God sustains the supernovas in space.
God sustains widows in Zidon.
God sustains my place.
God directs Elijah to Zidon to a widow, a very poor widow. He didn't send the prophet to a king like Solomon surrounded in wealth. He sends him to a widow with a handful of meal in a barrel and a little oil in a cruse. I Kings 17:12. God uses the weak, small, foolish things of the world to shame the wise, to shame the strong. I Cor 1:27. Elijah asks this stranger to make him a cake first, then one for her son and herself, according to the LORD. And the widow did! That one little meal ushered her and her son into a bounty of meals for two years in famine. Oh, to obey our God in hope against hope. When the circumstances look threadbare, terrifying.
Then, a day came, when the circumstances took a turn that she never dreamed. She stood the funeral of her husband---now she stands at the funeral of her son. But, Elijah---who had never seen anyone rise from the dead---prayed for God to give back to the widow her boy. The LORD God heard the voice of Elijah! He breathed life when the widow was looking for relief. Beyond her dreams. Reminds me of the story of Hannah---I've never forgotten the mouth of Hannah moving relentlessly, fearlessly, lovelessly for a child she had not. And now, the Voice of Elijah for a poor widow for the child she has not. What faith! What hope!
Does God hear my voice this day?
PRAYER FROM PSALMS
Our prayer this day is found in Psalm 33:20.
O God, help us to wait in hope for You to move in our circumstances.
You are our Help and Shield.
Biographical Reading ~ Elijah & the Widow: I Kings 17
OVERVIEW: I Kings 15-17
Image: Smithsonian www.flickr.com/common
The story of Elijah makes me so thankful for what I have, and lets me remember all the times God carried me and my family. I love the widow, who, ready to eat the last meal and die with her son. She shared what she thought would be their last meal. Imagine, making the flour and oil last for 2 years! A miracle even greater, restoration of the child from the dead.
ReplyDeleteFaith comes from adversity. Elijah was prepared to totally trust in God for his survival after being fed special delivery by ravens sent from God. I have never seen a raven or crow willing to share. So, another miracle!
Total reliance on God = child like faith.
So often I ask for child like faith, not realizing I have to relinquish my role as an adult and jump into God's arms and give him control.
The widow and her son were provided for, sustained. Through Elijah's visit, God provided for all three of them. Day in, day out, the flour and oil replenished. Surely, they would have all died but for this mercy.
ReplyDeleteCorrie ten Boom tells the story of her sister Betsie's vitamin drops. Her sister had a vitamin deficiency and needed the drops. Corrie found that many other women had the same deficiency and needed them also. She figured even if she only gave them to her sister, she had enough for a month at best. So each day, she lined up all the women and gave them the vitamin drops. The bottle never emptied. There was enough until God supplied another source for them. Betsie remembered Elijah and the widow's story of the replenishing oil and they knew it was a modern day miracle like that which had happened so long ago.
In the midst of death and horrible conditions, women of that prison got hope of eternal life and for blessed future.
Romans 5:3-5 "...we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us."
I told Corrie's story about God sustaining, but I have plenty of my own. Nothing short of miraculous, too! He continues to sustain us to this very day as we place our trust in Him alone.
DeleteI had forgotten that story of Corrie's and the vitamins. Oh, how she was used by God. She shows us what a Big God we have. Oh, for faith like hers.
DeleteA passage which always bolsters faith during a time of trial/hard season. He sustains us in every way. He will never leave us or forsake us, though many times we miss Him because we are focused on the circumstance and not Him.
ReplyDelete