’s credit, he doesn’t keep chopping away with an ax handle, he’s lost his edge. So the first thing he does is go back to Elisha and confess that he’s lost his power.
• Second Elisha asks him where he’s lost it and we need to return to our first love my friends as well, get back to the place you lost your edge.
• The next thing we note is that Elisha cut down a stick and threw it into the water which speaks to us about trusting the Lord as He calls the foolish things of the world to confound the wise.
• Then finally Elisha tells the servant to bend down and pick it up, that’s what God always says to us after we have lost our edge “Pick it up for yourself”!
What great lessons we learn from Elisha!