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"Dear Mama"- Dr. Chad E. Rankin

by House of Hope Church, Texas
on May 12, 2025

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"Dear Mama"- Dr. Chad E. Rankin

Devotional

Day 1: God Provides in Our Times of Need

When we face the crucibles of life—death, debt, and discouragement—God is able to meet us right where we are, even when we feel we have nothing left to give. Like the widow in 2 Kings 4, who had only a little oil, God can take our little and multiply it beyond what we could imagine, providing for us in ways that defy our understanding. No matter how heavy our burdens or how empty our cupboards, God’s grace is sufficient, and His provision is always on time. Trust that He sees your struggles and is able to turn your lack into abundance when you surrender it to Him. [38:43]

2 Kings 4:1-7 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
One of the wives of the sons of the prophets cried out to Elisha, “Your servant, my husband, has died. You know that your servant feared the Lord. Now the creditor is coming to take my two children as his slaves.”
Elisha asked her, “What can I do for you? Tell me, what do you have in the house?”
She said, “Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.”
Then he said, “Go and borrow empty containers from everyone—from all your neighbors. Do not get just a few. Then go in and shut the door behind you and your sons and pour oil into all these containers. Set the full ones to the side.”
So she left. After she had shut the door behind her and her sons, they kept bringing her containers, and she kept pouring. When they were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another container.” But he replied, “There aren’t any more.” Then the oil stopped.
She went and told the man of God, and he said, “Go sell the oil and pay your debt; you and your sons can live on the rest.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel you have “nothing left”? Can you offer that to God today and trust Him to provide in ways you cannot see?

Day 2: Faith Means Obedience Even When It Doesn’t Make Sense

Sometimes God’s instructions defy logic, but true faith is shown when we obey anyway. The widow’s willingness to gather empty containers, even when she had only a little oil, was an act of radical trust. Her obedience opened the door for God’s miracle. When you step out in faith, even if it seems foolish to others or to yourself, you make room for God to work wonders in your life. Don’t let what you see limit what God can do—He honors faith that acts. [55:29]

Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.

Reflection: What is one step of obedience God is asking you to take today, even if it doesn’t make sense? Will you trust Him enough to act?

Day 3: God’s Miracles Are Sometimes Just for You

Not every blessing or miracle is meant for public display. Some of God’s greatest works in your life happen behind closed doors, just between you and Him. The widow shut the door with her sons and experienced God’s provision in private, teaching us that we don’t need the validation or approval of others to know God is at work. Let your faith be personal and rooted in your relationship with God, not in the applause or recognition of people. [58:43]

Matthew 6:6 (ESV)
But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

Reflection: Is there a private area of your life where you need to trust God for a miracle? How can you focus on your personal relationship with Him rather than seeking others’ approval?

Day 4: God’s Provision Is Abundant and Overflowing

When we trust God and follow His leading, He not only meets our needs but often provides more than enough. The widow’s oil didn’t just pay her debts; it gave her and her sons enough to live on. God’s generosity exceeds our expectations, and He delights in blessing His children abundantly. Remember, God is not limited by your resources—He is the God who owns the cattle on a thousand hills and can supply all your needs according to His riches in glory. [01:05:31]

Philippians 4:19 (ESV)
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: Where have you seen God’s abundance in your life, even when you expected just enough? How can you express gratitude for His overflowing provision today?

Day 5: Surrender to God’s Guidance and Worship Through Life’s Storms

Life will bring troubled waters, but when you surrender to God—lifting your hands in worship and letting the Holy Spirit guide you—He will carry you through. Just as a sailboat is moved by the wind when the sails are raised, your life is directed by God when you yield to Him. Remember what you learned from those who came before you: pray, worship, and trust Jesus, for He is real and faithful yesterday, today, and forever. [01:08:58]

Psalm 121:1-2 (ESV)
I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.

Reflection: What is one way you can “raise your sails” and surrender to God’s guidance today, especially in an area where you feel out of control?

Sermon Summary

Today, we pause to honor and reflect on the profound impact of mothers in our lives, recognizing that their love, sacrifice, and faith have shaped us in ways we often only understand in hindsight. God, in His holiness and majesty, has given us the gift of memory, allowing us to recall the moments, both joyful and painful, that our mothers have walked with us through. Whether our mothers are still with us or have gone on to glory, their influence lingers in the lessons they taught, the prayers they prayed, and the faith they modeled.

Drawing from the story in 2 Kings 4, we see a mother who faced the crushing weight of death, debt, and discouragement. Her world was turned upside down by the loss of her husband, and she was left to navigate not only her grief but also the threat of losing her children to creditors. Yet, in her desperation, she did not let pride keep her from seeking help. She went to the prophet Elisha, honestly confessing her lack, and was instructed to gather empty vessels. Though it made little sense, she obeyed in faith, and God multiplied her little into abundance behind closed doors.

This narrative is a mirror for many of our own stories. Our mothers have often held families together through seasons of lack, uncertainty, and pain, relying on God when resources and strength ran out. Their faith was not always loud or public, but it was persistent and personal, teaching us that God can do the miraculous with whatever little we place in His hands. The blessings that come from such faith are not always for public display; sometimes, God works in the quiet, private spaces of our lives, reminding us that His provision is intimate and sufficient.

