“And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.” I Kings 17:1-2
As her son lay sleeping, the widow woman checked her pantry and found only enough meal and oil for one small cake. Knowing there was no money to buy more, she took the only step she knew to take and went out to gather a few sticks for a fire. A man approached her asking for a drink of water. Without hesitation, or complaining, she returned to her house to get it for him.
To her surprise, he stopped her and asked her to also bring him some bread. Without hesitation, she told him her story. “I only have a handful of meal and a little oil; I am gathering these sticks to make a fire so that my son and I can eat the last little cake and then we will die.”
Imagine her surprise when Elijah told her to make the cake for him first and then make one for her son. She had just told him she only had enough for one cake.
But Elijah gave her a promise: “For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.”
So, she took the next step, obeyed the man of God, and every day as she went to the meal barrel and the oil cruse, there was enough to provide food for the three of them, just as had been promised. She was generous and hospitable and believed that God would supply her needs.
I saw a quote this morning: “Focus on the step in front of you and not the whole staircase.”
How often when we are faced with difficulties and problems, we try to look into the future and find the answers that we need. How much better it is when we take it to the Lord in prayer, which should always be our first step in any situation. Then let Him lead us. He knows the future; He has a plan and will lead us one step at a time.
“Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Matthew 6:34
What are you facing today that seems insurmountable? Spend some time in prayer, asking the Lord to show you the next step. He knows what is best and we have His promise in Philippians 4:19 “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”
Prayer: Lord Jesus, we ask you to lead us one step at a time, knowing that you have planned our path and that all things work together for our good as we trust in You.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
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