Don't Loose Your Cutting Edge!

"They went to the Jordan and began to cut down trees.  As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head fell into the water.  "Oh, my lord," he cried out, "it was begged!"  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.  "Lift it out," he said.  Then the man reached out and took it."  II Kings 6:6-7

This powerful narrative explores a timeless theme that is relevant for all of us who serve the living God.  In the narrative the prophet Elisha tells the company of the prophets that their common dwelling is too small for all of them, and therefore they must build another home.  Imagine building a home without the consent of a building department or permits!

The company of the prophets planned to build a very simple home, but even for such a small project they required the right tools for the job.  It seems that tools were a precious commodity, and in order to complete the task of building their home one of the prophets borrowed an ax head.  As the man worked he lost the ax head and it flew into the Jordan River.

Well, under normal circumstances that would be the end of the ax head, and the prophet would have to go to the party from whom he borrowed it and explain to the individual what happened to his property.  But the prophet does not do the expected, and neither does he do the obvious.  He goes to the great prophet Elisha and tells him what happened.

The prophet goes to Elisha and tells him that he has lost his cutting edge.  It is a marvelous confession.  It is simple and to the point. There are no excuses offered by the prophet.  It happened to him as he was engaged  in the work of ministry.  He did not mean to lose his cutting edge but nevertheless it happened.

Have you lost your cutting edge in the work of the Lord?  You have been faithful in ministry, but at some point on the timeline of faith you realized the the cutting edge was no longer in your life.  Trying to hide the loss does not work, and lying about it will never suffice.

The prophet told Elisha that he lost the ax head; he told him by faith.  Elisha asked him "Where did it fall?"  It is good to know that God wants to know where we lost our cutting edge.  Confession is our rescue from bewildering loss.  Elisha threw in a stick where the edge was lost.  The cross is where we must return in order to regain our edge.  The iron ax head floated up to the top of the water when the stick was throw into the water.

Iron does not naturally float because of its molecular density, and this event was a miracle.  The ax head was recovered by faith.  And so it is with ministry; we recover our cutting edge by returning to the cross,and confessing by faith our loss.  "Lift it out,"  Elisha said.  Then the man reached out his hand and took it.  We reach out by faith to God when we lose our cutting edge.  God restores what we have lost when we go before Him and tell him what has happened to us.

God loves us.  Do you need to go before Him and tell Him that you have lost your cutting edge?  When you go to tell Him don't be surprised if you see me there too.  I go there often, and I have found that it is good to be in His presence all the time.

Beloved, don't work without a cutting edge and don't lose your cutting edge.
Blessings to you.

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