Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
April 12, 2023
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; God’s grace is sufficient!
It is hard to grasp living in a time with so little that you would say we’ll eat the last of our food and then we’ll die. The lack of food is undoubtedly a problem, but the complete lack of hope is even more glaring. To believe that there is no way for her and her son to live another day is overwhelming.
Even during our poorest times as a young family, we never were down to our last meal. We are blessed to live in a land of plenty, but some face equally desperate times. Even within our own communities, there are those who are uncertain of where or when their next meal will come. In the winter, they don’t have money to heat their homes, and unexpected expenses like medical care can quickly move them to hopeless situations.
For the widow to make Elijah bread from the last of her provisions is unimaginable. The faith that she showed at that moment is unwavering.
Think of when we give things to the poor; we give from our abundance. Would be willing to give the last of what we have to meet the needs of someone else? If your cupboard was bare except for one potato, could you give it to someone else in need? Is our faith strong enough to believe God will provide for our needs?
Following the call of God is easy when we don’t feel challenged or inconvenienced. We go to church and share our abundant blessings with those in need by donating to local food banks and clothing drives. We might even go and work to gather things for the needy. Don’t get me wrong, we should continue doing all these great things.
When I consider the sacrifice of this widow, I see great faith. We have so many examples in the Bible of great faith overcoming impossible odds. Abraham took his son to sacrifice him at Mt. Moriah. David defeated Goliath. The woman gave her two coins. Of course, there is Jesus, who sacrificed his own life so that we might be forgiven and have eternal life.
Developing the faith that can move mountains takes time to grow as we journey on our path to eternal life. It begins by listening and answering God’s call. We start with baby steps.
Blessed God, We thank you for Your blessings. We are so blessed. We struggle to give all we have to those in need. Help us believe! In the name of Christ, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: It is a blessing to say yes to God’s call.
Trust and Obey! Pastor Liz
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