Today’s scripture: 1 Kings 17:8-16 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
My thoughts (Sue Robinson):
As I read today’s passage, I am amazed at the faith and obedience of this woman. Let me try to imagine the scene.
Elijah has been told by God to go to the town of Zarephath and look for this woman at the gate gathering sticks.
She is a widow with a young son. This account doesn’t say how old he is, but evidently he is not old enough to help out financially.
She is, as God said, gathering sticks at the town gate just to be able to light a fire to cook her last little bit of flour and oil into some kind of final meal. This stranger comes and asks for a cup of water. That isn’t a problem. She doesn’t question this request. But now he wants bread. Really. She just told him that when this little bit was eaten, she and her son would die. She knew that there was no more flour and oil, and that there would be no more coming any time soon.
But God had prepared her heart beforehand. She didn’t hesitate. She got the cup of water and prepared the food for Elijah. And the account goes on to say that she and her household then ate for many days from the bin of flour and the jar of oil that miraculously didn’t deplete.
I don’t think giving was a new concept for her. I see her as someone who was used to helping others. She didn’t hesitate when she thought about the consequences of her actions. I think she would have done just the same without the promise of more food for her and her son.
What faith! Would I have done the same, knowing that all I had left was such a small amount and that when it was gone my son and I would just have to die? Would I give some away under these circumstances? Something to ponder in my heart!
Prayer for the day: Lord, help me not to hold back out of fear of lack. Place in me a generous heart. Amen
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