A Cruse, a Pot, and a Box

2 Kings 9:1

And Elisha the prophet called one of the children of the prophets, and said unto him, Gird up thy loins, and take this box of oil in thine hand, and go to Ramothgilead:

There are three similar stories in the lives of Elijah and Elisha that should encourage every believer that God can use them. The first story is when Elijah goes to this widow lady and asks her what she had in her house. She said that the only thing she had was a cake, a handful of meal, and a cruse of oil, but it was that cruse of oil that made the difference in her life.

The second story is about a lady who came to Elisha whose husband had died, and the creditors were coming to take her sons to pay for the debt. She cried to the preacher, and he asked her what she had in her house. She said that all she had was a pot of oil. However, it was that pot of oil that helped her get out of the critical situation she faced.

The third story is when Elisha was about to anoint Jehu king of Israel. He called one of the young prophets and told him to take a box of oil and anoint Jehu king of Israel. Jehu would be the king that God would use to destroy the evil house of Ahab.

In these three stories, you have a cruse, a pot, and a box, but they all had oil in them. Each of these vessels of themselves was incapable of meeting the need at hand, but each of these vessels had inside them the power to meet the need of the hour. These vessels were different in shape and purpose, but they had the power inside them that could change the status quo of the hour.

That oil is a representation of the power of the Holy Spirit. God is not as interested in the difference of the vessel, but He is interested in the vessel yielding to the power of His Holy Spirit to meet the need of the hour. It is not about the vessel; it is about the power of the Holy Spirit in the vessel that can meet the need of the hour.

We often put too much emphasis on the vessel, and certainly we ought to conform the vessel into the image of God, but the vessel can do nothing without the power of the Holy Ghost. I have seen preachers of all different personalities and preaching styles, but the one common thread they all had who were used mightily by God is they had God’s power on their lives. I have seen men who were great organizers be used by God, but it was not their organization that met the need of the hour; it was God’s power on their lives that made the difference. Don't get me wrong; we ought to be organized, but organization without God’s power is a waste of time and energy. It takes God’s power to make a difference and to meet the need of the hour.

Personality, or a lack thereof, will not meet the need of the hour. Dynamics is wonderful in preaching, but dynamics without God’s power is just noise that will not meet the need of the hour. Whether a preacher preaches a topical or expositional sermon is not as important as preaching with God's power. The preaching style has never changed one life, but the power of God has.

My friend, you may be a cruse, a pot, or a box, but it is the power of the Holy Ghost empowering you that takes your vessel to meet the need of the hour. While trying to change the vessel, you would do yourself and others greater good by being empowered by the Holy Spirit who lives inside you.