“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.” I Kings 17:14
God often chooses ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
A Serious Situation
The Bible does not reveal this woman’s name, it only says that she was a widow with a child. She had no means of support and apparently, no family near to help her. Checking her pantry, she found only a little bit of flour and enough oil to make one last small cake for her and her boy. She went outside and gathered enough twigs to make a fire and met with a stranger.
A Bold Request
When Elijah asked her for a drink and something to eat, she must have felt very embarrassed to tell him she only had enough food for one more meal for her child. Knowing her situation, he had the nerve to request that she make a cake for him first. He assured her that if she did that, her supplies would last until the famine was over.
A Miracle
She believed the words of Elijah and went to do as he had asked. She was not disappointed: 1 Kings 17:15-16 “And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Elijah.
Often, the Lord allows us to reach the end of our natural resources before He answers our prayers. He had placed this woman exactly where he wanted her to be to provide for Elijah. Though she did not have much to offer, she generously gave what she had. She, her son, and Elijah were able to eat for days.
Reward for Faithfulness
When her son fell ill and died, she cried out to Elijah. He prayed over the boy: “And the LORD heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.”
No doubt Jesus was remembering this widow, when He spoke the words recorded in Matthew 10:41-42 “He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.”
We may not always understand why the Lord has allowed circumstances in our lives, but if we trust Him and obey what He asks us to do, He will always be there for us.
Prayer: Jesus, we are so thankful that you place us where you want us. Help us to keep our eyes and ears open for opportunities to be generous and hospitable to others, knowing that all we have comes from you, and is to be used for your glory.
Devotion by Anne Johnston
