Day 3 of 5: When the Axe Head Sinks
Have you ever been working hard for God, serving faithfully, yet feeling like something is missing? Like you're going through the motions but the power just isn't there anymore? There's an Old Testament story that perfectly captures this experience.
In 2 Kings, a young man was helping to build a place for the prophets to meet. He was doing good work, using a borrowed axe, when suddenly the iron axe head flew off and sank into the Jordan River. Imagine his panic! He was using borrowed equipment, and now it was lost. He cried out to the prophet Elisha for help.
This story is a powerful picture of what happens in our spiritual lives. We often get so busy doing good things - serving at church, helping others, maintaining Christian routines - that we don't notice when we've lost our spiritual edge. Just like that young man, we're using borrowed power (God's power), and sometimes we lose it without even realizing it at first.
The axe head represents the spiritual power and effectiveness that should characterize every believer's life. When it's missing, we can still go through the motions of serving God, but we're just hitting the water with a stick. We're working hard but accomplishing little of eternal value.
The encouraging news is that spiritual power can be recovered! Just as the axe head was restored in the biblical account, God wants to restore your spiritual effectiveness. But first, you need to recognize where you lost it and be honest about your current condition. You can't fix a problem you won't acknowledge exists.
Bible Verse
'The man of God asked, "Where did it fall?" When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float.' - 2 Kings 6:6
Reflection Question
Can you identify a specific time or situation when you began to lose your spiritual edge, and what steps do you need to take to recover it?
Prayer
Lord, like the young man who lost the axe head, I confess that I've been trying to serve You without Your power. Help me honestly examine my spiritual condition and show me where I need restoration. I don't want to just go through the motions anymore. Amen.