1117. Alas! It Was Borrowed

Alas! It Was Borrowed

"And he cried, and said, Alas, master! for it was borrowed" (2Ki_6:5, l. c.).

What a cry went up from the young man as he saw the axe head flying from him and falling into the water. Immediately he turned to Elisha and said, "Alas, master! for it was borrowed."

1. The young man immediately turned to Elisha. It was good that Elisha was along. So it is with us. How could we ever get over the rough places; how could we ever meet the difficulties along the way if we walked alone? There are valleys too deep, there are mountains too high, there are fires too hot, there are burdens too heavy for us. We need Christ at our side.

No wonder that Moses cried out beneath his tremendous burden, as he led the multitude of Israel through the wilderness! He said, "I can not bear them alone."

There are many examples in the Word, of saints, who, in a tight place, asked Christ to come to their rescue.

Moses was greatly troubled. More than a million souls looking to his leadership. Often the whole of Israel seemed filled with misgivings and doubts. They tempted God, and turned back; they murmured; they became idolatrous; they committed fornication; they wandered in the wilderness, overthrown because of their lustings. Poor Moses! He cried out; "I cannot bear them alone." Then God came to his help and strengthened him.

David faced many a trying circumstance. Yet he always found One at his side, a present help in trouble. He cried: "Thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head."

Daniel paid for his fidelity to God by being cast into the lions' den. But God went with him. The angel of the Lord was there to shut the mouths of the lions and to deliver him.

Nehemiah had many trying experiences in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, but he found that his God was always a God at hand, ready to help and to deliver. He was urged to flee for his life, but he said: "Shall such a man as I flee?" Then God delivered him and the people perceived that his "work was wrought of God."

Peter was imprisoned. The Church sought the Lord and deliverance came. God sent His angel and opened the prison doors and led Peter forth to victory.

When the time of trial comes; when the axe head flies off into the water, it is a good thing to have the Master along.

2. The young man cried, "Alas, master! for it was borrowed." Of course it was borrowed. Everything we have is borrowed. We hold nothing that is really our own. Even our very bodies belong to Christ.

"What! know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (1Co_6:19-20).

What have we that was not given unto us? Of His own have we received. Let us seek then to guard that which He has given us, and to use it daily for His glory.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR