Listen

The Lord’s word came to Elijah: Get up and go to Zarephath near Sidon and stay there. I have ordered a widow there to take care of you. Elijah left and went to Zarephath. As he came to the town gate, he saw a widow collecting sticks. He called out to her, “Please get a little water for me in this cup so I can drink.” She went to get some water. He then said to her, “Please get me a piece of bread.”

“As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any food; only a handful of flour in a jar and a bit of oil in a bottle. Look at me. I’m collecting two sticks so that I can make some food for myself and my son. We’ll eat the last of the food and then die.”

1 Kings 17:8-12

Think

Like the widow in the Temple in Jesus’ day, the widow in Zarephath is being asked by a man of God to give up all she has. Scripture tells us that God has ordered the widow to help Elijah, but when he approaches her, she does not seem to have gotten the message – she is preparing to take care of herself and her son, one last time, and then will have nothing left to give to anyone else.

I wonder what she is thinking in this moment. Is her despair keeping her from hearing God’s voice? Is she ignoring God’s command because she thinks it’s impossible? Does she hope that explaining her situation will cause Elijah to pity her and help her out?

Sometimes we can be so overwhelmed by our needs that we fail to recognize the voice of God. However, we must never forget that God provides, even when we don’t see how, and even when we are being asked for things we don’t think we will be able to give.

Ann Wells

Pray

God, help me to remember that you provide for me, always. Help me to listen for your voice even when circumstances are overwhelming and there seems to be no help in sight. Send me an “Elijah” when I need someone to challenge me and cause me to ask for your help. Amen.

Go

If you cannot give your thousands,
You can give the widow’s mite;
What you truly give for Jesus
Will be precious in His sight.

Daniel March in “Hark, the Voice of Jesus Calling” (1868)