July 16, 2024 - 1 Kings‬ ‭17‬:‭8‬-‭9‬, ‭12‬-‭14

“Then the Lord said to Elijah, “Go and live in the village of Zarephath, near the city of Sidon. I have instructed a widow there to feed you.”” [He did so.] “But she said, “I swear by the Lord your God that I don’t have a single piece of bread in the house. And I have only a handful of flour left in the jar and a little cooking oil in the bottom of the jug. I was just gathering a few sticks to cook this last meal, and then my son and I will die.” But Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you’ve said but make a little bread for me first. Then use what’s left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again!”” 1 Kings 17:8-9, 12-14 NLT

Lord, you instructed Elijah, who was in need of food and water, to ask a widow to feed him. When you could have miraculously continued to provide for Elijah, you allowed that to stop so that you could use him to save the widow and her son. He didn’t get mad at you when his water dried up but walked in obedience. When he saw the widow, she must have looked like she was starving, and when she explained her dire situation that didn’t stop him from asking her to give him the last she had. He asked because he understood who you are. You are a God who longs to bless us and care for us. Because of Elijah’s obedience, not only did he get blessed, but the widow and her son were saved from starvation. This also required her to walk in obedience when it literally meant giving the last she had. Lord, make us willing to walk in obedience to what you ask even when it looks so contrary to what we should do in the natural. Let our obedience release blessings not only to us but others.

In Jesus name, amen.