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Elijah and the widow at Zarephath!

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.” So he went to Zarephath. 1 Kings 17:8-10

Good morning, friends.

When the water of the brook dried up, the Lord asked him to go to Zarephath. He obeyed and went.

When Elijah came to Zarephath, 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.” “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 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.” 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. 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.

We have so many messages from this passage.

One: Elijah was told by the Lord to go to Zarephath even before he complained God that He was not providing even the water of the brook when it went dry. God knows when and how to take care of our needs. The only thing which we can do is, to trust that He would fulfill His promises at His right time according to His heavenly riches.

Two: God didn’t ask Elijah to go to a rich family, but to the poorest. This is how God works. He doesn’t need the powerful and the most talented men to work out His plans. He just needs the humble ones. Are you humble? Are you flexible? If yes, cheer up. God can use you for His glory, no matter how dry you’re.

Three: The poor widow believed what the prophet told and she was willing to provide God’s man. She didn’t doubt his words. She didn’t look for her and her son’s own needs, instead she gave what she had. Are you worrying that you don’t have anything to honor God with. Don’t worry. God just wants you and not what you have.

Four: When the widow helped Elijah, she was blessed and her oil and flour didn’t decrease, instead they both remained as they were in the day 1 till the end of the famine. When you are willing to sacrifice things for God, definitely God will provide you above all that you can ever ask for. Not even a single cup of water you give for His work will go waste. They will be stored in your eternal account.

Five: When you serve God sincerely like Elijah, God will not only bless you, but will also bless others like widow at Zarephath through you. Are you ready to be a blessing to others? If yes, serve Him sincerely without turning back even at the times of famine.

May God bless you and you be a blessing to others!!!

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