God's Compassion in Our Everyday Struggles
Summary
Today, we gathered to bless and pray for our teachers and students as they begin a new academic year, asking God to grant them wisdom, protection, and growth in every aspect of their lives. We then turned to a peculiar story from 2 Kings: the miracle of Elisha making a borrowed iron axe head float after it fell into the Jordan River. At first glance, this miracle seems trivial compared to Elisha’s other mighty acts—no city was saved, no army delivered, no life restored. Yet, in this small, almost mundane crisis, we see the sweetness and compassion of God, who cares deeply for the ordinary struggles of His people.
The context of the story is one of growth and hope: the school of prophets is expanding, a sign of spiritual renewal in Israel. Yet, in the midst of this celebration, disaster strikes—a young prophet loses a borrowed axe head, a costly and rare tool in those days. His distress is real, and his crisis, though small in the grand scheme, is significant to him. This reminds us that bad things can happen even when we are doing good, and that misfortune is not always a sign of God’s displeasure. In fact, such moments often accompany seasons of faithful obedience, as spiritual opposition and the unpredictability of life intersect.
Elisha’s response is not one of rebuke but of compassion. He asks where the axe head fell, acts with kindness, and God works a miracle in the midst of the mundane. This reveals a profound truth: God is not only the Lord of the spectacular but also the God of the everyday, the ordinary, and the overlooked. Our lives, filled with routine and small challenges, are not beneath His notice. The miracle of the floating axe head, sandwiched between grander stories, highlights that God’s love and power are just as present in our daily struggles as in history’s great moments.
Early Christians saw in this story a foreshadowing of Christ’s redemption: the stick Elisha throws into the water symbolizes the cross, and the lost axe head represents humanity, precious yet lost, raised up by God’s grace. Ultimately, every place and moment can become sacred when we recognize Christ’s presence in it. We are called to dedicate every routine and crisis, no matter how small, as an opportunity to encounter God’s kindness and transforming power.
Key Takeaways
- God Cares Deeply for Our Small Crises
God’s compassion is not reserved for grand emergencies or public miracles. Even the seemingly insignificant troubles—a lost tool, a minor setback—matter to Him. This story invites us to bring every concern, no matter how small, to God, trusting that His love is attentive and personal. [05:28]
- Misfortune Is Not a Sign of God’s Displeasure
Bad things can and do happen to good people, even when they are faithfully serving God. Rather than interpreting every hardship as divine punishment, we are reminded that adversity often accompanies obedience, and sometimes even signals that we are on the right path. [13:22]
- The Mundane Is Sacred When God Is Present
God is not only found in the extraordinary but is deeply involved in the ordinary routines of life. Cooking, working, caring for family—these are all arenas where God’s presence can be experienced and His glory revealed. Our daily lives are not unsacred; they become holy when we acknowledge Christ in them. [19:36]
- Kindness Is the Language of God
Elisha’s gentle response to the young prophet’s mistake models the divine kindness we are called to embody. Speaking and acting with compassion, especially in moments of frustration or failure, is a way of participating in God’s own character and making His love tangible to others. [17:58]
- Redemption Transforms the Ordinary
Early Christians saw in the floating axe head a symbol of Christ’s redemptive work—raising what was lost and making it sacred. Our own stories, marked by loss and recovery, become testimonies of God’s power to redeem the ordinary and mundane, turning every moment into an opportunity for grace. [30:14]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[03:07] - Blessing Teachers and Students
[04:18] - Reading the Elisha Miracle
[05:28] - The Strangeness of Small Miracles
[07:18] - Seminary Growth and Decline
[11:08] - The Value of the Lost Axe Head
[12:26] - When Crisis Interrupts Celebration
[13:22] - Bad Things Happen to Good People
[14:47] - Spiritual Opposition and Obedience
[16:17] - Elisha’s Compassionate Response
[17:58] - The Beauty of Kindness
[18:57] - God of the Mundane
[19:36] - Sacredness in Everyday Life
[21:57] - The Sandwich of the Ordinary
[23:04] - Our True Value in God’s Eyes
[28:56] - Early Christian Interpretation
[30:14] - Christ in the Story
[31:31] - Wendell Berry and Sacred Places
[37:25] - Praying for Sacredness in Routine
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: God in the Ordinary – The Floating Axe Head
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### Bible Reading
2 Kings 6:1-7 (ESV)
1 Now the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “See, the place where we dwell under your charge is too small for us.
2 Let us go to the Jordan, and each of us get there a log, and let us make a place for us to dwell there.” And he answered, “Go.”
