“….Thus says the Lord:  Make this valley full of ditches….Now it happened in the morning when the grain offering was offered, that suddenly water came by way of Edom, and the land was filled with water.”  -2 Kings 3:16,20  (NKJV)

Over the years, I have learned that no matter the situation, God is always faithful!  He doesn’t always do things the way we think he should or in the time frame that we lay out for Him; but make no mistake HE’S ALWAYS FAITHFUL!

As I look back over our lives, I can see so many times when God “showed up and showed off”.  In every situation, there is a common thread:  WE HAD TO DO OUR PART!  Whether “our part” was simply learning to serve with a humble spirit, learning to have better responsibility with our finances, or stepping out in faith to accomplish things that we could not accomplish in our own strength, we still had to do those things which God required of us. 

Once we did, God did!

Backing up a few verses in this passage of Scripture, vs. 15-18 say this:  “But now bring me a musician.  Then it happened when the musician played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him.  And he said, “Thus says the lord:  Make this valley full of ditches”.  For thus says the Lord:  “You shall not see wind, nor shall you see rain yet that valley shall be filled with water so that you, your cattle and your animals may drink.  And this is a simple matter in the sight of the Lord…..” (emphasis added)

Now look and understand the awesomeness of this passage.  First, the musician came to play.  In other words, PRAISE was offered up to the Lord.  Then, the Lord came.  Second,  the ditches had to be dug.  The verse actually says, “MAKE“.  The Lord didn’t say to the people, “sit on the sidelines and watch me do all the work!  He said for them to “put their hand to the plow” and “dig ditches”. 

Why would God want them to dig the ditches?  He could have simply sent the water and caused everything to be perfect.  The Word says that “faith without works is dead”.   God always sets requirement in place. 

Likewise, He says to you and me: 

 YOU DO YOUR PART, THEN I’LL DO MINE!  (my paraphrasing). 

Once the ditches had been dug, God reminded the people that this was a SIMPLE MATTER for Him.  He wasn’t surprised by their need nor was He sitting in Heaven wrenching His hands wondering what He was going to do.  For Him, it was a simple thing!

Finally, when the people had stepped out in faith, done their part, and offered up to God a sacrificial offering, He was  faithful and kept His Word!

Friends, let me encourage you today:  Don’t be afraid to “dig the ditches”.  If God has told you to do something but you haven’t done it, repent now.  Then, step out in faith, dig your ditches, and watch in awe as God fills them with water!