Here’s a little snack: We have been drawing our text from the well of 1Kings 17. Verse 9 says, “Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which [belongeth] to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.” Elijah was given specific instructions to follow and in doing so, God would not only expose Himself to Elijah but also to a struggling widow and her son.
Sitting quietly in her home was a widow woman, without provisions for her and her son. The death of her husband, coupled with the drought and famine had left her destitute of even a proper last meal. Crouched in a fetal position, this dying woman could almost hear the footsteps of provision, if she had only known to listen. Had she known that God’s prophet was speedily making his way in her direction she could have rejoiced to know that help was on its way… but she had no idea. She had no idea that a sovereign God was working on her behalf.
You see, the word “commanded” in verse 9 is the same as our word “prepared”. In fact, God had not yet spoken to this woman to command her to do anything. However, He had prepared her and her situation, that God, by His good pleasure, would be glorified by the obedience of a Prophet and the sacrifice of a widow. The whole scene was designed and orchestrated by the divine hand of a providential God.
How important it is to know, in our time of famine, that God is not far away! In fact, He is very near. He not only knows about our desperate situations, but He has provided the means of sustenance. Can you see how that both Elijah and the widow woman were used to provide for the other? While one is called to obedience, the other is called to sacrifice. Both are the necessary ingredients of provision. To see the Lord work in our lives, we must be obedient unto sacrifice.
Tomorrow we will see the depth of this woman’s sacrifice. Your comments are most welcome.
Pastor Mike Carmody
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