3 Then one of them said, “Be pleased to go with your servants.” And he answered, “I will go.”
4 So he went with them. And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees.
5 But as one was felling a log, his axe head fell into the water, and he cried out, “Alas, my master! It was borrowed.”
6 Then the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there and made the iron float.
7 And he said, “Take it up.” So he reached out his hand and took it.
John 3:16 (ESV)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
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### Observation Questions
1. What was happening in the community of prophets at the beginning of the story, and why did they want to build a new place? ([05:28])
2. Why was the loss of the axe head such a big deal for the young prophet? ([12:26])
3. How did Elisha respond to the young man’s crisis, and what did he do to help? ([16:17])
4. According to the sermon, what does the placement of this miracle between two bigger stories in 2 Kings suggest about God’s character? ([21:57])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the story of the floating axe head reveal about how God views our everyday problems and “small” crises? ([05:28])
2. The sermon says that misfortune is not always a sign of God’s displeasure. How does this story challenge the idea that bad things only happen to people who have done something wrong? ([13:22])
3. Elisha’s response to the young prophet was one of kindness and compassion. What does this teach us about how God wants us to treat others when they make mistakes or face trouble? ([17:58])
4. Early Christians saw the stick Elisha threw into the water as a symbol of the cross, and the lost axe head as a symbol of humanity. How does this interpretation help us see Christ’s redemption in ordinary moments? ([30:14])
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### Application Questions
1. Think about a recent “small” problem or setback you faced (like a lost item, a broken appliance, or a minor accident). Did you bring it to God in prayer, or did you feel it was too insignificant? How might this story encourage you to pray about everything, big or small? ([05:28])
2. Have you ever experienced a difficult or disappointing event while you were trying to do something good or serve God? How did you interpret that experience at the time? Has your perspective changed after hearing this sermon? ([13:22])
3. The sermon says that God is present in the mundane routines of life—cooking, working, caring for family. What is one ordinary part of your daily routine where you want to become more aware of God’s presence? ([19:36])
4. Elisha responded with kindness instead of criticism when the young prophet made a mistake. Is there someone in your life right now who needs your kindness instead of your frustration? What is one practical way you can show them compassion this week? ([17:58])
5. The story suggests that every place and moment can become sacred when we recognize Christ’s presence. Is there a part of your life or a place (work, home, school) that you usually see as “unsacred” or unimportant? How can you dedicate it to God this week? ([31:31])
6. The early Christians saw the floating axe head as a picture of Christ raising up what was lost. Is there an area in your life where you feel “lost” or in need of recovery? How can you invite God’s redeeming power into that situation? ([30:14])
7. The sermon mentioned that kindness is the language of God. What is one specific way you can practice speaking this “language” in your relationships this week, especially when you are frustrated or disappointed? ([17:58])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Pray together, asking God to help each person see His presence in the ordinary moments of life, to bring every concern to Him, and to show kindness and compassion to others as He has shown to us.
Devotional
Day 1: God Cares About Our Small Crises
Even when our problems seem trivial or insignificant to others, God hears our cries and responds with compassion and power. The story of the floating axe head shows that God is not only present in grand miracles but also in the small, personal challenges we face. He delights in showing His love in the details of our lives, reminding us that nothing is too minor for His attention. When we bring our worries, even the little ones, to God, we discover His sweetness and care in ways that deepen our trust in Him. [05:28]
2 Kings 6:1-7 (ESV)
Now the sons of the prophets said to Elisha, “See, the place where we dwell under your charge is too small for us. Let us go to the Jordan, and each of us get there a log, and let us make a place for us to dwell there.” And he answered, “Go.” Then one of them said, “Be pleased to go with your servants.” And he answered, “I will go.” So he went with them. And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. But as one was felling a log, his axe head fell into the water, and he cried out, “Alas, my master! It was borrowed.” Then the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, he cut off a stick and threw it in there and made the iron float. And he said, “Take it up.” So he reached out his hand and took it.
Reflection: What is one small worry or inconvenience you’ve been carrying alone? Can you bring it honestly to God today, trusting that He cares about even the little things in your life?
Day 2: Bad Things Happen to Good People
Obeying God and doing good does not exempt us from unexpected troubles or setbacks. Sometimes, difficulties arise precisely when we are faithfully serving or pursuing something important, and these moments are not signs of God’s displeasure or punishment. Instead, they remind us that adversity is a part of life, and God’s presence is with us in both the good and the bad. Rather than judging ourselves or others harshly when things go wrong, we can rest in the assurance that God’s love is constant, and He often works through our challenges to grow our faith. [13:22]
Romans 8:28 (ESV)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
Reflection: Think of a recent setback or disappointment you’ve experienced while trying to do something good—how might God be inviting you to see His presence or purpose in that situation?
Day 3: God of the Mundane
God is not only the Lord of spectacular miracles but also the God who is present in the ordinary routines and daily details of our lives. The miracle of the floating axe head, sandwiched between grander stories, highlights that God values our everyday experiences and meets us in the midst of our regular work, chores, and responsibilities. Every moment, no matter how routine, can become sacred when we recognize God’s presence and invite Him into it. This truth is good news for those who feel unnoticed or unremarkable—God delights in the faithfulness of ordinary people. [19:36]
Colossians 3:23-24 (ESV)
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
Reflection: What is one ordinary task or routine in your day that you usually overlook? How can you intentionally invite God into that moment and see it as sacred today?
Day 4: You Are Precious to God
In a world obsessed with the extraordinary, God’s love gives each of us true significance. The sermon reminds us that, according to John 3:16, we are so valued by God that He gave His only Son for us. Our worth is not measured by worldly standards or achievements but by the fact that God calls us His own and redeems us through Christ. Even if our lives seem unspectacular, we are the “GOAT” (greatest of all time) in God’s eyes because of His grace and love. [23:45]
John 3:16 (ESV)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Reflection: In what ways have you compared yourself to others or felt “less than” because your life seems ordinary? How does knowing you are deeply loved and valued by God change your perspective today?
Day 5: Every Place Can Be Sacred
There are no unsacred places—every part of our lives can become holy ground when we acknowledge Christ’s presence and purpose there. Whether in moments of crisis or in the routines of daily living, God invites us to dedicate all areas of our lives to Him. When we do, even the most mundane places and tasks are transformed into sacred spaces where God’s love and grace are experienced and shared. Let us recover and rededicate every routine of our lives as places where God dwells and works. [37:25]
Exodus 3:5 (ESV)
Then he said, “Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground.”
Reflection: What is one area of your life—perhaps a routine, a relationship, or a place—that you have not considered sacred? How can you invite Christ’s presence into that space and dedicate it to Him today?
Quotes
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