Seeking God in 1 KINGS

“And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but a handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse; and behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die.”
1KINGS 17:12

What a temptation to look upon our present resources as our last. What a delusion to count our blessings as if God would put a definite number in them. We inventory our possessions; try to arrange some crazy math to figure out how our needs will be met. One plus one equals…three? Yes, we serve a triune God, someone who defies science and logic. When we, as that widow, look upon our jar of flour and our oil as our last meal, God looks upon it as our meal ticket. Notice also that God does not require fanfare or golden angels to bless His people; He might send the ravens, as He did to Elijah, to feed you bread and meat twice a day.

That poor widow may have felt life running away from her. In her desperation, she may have looked upon her helpless son and cried herself to sleep. Did she pray? Our Bible does not say. God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts. Did she pray? God’s ways are higher than our ways. Did she pray? Even if she did not pray, God kept her in mind for an eternal purpose. That poor widow fed more than Elijah, she is feeding us hope this day, as she has done for generations. Through that poor widow God reminds us that no matter our circumstances, no matter how dried up our resources might look in the natural, He is willing and able to make the weak say I am strong.

Lord we desire to be pleasing in your sight, and above all else, to be called your own. We wish to live in the shadow of the Almighty that we may dwell in your light and bask in your love all the days of this life and for all eternity. Do not leave us nor forsake us, Lord. And teach us to really trust in you, that we may provide for our families and be a blessing in your name. This we ask you in your son Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.