“The Axe Head Is Sunk"

There must be a test before there can be a testimony
A problem precedes praise.
A want or worry often precedes worship

II Kings 6:1-7
   The Sons of the Prophets that followed Elisha needed more space.  "Let’s go and build a cottage where there will be more room.  A Bible School."  Every one wanted to be near Elisha the prophet.  The sons of the prophets flocked to him.  They leaned in, craned their necks and stretched their hearing so as not to miss his instruction, counsel, and prayers.  Every one coveted to dwell with him and be near him.  "We need space."
   They did not ask for someone to send for great cedars or beautiful stones to build a great edifice.  "No, we will work.  We will each take a part in it.  We will all do our part to build a simple place where we can be together and there will be room for all of us.  If all of us work, there will be room for all of us."  They expected no help from the government since Joram and his mother, Jezebel, the wicked queen were in control of Israel.
   "Elisha, will you go with us?  We need your counsel, oversight, and guidance, and  direction.  We will do the work."  “I will go” replied their honored mentor.

   The young men worked diligently.  They were poor men who had set aside any focus on prospering in any trade or other ambition.  One young man had borrowed an axe.  With energy he swung the axe at the base of a tree.  On the back swing, the axe head flew off the handle and into the Jordan river.  The deep swift water immediately welcomed it, swallowed it, and buried it somewhere in its dark torrent.
   The young man ran to Elisha. . . “Alas my master!  It was borrowed.  If it was mine I could more easily handle the loss.  But it belonged to someone else.  I cannot repay my debt.  What shall I do?!!"  It was a time of despair for a Bible School student.  It was a hopeless time.
   "The axe head is sunk.  It was borrowed.  Forget about it.”

Other Bible scenarios.
– Eve had eaten of the fruit.  "It’s out of the garden for us.  We must leave our home.  Close the door.  Hope is gone.  We cannot go back.  Sin now separates us from God."

– A thousand years passed.  There is great sin in the world, and the only one left who is righteous is Noah and his wife and three sons and their wives.  A total of eight.  "We may as well close the doors on any hope for a future for the world.  Just one family, that's it!  Its just us.  There is no one else.  Zero fellowship.
What hope is there?"

– Abraham, a 'father of many nations' had no child.  Then he has a miracle child.  And now God wants him back.

–  "We thought Joseph was the answer", they all said.  "Now we are all prisoners.  Slave laborers.  We should have left sooner, while the leaving was good."

–  "The axe head has sunk.  It was borrowed."

–  "Haman is building gallows to hang righteous Mordecai.  What can we do"???

– "Lazarus is dead."  Jesus plainly said so.  By now he has decayed.  By now he smells.  “Jesus, they are three of your closest friends. .. Lazarus and Martha and Mary.   Now Lazarus is gone and Martha and Mary do not understand.  They sorrow.”

–  Peter had rejected the Lord and denied him.  It was over.

–  Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Ghost.  In the center aisle of church.  Right in service.
What havoc this will cause this newly established church now.   "We may as well close the doors.  Both of them died right in church.  The publicity will ruin everything."

–  There is controversy in the New Testament church between the Jews and Gentiles.  Give it up.

–  Paul is shipwrecked on an island.  (Malta) He was bitten by a snake.  He is sure to die with everyone watching.

–  John is alone and old.  He is on another island.  He is there for the Lord’s sake.  His brother died long ago and there is no one left of the ministerial brotherhood that had followed their Lord long ago.  It is so lonely.

     Why does it so often seem that whatever we do for the Lord’s sake hurts???
     Or it costs us friends and family and the conversation we used to have around a table of plenty.

A testimony follows a test.
Praise follows a prayer request.
Worship follows close on the heels of worry and want.

Let's go back to the beginning. . .
-- "Alas, my master, the axe head is lost.  It is in the water.  It is precious.  It was borrowed."
Testimony:   The prophet commanded it to swim.  2 Kings 6:6 - 7

-- Eve had eaten of the fruit.
Testimony:  But in the Garden of Eden, God himself provided a covering and a solution for sin, shame and separation.

-- A thousand years passed.  There is just one righteous family left.  That’s it.  What hope is there?
Testimony:  God Spoke to the righteous man, and gave him a plan.  For any who would believe and enter.

-- A 'father of many nations' had no child.  Now there is a miracle child.  And now God wants him back.
Testimony:  But God provided a ram to take the place.  Offer it in the place of your son Isaac.  I will keep my promise.

-- "We thought Joseph was the answer.  Now we are all prisoners.  Slave laborers.  We should have left sooner while the leaving was good."
Testimony:  God again provided a lamb.  When things got desperate.  He provided a “pass over”.

-- "Haman is building gallows to hang righteous Mordecai.  What can we do?"
Testimony:  God tweaked the story a little and allowed the roles to be changed.  ( He can do that.)  Haman hung on the gallows he build for Mordecai.  The entire nation was spared.

-- "Lazarus is dead."  Jesus said so.  By now he has decayed.  By now he smells.
Testimony:  Beyond the end of the end was the beginning.  "Loose him and let him go."  Lazarus was reunited with his grieving sisters and the sorrow ceased.

-- Peter had rejected the Lord and denied him.  It was over.
Testimony:  The angel said. . . “go tell the apostles and Peter that Jesus goes before you into Galilee: there you will see him, as he said unto you.”   And later Jesus asked. . . “Peter, do you love me?  Feed my sheep.”

-- Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy ghost.  "What havoc this would wreck upon the church.  We may as well close the doors."
Testimony:  But fear fell on the church and the church grew.  Power and authority made itself known and the church grew in a new dimension.

-- There is controversy in the New Testament church between the Jews and the Gentiles.  "We may as well give it up.  This will never work."
Testimony: Men were anointed with answers then, that are the lifeline today.  Answers to each realm. . . both Jews and Gentiles.  Apostles wrote specifically to them in words that are golden words of counsel and understanding for us.  The churches grew in each direction.

-- Paul is shipwrecked on an island.  Bitten by a snake.
Testimony:  He shook it off into the fire and natives waited for him to die.  He did not die.  Jesus was glorified in his ministry because of the notable miracle.

-- John.  Alone and old.  On another island.  For the Lord’s sake.  His brother died long ago.  "Such a failure" so many would say.
Testimony:  But revelation came that specifically describes what we are looking at today when we read the news.  We know what to expect because of that lonely man who dared to worship in the spirit on the Lord’s day.  He called it “the testimony of Jesus Christ”.  (Rev. 1:2)

So, what is your issue today?  What is your problem?  The axe head is sunk.  Irretrievable.  It was borrowed.  Is it possible that He wants you to have a testimony also?
Did He ever promise that you would never have a difficult moment, or day, or week, or a grievous period of heartache or conflict?

It is impossible to have a notable miracle without a problem in which to birth it.  It is impossible to have a dynamic testimony of the greatness of God without a tough time first.

Bow your knee one more time.  Express your determination to be faithful to him.  Then stand with lifted hands and confident worship.  I will bless the Lord at all times.  His praise shall continually be in my mouth.  Bless Him before the reply.  Keep pressing.  Keep praying.  Stay faithful.