The Lost Axe Head: When You Lose Your Edge
Ever borrowed a tool from a friend? There’s always that little bit of pressure—you don’t want to be the guy who breaks it. But what if you do?
In 2 Kings 6:1-7, a group of prophets is building when one of them loses a borrowed axe head in the river. It wasn’t even his, and now it’s gone. But Elisha steps in, throws a stick in the water, and suddenly, the iron floats.
This story isn’t just about a lost tool—it’s about how God restores what seems beyond repair.
Growth Requires Movement – The prophets were expanding because staying stagnant wasn’t an option. The same is true in our spiritual lives. If we stop growing, we start declining.
We Can Lose Our Edge – The axe head represents effectiveness. Through sin, exhaustion, or discouragement, we can lose our spiritual sharpness.
God Restores What’s Lost – If He can make iron float, He can bring back what seems too far gone—whether it’s faith, purpose, or passion.
Faith Requires Action – Elisha didn’t hand the axe head back. The man had to reach out and take it. God provides, but we have to respond.
This leads us to Romans 11.
Israel, like that axe head, seemed lost. Many assumed God had moved on, replacing them with someone else. But Paul makes it clear—God’s promises don’t expire. He had a remnant, a faithful few who proved He wasn’t done.
God’s Faithfulness Doesn’t Depend on Us – If He didn’t abandon Israel at their worst, He won’t abandon us in our weakness.
There’s Always a Remnant – Elijah thought he was the last faithful man standing, but God had 7,000 others. Just because we don’t see God moving doesn’t mean He isn’t.
Grace, Not Works – Paul reminds us that salvation is all grace. The moment we try to earn it, it stops being grace.
Sometimes, we feel like we’ve drifted too far, lost our passion, or even messed up too much for God to restore us. But if He can make iron float and preserve a people who had walked away, He can bring back what we thought was gone for good.
The real question is—when He calls us to take hold of it, will we reach out?