Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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WHEN YOU REACH THE END OF YOUR ROPE
2 Kings 4:1-7


Teji Thomas
Chicago MTC, IL

2 Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you?

Have we ever felt trapped? Have we ever felt like we were at the end of our rope? What do we do when we reach that point? The realist would say, “Just tie a knot and hang on.” The pessimist would say, “You might as well let go; it’s only going to get worse.” The optimist might say, “Just tie another knot and keep on climbing.” Each of those has its merits but, in reality, what can we do?
Some are in that very place today! They are at the end of their rope and there is a long drop beneath them and they do not know what to do.
Ø  What does one do when they are facing problems with their children that they cannot solve; when their marriage is on the rocks and the crashing waves of hopelessness are unrelenting?
Ø  What does one do when there are problems at work and it seems that there is no way out; when they have too much month left at the end of their money?
Ø  What does one do when they have followed a loved one’s body to the graveyard and they cannot escape the loneliness, the grief and the pain; when their heart is broken, their dreams are shattered and their hopes have been dashed to bits on the cruel rocks of reality?
Ø  What does one do when they are walking through a spiritual wasteland and there seems to be no way out?
ONLY our Lord has the answers to all those questions. Yes, there is  help in the verses we have read today. This passage tells us about a poor, widow woman who was at the end of her rope, she did not know what to do or where to turn, in her pain and poverty she did the only thing that she knew & could do: she turned to the Lord. When she did that, God came through for her in a very big way!
This passage teaches us the glorious truth that God has a plan for our problem. These verses show us that just as God took care of this widow, He will take care of each one of us. This passage lets us know that when we reach the end of our rope, there is help and there is hope. Despite the despair, death & debt she was devoted to the Lord.
We will have to face trial & tribulations in our lives; Satan is ever revolving around us waiting for a chance to pounce on that precious moment where he can gain control of our lives; he did NOT spare the Son of Man but tempted Him thrice in the wilderness.
When we are tempted and bogged with the burden of sin and at the end of the rope with no hope in sight; remember the Blood that was shed on the cross for you and me; as we traverse this period of great Lent; may the Blood of the innocent lamb shed on the cross; “free us from the burden of sin”.

PRAYER

Almighty Lord, Heavenly Father, we, Your children have sinned against You and have no hope without You. We thank You for Your sacrificial love on the cross to redeem us from our sins. Amen

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
"For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope." Jeremiah 29:11

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