Morning Devotional 020726 Are You Waiting to Die?

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

February 6, 2026

1 King 17:8-16

8 The LORD’s word came to Elijah: 9 Get up and go to Zarephath near Sidon and stay there. I have ordered a widow there to take care of you. 10 Elijah left and went to Zarephath. As he came to the town gate, he saw a widow collecting sticks. He called out to her, “Please get a little water for me in this cup so I can drink.” 11 She went to get some water. He then said to her, “Please get me a piece of bread.” 12 “As surely as the LORD your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any food; only a handful of flour in a jar and a bit of oil in a bottle. Look at me. I’m collecting two sticks so that I can make some food for myself and my son. We’ll eat the last of the food and then die.” 13 Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid! Go and do what you said. Only make a little loaf of bread for me first. Then bring it to me. You can make something for yourself and your son after that. 14 This is what Israel’s God, the LORD, says: The jar of flour won’t decrease and the bottle of oil won’t run out until the day the LORD sends rain on the earth.” 15 The widow went and did what Elijah said. So the widow, Elijah, and the widow’s household ate for many days. 16 The jar of flour didn’t decrease nor did the bottle of oil run out, just as the LORD spoke through Elijah.

Good Morning! Trust in the Lord!

Imagine being the widow. You have done all that you can to extend the life of your child, and now your end is in sight. You have one day’s supply of flour and oil. As you consider preparing this last meal, a stranger arrives asking for water and bread. 

I’m guessing that she has ceremoniously planned this last collection of sticks and the making of bread, and now she must take time to talk to this stranger who has interrupted her plan. 

It’s interesting that she does not claim the Lord as hers, but Elijah’s. Despite acknowledging their dire situation, she shows no sign of panic. She matter-of-factly states that she and her son will eat the last of their food and then wait to die. 

Respectfully, she does as Elijah asks, and she is blessed with unending provisions for her and her son. By trusting the words of hope given by a stranger, she discovers that the Lord she had not previously claimed as hers was with her and would provide for her. 

Trust and obey are easy words to sing, but they are hard to do. The widow relinquished control of her short-lived destiny and found new life.

Redeeming Lord, you bless us abundantly! It is hard for us to give up control. You send others to teach us a new way. Thank you. We love you. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

Thought for the day: ​God can do great things when we share what we have.

Share and be blessed! Pastor Liz