2 Kings 6:5

"But as one was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head fell into the water; and he cried out and said, "Alas, master! For it was borrowed" 2 Kings 6:5

Sometimes we do really stupid things. Like this fellow in Elisha's day. He borrowed an ax to do some community work. He failed to check the quality of the workmanship or the worthiness of the ax. I suspect that the head was loose to start with. Actually, the fact that the ax head fell into the water was a blessing. It could have flown off the handle and landed in another person's head! But loose the ax head he did. Evidently the water was deep or cold or very muddy for he could have just dove into the depths and found the missing bit of iron. Instead he cries out to Elisha.

So what is the prophet to do? Is he expected to dive for it? Perhaps he can buy a new one. Or it just might be that he could pray and God would grow a new ax head on that old handle. I really don't know what he expected, except that he expected Elisha to do something.

Apparently without thinking too much about it, Elisha pulls a branch from a small tree, tosses it into the river and - guess what? - the iron ax head floats! Unbelievable! The only person who got wet is the fellow who reached into the water to pluck the floating ax from the river. Amazing.

God, through Elisha took care of a man who borrowed an ax, failed to check its worthiness for use, and lost it.

I have done some dumb things in my life, said something stupid, did something wrong out of ignorance. Some of them were even a bit dangerous. But God always provided His protection - even though I didn't deserve it.

Perhaps you have done some really dumb things in your life. May I suggest that you not get down on yourself. I rather suspect that you can see God's protection throughout your "dumb period" of life. Not that you always escaped danger, but He was always there to keep it from getting out of hand. He may have even used these situations to draw you closer to Himself. Continue relying on Him. Keep on learning from your mistakes. You never know when a modern day Elisha will toss a stick in the waters of your life and save your hide! Hallelujah, Amen and Amen.