1 Kings 17:12-16
Last week we ended the post speaking on how the widow focused on her situation and the little that she had.
Elijah responded by saying, “Do not fear…” Why? Because GOD says…..! That’s it. There is nothing else to add. DO NOT FEAR, BECAUSE GOD SAYS! This is so awesome because Elijah instructed her to first take the little bit that she has and give it to him. In giving to the man of GOD she was essentially giving to GOD as the man of GOD spoke that which was instructed by GOD.
Then Elijah instructed her to make some for her and her son and the promise came that her “handful of flour” would not be used up nor would the “little oil in a jar” run dry until it rain again. Let’s remember that there is a drought in the land and this widow only had enough ingredients to fix one last meal for her and her son and after that, they will not have anything else to eat. But the man of GOD comes along and speaks the words of GOD that contained a promise. The words of GOD gave hope to the one with no hope. The one who could only see death was now able to see life because of the word of the LORD. The words of GOD are life! Speak the words of GOD whenever and wherever no hope, death, and destruction exist. Speak the words of GOD. Speak the words of GOD to others. Speak the words of GOD to yourself!
Notice that she was instructed to give what she had first. She was instructed to give her little. She gave to GOD first. This is a clear picture of GOD doing what HE does. Throughout the course of history, we see GOD taking little and make abundance. With man this is impossible, but with GOD all things are possible. The last I heard HE is the LORD, the GOD of all flesh and nothing is too hard for HIM.
I know how we can feel sometimes. We look at our possessions; we look at where we came from; we look at who we are; and we determine that we only have a little; we determine that we don’t bring much to the table; that nothing good can come from the little that we have; and this is true, but when you give whatever you have to GOD, no matter how small it is, HE can make it abundance. HE can use your little to care for many. HE can use you, little ol’ you, to provide for many. The key is to give to HIM first.
Give you to HIM first. Give what you have to HIM first, and HE can do great things. You nor anyone else can take glory from it because you know that it was HE who did the work.
So the widow, through faith, did according to the word of Elijah and her, Elijah, and her household ate for many days. Not one day. Not two days, but many days. The drought lasted for three years and six months! I can’t quantify “many days,” but it does not matter because she only had enough for one meal, but because of GOD, it lasted “many days” and many meals. Once again we see GOD’s provision.
Let’s also understand that everything mentioned in this study happens through FAITH; through trusting in what GOD has said, no matter how impossible it may seem. In this realm, with our human wisdom and logic, many things concerning GOD just do not make sense (and without FAITH it will never make sense). FAITH believes and trusts GOD because, well, just because HE is GOD. GOD told the widow that if she just gave away the little that she had that what she had would not run out. Through FAITH she believed GOD and HE provided for her and all who were with her. GLORY TO GOD!
My final exhortation is simple: TRUST GOD! Earlier I encouraged you to speak the words of GOD in your life and in the lives of others. It takes FAITH to do that. It is not a method or a magical formula. It is pure, genuine, wholehearted belief and trust that GOD is and GOD does what HE says HE does—period. Through faith you can consciously be aware of GOD’s provision and sovereignty, glorifying HIM all along the way. So, if GOD says go to the brook—GO. And if GOD says to leave the brook—LEAVE. And if GOD says give all you have—GIVE.
Grace and peace.
