9. "Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food." 10. So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, "Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?" 11. As she was going to get it, he called, "And bring me, please, a piece of bread." 12. "As surely as the LORD your God lives," she replied, "I don't have any bread-- only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it-- and die." 13. Elijah said to her, "Don't be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. 14. For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land.'" 15. She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 16. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah. (NIV)
Elijah was sent many miles away to a Gentile widow woman. He took important the steps of obedience, waiting, and testing. In obedience God was going to provide food in a different way. Elijah was told to go and eat from unclean ravens and live with a Gentile woman to receive her hospitality. She was not a woman of means, but indeed the very opposite.
When the Lord sent him to this unclean Gentile woman, I believe God showed Elijah and us that throughout the history of Israel He was working among non-Jewish people as well.
God wants us to trust Him with the little bit that you have. Give it to Him and He will multiply it if it is in accordance with His truth. The God of miracles could have easily given a whole roomful of food for the next 2 years supply, but the lesson was to trust God for one’s daily need, continually applying faith. They had to sacrifice to God what they had first and He would supply the rest. Strength that God gives is for the moment, not before and not after, but just for the time you need it. We must continually look to Him for our strength. God does not want us to trust the gifts He gives, but Himself as the giver.
I had a friend who was unemployed and his resources were running out. He prayed often for a job but and nothing came. He attended the church meeting one evening and heard the plight of a missionary. He sensed God wanting him to give his last $5.00. He thought of his need. Wisdom said he shouldn’t, but out of obedience and sacrifice, he put it in the offering plate - all he had. Tomorrow he would go beg for food.
the service one of the men from the church offered him a job to start immediately in the morning, food provided. He couldn’t believe it. He was not moved by some manipulative evangelist; his dealings were between him and God. His faith was not in what he gave, but, in obedience, trusted the Lord with what He had prompted him to do.
There are many stories of people compelled to sacrifice under the direction of the Lord who find that with obedience, waiting, testing and sacrifice, God is worthy of their trust.
Application: What is the little bit that you have that God would have you sacrifice for Him, trusting Him.
Prayer: Father, give me the strength to step out in faith, knowing that You will provide.
