There is a very stressful time in between the time that God speaks to you and the time that you see His fulfillment. You heard His voice. You knew His direction. Now you wait for the fulfillment to come. Will God come through? Will it work?
When you started out you were certain of His direction, you knew that He was leading. But now you are not at all sure of yourself. You have questions and ponder the uncertainty. What will happen next?
In those moments it is tempting to think that maybe God has forgotten us. Isaiah 49:14-16 says “no.” Listen to his words. “But Zion said, "The LORD has forsaken me, the Lord has forgotten me." "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.”
Did you hear that? It is hard to imagine a woman nursing a child and forgetting that child while it is nursing. God answers the cry of Zion that it is forgotten by saying even if a mother could somehow could forget, He never forgets.
Yes, God has your name engraved on His hand. You are permanently on His mind. The walls you face are ALWAYS in front of Him. He is aware of the walls you are facing. He knows what is going on.
Elijah, in today’s passage, is right in the middle of the stressful moment I described.
The Brook Dried Up (Verse 7) It always does…
“Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land.”
Elijah had been commanded to go to this brook. God had promised to provide. Imagine the stress in Elijah’s heart as the brook dried up. He watched as it diminished, gradually slowing to a trickle and then drying up completely. Now he most certainly wondered where God was. Hadn’t God sent him there? Now what? We certainly understand his emotion. It doesn’t make sense.
May I be so bold as to say that the brook always dries up. We can’t stay in the safe place forever. If God doesn’t allow our brook to dry up, we don’t move on. Elijah’s training time is done. It’s time to move on.
God Directs Elijah (Verse 8-9)
“Then the word of the Lord came to him: "Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food."
God saw where Elijah was in the process. He came and spoke to His doubt filled prophet. Thank the Lord He doesn’t leave us out there. Remember the promise that our walls are before Him. He doesn’t make us figure it out on our own!
He is to find a widow who will provide. That detail is not without significance. The widow was a special, helpless, protected class of people. God uses even the vulnerable to fulfill His plans.
Elijah Meets the Widow (Verses 10-11)
“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?" As she was going to get it, he called, "And bring me, please, a piece of bread."
Elijah makes the 100-mile journey. Arriving at Zarephath he quickly spots the widow. We can ask the question, “how did he know it was this widow?” God’s Holy Spirit led him directly to her. He will lead us in the same way.
He calls out to her, requesting a drink of water and a small cake of bread. No small request here. He asks her for those things which everyone in the entire kingdom is lacking. A bold request made from a deep faith drives him. So, he asks. God said, “go” and Elijah went. God said, “She will provide” so he asks.
A Desperate Situation (Verse 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."
Elijah certainly did not expect her response. She is in an extremely desperate situation. She has been gathering sticks so she can prepare a final meal for her and her son. She will be out of oil and flour. How her heart broke as she picked up those sticks. She is a desperate woman, yet still brings him the water.
God’s Promise Through Elijah (Verses 13-14)
“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. 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.'"
Elijah issues the woman a surprising word of promise. God will supply. They will not run out of water, oil, or flour. He promises her that God will supply their needs. Her next actions will be a test of faith. Will she believe the promise of God?
God KEEPS His Word (Verses 15-16) He always does!
“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. 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.”
Amazingly the woman trusts God and obeys Him. One would not have expected to find faith in Zarephath. Yet here it is on display. God promised to provide, and she trusted him.
God provided. He came through just as He said He would. Morning and evening God provided. Every time she looked in her jar she saw enough flour for one more meal. Every time she reached for the oil there was just enough.
God supplied just enough for the day at hand. There was never more or less than they needed. The jug was never full, nor was it ever empty. God has consistently taught his people that they must rely on Him daily. He will provide for our needs daily. Psalms 68:19 “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.”
The walk of faith is one that requires our daily reliance on God. Sometimes our walls are so challenging that even depending on God for the day is hard. In those moments we cry out,
“God help me through the next five minutes. I need you now, Lord.” He will ALWAYS come through.
What can we learn from this passage? Five truths stand out:
- First, God’s leading is often SURPRISING, so don’t analyze it. Trust Him even when it doesn’t make sense.
- Second, God delights in taking what we have and USING it. Offer what you have up to Him.
- Third, God is FAITHFUL to take care of our needs. Listen to His promise. “So, do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)
- Fourth, God’s promises often hinge on our OBEDIENCE don’t ignore your part. God will move after we step out in obedience.
- Finally, God’s provisions are often just enough-don’t fail to THANK Him.
