In 2 Kings 4:7, we read the story of a woman who had lost her husband and had fallen into debt. The widow reaches out to Elisha and says to him “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves.”

Elisha asked her how he can help and if she has anything in the house. She replied saying that she has nothing except a small jar of olive oil. Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.” She left him and shut the door behind her and her sons. They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring.  When all the jars were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another one.” But he replied, “There is not a jar left.” Then the oil stopped flowing. She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left.”

This story is an amazing reminder of how God can work miracles in your life even when it seems like all hope is lost. We find out in the story that the widow’s late husband was a god-fearing man. We also learn that he used to work with Elisha to serve God. When the widow came to Elisha for help, it seemed like he was already ready for her based on the very specific instructions he gave her about the oil jars. It was as if God has already put into Elisha’s mind a prophecy about what was going to happen. God has planned the whole thing.

This story is very much in keeping with what Jesus said in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” The husband had served the Lord with Elisha and even after he was gone, God had a plan in place to take care of the family he left behind. When we seek the kingdom of God and serve then God has promised to take care of our needs also in this world. The keyword here is “needs” not “wants”. God knows when there is a need in our lives that must be fulfilled. God also uses the people in our lives to help us when we need it the most.

The fact that the widow’s husband worked with Elisha was not a coincidence. The fact that the widow had only a small jar of oil left behind in her house was not a coincidence. The fact that Elisha was there to guide the widow towards her miracle was not a coincidence. The fact that she had neighbors all around her with tons of empty jars was not a coincidence. The fact that provided more than what she needed to pay off her debts to take care of both her sons is not a coincidence. With God, there is no coincidence. Like Philippians 4:19 says “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” The oil will never run dry in your life when God gets involved. He will take care of those who serve him and his kingdom as he has promised. It may not happen in your time or the way you want it but it will happen the way God has it planned.