By: Juliet Constantine
And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place. And he cut down a stick, and cast it in thither; and the iron did swim. (2 Kings 6:6)
I never know that iron could swim! Gravity dictates that iron in water must sink to the bottom of the water. It is not light-weighted like oil that will float on top. Iron sinks. Yet, the Bible records one instance when a physical axe head swam. For those who didn’t know, here’s a synopsis of the story.
One day the Sons of the Prophet and Prophet Elisha decided to expand their school building as it was too small to house them all. Their plan was to cut trees to make lumber. One young man borrowed an axe and as he worked, the axe head became loose and fell in the river Jordan that flows nearby. Now, to me, that seems like a simple matter. Assuming that there must be at least a swimmer in their midst, the axe could’ve been easily retrieved by just a simple dive. Well, that’s what I thought until I looked deeper into the possible state of the River Jordan then. The deep waters may have been muddy. Maybe the river, in its high tide, was wearing its ‘khaki suit’ and swimming wasn’t a welcome pastime when it’s in that condition. And we know, from experience, that it’s almost impossible to find anything in the water when it’s in that condition. Whatever it was that caused the cry of fear from the lips of that trainee prophet, it was enough for God to respond immediately. Upon receiving a response to his inquiry where the axe head fell, Prophet Elisha cast a piece of stick into the water. And praise the Lord, the axe did swim!
If our good God saw the importance of allowing an axe to swim on murky waters, it is a straight testimony to his servants then, and now that God’s work would go on in-spite-of the increase in idolatry in the land. God’s truth would ‘swim’ irrespective of all the apostatizing – even among the sons of the prophets that were happening. We can take courage from God’s words that nothing is impossible for God to do. Absolutely nothing!
John Newton was right on point when he penned the words: “If God, in such a small affair, a miracle performs; it shows his condescending care of poor unworthy worms. Though kings and nations in his view are but as motes and dust; His eye and ear are fixed on you, who in his mercy trust. Not one concern of ours is small, if we belong to him; to teach us this, the Lord of all, once made the iron swim.”
“What is the case with you? What trouble presses you down? What heartache crushes you? Bring it to the throne of grace. Cast in the merit of Christ, your Substitute. Plead his name before your Father in heaven. The God of the prophets lives, and lives to help his people. Believe him. Trust the Lord of Hosts! Come to him pleading Christ’s name, and the iron shall swim. You too shall see the finger of God working His wonders for you.” (Don Fortner Sermon #1579)
Like the young trainee prophet, we can cry out for help in our times of fear and helplessness. We can stop bearing our heavy burdens all alone and seek a travelling partner who will shield off dangers yet unknown. We can reach out to Jesus who made the iron swim.
Our Father in Heaven, the burdens of life are too heavy for us to bear alone. Please, Father, lift them for us. We’ve become so discourage and disheartened at times, but please help us to remember that we can always reach out to You. Your miracles are not depleted nor Your love frozen. May we trust You with everything, we pray, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Copyrighted by Juliet Constantine 2014 (for “Alone With God – Finding Jesus In The Scriptures” Daily Devotional)
