In 2 Kings we’re told of a time when the young prophets Elisha was teaching desired to build a bigger house because they were expanding in number. They asked Elisha to accompany them to Jordan to cut down timber to build with, and in the process an incident took place that holds something for us.

2 Kings 6:4-5a So he went with them. And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. 5a But as one was felling a log, his axe head fell into the water… ESV

While working one of the young prophets lost the head of his axe into the river. That’s so much like us sometimes. While we’re doing the work of the ministry we get dull and the cutting edge of our ministry, our power and our effectiveness, gets dull. And that cutting edge is the Holy Spirit.

The only way we can build anything, especially in ministry, is with the power of the Holy Spirit. The Psalmist said that those who build apart from the labor of the Lord labor in vain (Ps 127:1). We find that so true in our life every day don’t we? We can be putting forth our best effort with the best of intentions but if our “axe” is dull we continue to labor in vain. And so often when we find ourselves in that predicament we forget the words of Zechariah: It’s not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit saith the Lord (4:6).

So’ when the axe head flew into the water the real concern for the young prophet came to light.

2 Kings 6:5b and he cried out, “Alas, my master! It was borrowed.” ESV

How did he lose it? He lost it in the process of service; he was trying to do the right thing but he became careless. He wasn’t watching what he was doing. Remember, an axe head doesn’t just come off all at once, it slowly loosens over time if you aren’t watching. And his concern was that his “cutting edge” didn’t belong to him, it was only borrowed. That’s something we need to remember; the power in our life isn’t our own. If we begin to believe that our ministry is our own we are certain to find our axe becoming dull in short order. And if we continue, one day we’ll wake up like this prophet and find our axe head missing, or like Sampson discovering his long locks were gone. At that moment the reality will come home in a startling manner… its gone!

So there he stood with nothing in his hand but a wooden axe handle. Sound familiar? In the Bible wood is always a picture of the “flesh” (1 Cor 3:12). There he was, doing the work of the ministry and all of a sudden all his power was gone. But that’s when he did the right thing. He didn’t keep pounding the tree with a wooden handle, he immediately became concerned that the key to his success was missing. But how often do we just continue on ministering when the anointing is gone? We need to follow his example the moment that happens: alas, my master!

He cried out to his master and that’s always the first step we need to take when our cutting edge gets dull. Being open and honest with our Master is always the place where restoration takes place. And look at what Elisha said:

2 Kings 6:6a Then the man of God said, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place…

It reminds us of the answer that Jesus gave to the Church at Ephesus for the same reason… remember from whence you are fallen and repent. And do your first works again (Rev 2:1-5).  When we find ourselves in that dry place with an axe that won’t cut we need to do just that. We need to remember where we lost the power, repent and return to that very spot and begin doing what we were doing then. And when we do we’ll find out why Elisha did what he did.

2 Kings 6:6b-7 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. ESV

That’s the key. Elisha threw a stick into the river and immediately the axe head rose to the surface. When we find our axe head missing that’s what we need to do… immediately throw our “flesh” into the very place we lost our power and our cutting edge will come back. Then we’ll hear the voice of the Spirit say to us as well… Take it up. That’s always the way it works with God. He will bring the truth to the surface and command us to take it up and get back to work with a sharp axe. But notice that it takes a commitment on our part… take it up. 

So how do we keep our axe sharp? Paul tells us the key is not to grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:30) and not to quench the Holy Spirit (1 Thess 5:19),  because of the Words of God in the very beginning… My Spirit shall not strive with man forever (Gen 6:13). If we don’t we’re sure to find our edge getting dull and our power slipping away just like that axe head; slowly but surely over time. The bottom line is that we need to keep an eye on our axe while we’re working and make sure that we never let it get dull.

If you’re struggling at the moment it may be time for you to pause and see why You’ve Lost Your Edge.