We are reminded that the greatest legacy our mothers leave is not material, but spiritual—a legacy of faith, resilience, and trust in God. Just as the widow’s obedience led to provision beyond her immediate need, so too does our faith, modeled after those who have gone before us, open the door for God’s abundance. Ultimately, the story points us to Jesus Christ, the ultimate provider and Savior, who meets our deepest needs and invites us to trust Him as our mothers have.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Provision Often Begins with Honest Lack True faith is not about having it all together, but about bringing our emptiness and insufficiency to God. The widow’s miracle began when she admitted she had nothing but a little oil. In our own lives, God often waits for us to acknowledge our need before He multiplies what little we have, teaching us humility and dependence on Him. [50:36]
2. Faith Sometimes Requires Obedience That Defies Logic The instruction to gather empty containers when there was barely any oil seemed irrational, yet obedience in faith opened the door to God’s abundance. Our journey with God will often include moments where His directions do not make sense to our natural minds, but it is in these moments that our trust is most deeply formed and rewarded. [54:49]
3. Miracles Are Often Meant for the Private Places The oil multiplied behind closed doors, not in the public square. God’s most profound works in our lives are sometimes reserved for the intimate spaces, teaching us that validation from others is not necessary for a genuine encounter with Him. Personal faith is about full assurance in trusting Him, regardless of who sees or understands. [58:43]
4. The Legacy of Faith Is Greater Than Material Provision While God provided for the widow’s immediate financial needs, the greater gift was the example of faith she set for her children. Our mothers’ greatest legacy is not what they gave us materially, but the spiritual foundation they laid—teaching us to trust God, to pray, to worship, and to persevere through hardship. [69:46]
5. God’s Sufficiency Exceeds Our Greatest Needs God did not just pay off the widow’s debts; He provided enough for her family to live on. In Christ, God meets not only our immediate needs but offers us abundance and forgiveness, showing that His provision is always more than enough. Our greatest need was not money, information, or pleasure, but a Savior—and God has given us Jesus, who is able to do exceedingly above all we ask or think. [65:31]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[33:33] - Approaching God’s Throne of Grace
[34:40] - The True Source of Our Value
[35:52] - Honoring Mothers in Grief and Gratitude
[37:12] - Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 4
[39:04] - Introduction: Dear Mama
[40:16] - The Gift of Memories
[41:42] - Music and Memories of Motherhood
[43:24] - The Many Roles of a Mother
[45:31] - A Son’s Perspective: Lessons from 2 Kings 4
[46:32] - Holding It Down Through Death, Debt, and Discouragement
[49:40] - Seeking Spiritual Solutions
[51:13] - The Power of Sacrifice and Humility
[54:07] - The Example of Faith in Action
[58:43] - Miracles Behind Closed Doors
[61:46] - Faith, Approval, and God’s Glory
[64:14] - Doing Whatever It Takes
[65:31] - God’s Abundant Provision
[66:53] - Jesus: The Ultimate Provider
[68:43] - Surrendering to the Wind of the Spirit
[69:46] - The Spiritual Legacy of Mothers
[70:40] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

2 Kings 4:1-7 — (The story of the widow, her sons, and the miracle of the oil)

Observation Questions

In 2 Kings 4:1-7, what specific challenges did the widow face after her husband died?
According to the sermon, what did the widow have left in her house, and how did she respond when Elisha asked her about it? [[50:36]]
What instructions did Elisha give the widow, and how did her actions demonstrate faith? [[54:49]]
Where did the miracle of the multiplying oil take place, and why is that detail important in the story? [[58:43]]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God chose to perform the miracle “behind closed doors” instead of in public? What does this say about how God works in our lives? [[58:43]]
The widow’s obedience didn’t make sense from a logical perspective. What does this teach us about the nature of faith and following God’s instructions? [[54:49]]
The sermon says the greatest legacy our mothers leave is spiritual, not material. Why is a legacy of faith more valuable than material provision? [[01:09:46]]
The widow’s story ends with God providing more than enough for her family. What does this reveal about God’s character and how He meets our needs? [[01:05:31]]

Application Questions

The widow was honest about her lack and brought her need to God. Is there an area in your life where you need to admit your need or emptiness to God instead of trying to handle it alone? What’s holding you back? [[50:36]]
Has there been a time when you felt God was asking you to do something that didn’t make sense? How did you respond, and what was the outcome? [[54:49]]
The miracle happened in private, not for public display. Are you seeking validation from others for your faith, or are you content with God’s approval alone? How can you shift your focus if needed? [[58:43]]
Think about the spiritual lessons or habits you learned from your mother or another spiritual mentor. How have those shaped your faith today? Is there a specific lesson you want to pass on to others? [[01:09:46]]
The sermon talked about God’s provision being more than enough—not just meeting needs, but giving abundance. Where in your life do you need to trust God for more than just the bare minimum? [[01:05:31]]
The widow’s children witnessed her faith in action. What are your children, family, or friends seeing in your life right now? What kind of spiritual legacy are you building? [[01:09:46]]
The pastor shared that our greatest need is not money or information, but a Savior. How does this truth change the way you pray or what you ask God for? [[01:06:53]]