After spending considerable time at Cherith, the tiny tributary to the lower Jordan River, Elijah travelled to Zarephath on the northern Mediterranean coast. As he slipped into town, he found a widow, just as God had promised.
To assure that this was the right widow, Elijah asked her for a drink of water. I suppose that the Gentile widow might have refused the Jewish prophet’s request, but she didn’t. Instead, she graciously brought “a little water in a cup” (1 Kings 17:10). Remember, there was a severe drought in the land, so even a cup of water was a generous offering.
After his thirst was quenched, Elijah made a bigger request. “Please bring me a piece of bread” (1 Kings 17:11). She didn’t refuse, but she explained. “I don’t have anything baked—only a handful of flour in the jar and a bit of oil in the jug. Just now, I am gathering a couple of sticks in order to go prepare it for myself and my son so we can eat it and die” (1 Kings 17:12). She was destitute and certain that she and her son would soon die of starvation.
Faithfully, Elijah gave her instruction. First and foremost, “don’t be afraid!” (1 Kings 17:13).
Put your trust in the Living God, don’t fear! Then, in faithful obedience, give everything you have to the Lord … everything. “Make me a small loaf … and bring it out to me” (1 Kings 17:13).
Jesus gave similar instructions to us. “Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear … But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you” (Matthew 6:25, 33).
The impoverished Gentile widow trusted God. She gave everything! She scraped the bottom of the barrel to gather the last of her flour. She poured out the last drops of cooking oil. She gave everything … and God rewarded her faithfulness. “The flour jar did not become empty, and the oil jug did not run dry” (1 Kings 17:16). Every morning and every evening, the widow went to her tiny kitchen to prepare a batch of biscuits, and every morning and every evening God multiplied the little and made it ... enough.
Our God “is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). The God who multiplied the flour and oil also multiplied the little boy’s lunch and fed five thousand men and their families. He rained manna from heaven for forty years… and He’s big enough to meet our needs today and tomorrow.
Don’t worry. Don’t be afraid. “My God will supply all your needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).
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