This profound truth from has changed my life. Proverbs states that it is both the fruit of our lips (our prayers and declarations) and the work of our hands that reward us.

From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him (Proverbs 12:14).

Amazing. This scripture alone could revolutionize your life. Pray and do. We will look at this again from another angle in a later blog when we discuss the importance of our words.

In 2 Kings 3, we have the historical account of the kings of Israel and Judah marching out into the desert on the way to fight the King of Moab.  They ran out of water and inquired of Elisha the prophet about what they should do. He told them they should dig ditches and God would fill them with water. Let’s look at the story.

While the harpist was playing, the hand of the Lord came upon Elisha and he said, “This is what the Lord says: Make this valley full of ditches. For this is what the Lord says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink. This is an easy thing in the eyes of the Lord; he will also hand Moab over to you…” The next morning, about the time for offering the sacrifice, there it was—water flowing from the direction of Edom! And the land was filled with water (2 Kings 3:15-19, 20).

We see again that the Lord expected some action from the Kings of Israel and Judah to match his efforts. We should do things to put ourselves in a place for God to prosper us.As we have previously examined the children of Israel had manna come from heaven while they were wondering in the wilderness, but later they were expected to work, sow and reap in the Promised Land. Is God going to drop money out of heaven like he did manna in the wilderness? Not usually, this would only cultivate a lazy spirit. God helps and rewards those who take initiative.

There are times God tells us to wait, but most of the time he expects us to act.