1 KINGS 17
When King Ahab became King in Israel, he sinned against God, served and worshipped the pagan god – Baal and built a temple and an altar for it. He married Jezebel and provoked God to anger more than any of the Kings before him. God stopped the rain in the land and told the prophet Elijah to move away from king Ahab and go to a solitary hiding place in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan. God used Ravens which were regarded as unclean birds and a foreigner – a widow for that matter to care for Elijah. God commanded the brook to give him water and the Ravens to bring him food. (1 Kings 17:6) God sent Elijah to a solitary place where he could not be disturbed so that Elijah could hear from God.
At the time the widow of Zeraphath met Elijah, she thought she was preparing her last meal. A simple act of faith changed her story as she trusted the prophet of God, Elijah and gave all she and her family had to eat to him. Faith can move mountains and can tear down walls and barriers. Faith gives us access to the provisions of God for His children. The Bible says, “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” 1 Kings 17:13 says “And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son”. But with that request Elijah speaks a word of faith to her, “afterward make some for yourself and for your son.” And with what? “Verse 14 “For thus says the LORD God of Israel: The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry, until the day the LORD sends rain on the earth.” You too can rest assured that while the situation is out of your hand, God will take care of the situation. After this miracle of provision, the widow’s son died and she blamed God. She saw Gods miracle of provision and mercy and now she thinks God is punishing her because she isn’t perfect. Problems may come your way more than once or twice but they cannot stay when you have the divine empowerment of God flowing through you. God knows what we can handle and will not give us more.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, the story of the widow of Zarephath should always remind us of God’s provision and power and give us faith to trust God to do the same for us too when we call on Him and do what He tells us to do.
PRAISE THE LORD!
PRAYER POINT: My Lord and my Father, please renew my faith and hope in Your might.