In 2 Kings we read about the kings of Israel, Judah and Edom setting out for battle against the Moabites. They thought 3 against 1 and done! However after a week of wandering in the desert they were out of water and victory was nowhere in sight. Though none of the kings was following God (Jehovah) then did recognize that they had been brought to this point by His hand and sought help from the prophet Elisha to obtain a word from the Lord. They needed water, they needed God’s help! God’s response was that they should dig ditches in the desert. This seemed an absurd request, but God was asking for them to show their faith by their actions—dig ditches. When they did as God commanded, the ditches were filled with water. There was water everywhere, enough for all their troops and animals. God also granted them victory over the Moabites. God would not have moved in this situation if the kings had not responded with action.

Scriptures – 2 Chronicles 16:9; Luke 18:8; 2 Kings 3:9-18, 20; James 2:26; Zechariah 4:10

Verses – For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him. (2 Ch 16:9) “But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”(Lk 18:8) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. (He 11:6) “Thus says the Lord: ‘Make this valley full of ditches.’ For thus says the Lord: ‘You shall not see wind, nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you, your cattle, and your animals may drink.’” (2 Ki 3:16-17) Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works. (Js 2:26)

Thought – Faith without works is dead. We often wait on God when He is waiting on us to make a move and display our faith by our actions. The New Testament is filled with encounters in which faith accompanied by action was the key to healing. The man with the withered hand needed only to stretch it out at Jesus’ request, and he was healed. Jesus healed a man who was unable to walk and told him to pick up his mat and go home, but first he had to get up. The blind man was told to go to the pool of Siloam and wash off the mud Jesus had placed on his eyes, and when he did, he could see. The woman with the issue of blood had faith that simply touching the hem of Jesus’ robe would heal her, and when she reached out, she was healed. Peter is the only disciple who got out of the boat and attempted to walk on water. The others didn’t try. Maybe God is saying, “Show me your faith, and I will show you my faithfulness.” God is able to do more than we can ask, think or imagine. Real faith believes big but is willing to start small. Many Christians don’t think big enough, but at the same time they’re not willing to start small. You must start with what is in front of you, with what God has entrusted to you. How do you dig a ditch? One shovel of dirt at a time! What are you believing God for that hasn’t happened? Is there a ditch you need to start digging?

Questions – When have you moved in faith and God has stepped in? What are you believing God for that hasn’t happened? What can you do, if anything? What are some faith mistakes Christians often make? Is your faith big or is your faith small? Explain.

Response – Decide if you need to start digging in some area where your actions need to align with your faith.

Prayer – Dear Lord, your word says that faith can move a mountain. Help me continue taking steps toward the mountain I am trusting you to move. May I not waiver in believing that you will do more than I can expect or imagine. Thank you for your faithfulness. In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.