I have been reflecting on the wonderful story in 1 Kings 17:7-16 about Elijah and the widow of Zarephath. I felt God wanted to bring both deep comfort and challenge as we consider how God dealt with both Elijah and the widow.
The story starts with the words ‘some time later the brook dried up.’ This was the very brook the Lord had led Elijah to when he prophesied to Ahab that there would be no rain on the land. God had guided, God had provided. Elijah had drunk and eaten all he needed during that time of hardship. But now the brook had dried up. What was going on? Had God forgotten him?
Maybe you too are going through a time of spiritual confusion or desolation? Have you received a promise from the Lord but not yet seen it fulfilled? Have you stepped out in faith trusting God to provide and maybe for a while you have seen His provision, but now like Elijah are experiencing sudden inexplicable dryness?
Times like this can feel very scary and confusing. But the wonderful thing is that God is still there with Elijah, and is still caring and providing, but as always He has a bigger picture of the beautiful things He wants to bring about. There is a widow that God wants to do something amazing for, and so He brings their stories together. ‘Go to Zarephath’ the Lord tells Elijah, ‘I have directed a widow there to supply you with food. . .’
That seems straightforward until you read on and discover that the widow has no idea that she has been so directed. She is in a desperate place of starvation and need and is about to prepare a final tiny fragment of food for herself and her son before they succumb to the famine and die.
Why did God send Elijah to her when she was a foreigner and in such terrible need? Why not to someone rich and able to support him? But God’s miracles are always much bigger than we can ever imagine. God had heard her whispered cries of fear and desperation, just as he hears yours and mine. He wanted her to know she was a vital part of His plans, and nothing was impossible for Him or for the one who steps out in faith and obedience. Elijah asked her to feed him first – that seems almost cruel, and yet without that act of obedience she would never have seen the miracle of God’s awesome provision for herself and her son.
As I pondered this story on all its levels the Lord reminded me of a phrase I read in the Lectio 365 daily devotional and spoke it in my heart, ‘What do you have in your hand? The Lord asks us to offer what we have. I often feel I don’t have anything much and compared to others, what can I give that will make a difference to anyone? But it was that desperate widow that God sent Elijah to and as she gave what was in her hands, He provided not just for Elijah but for her too, with miraculous abundance. God wants to encourage us all to recognise that He is at work even when we are in times of great confusion. He cares and is there for us but also wants to give us eyes to see the bigger picture.
This isn’t just about material need but the whole of our lives and who we are. I remember when Marilyn asked if I could lead a dance workshop when the professional dancer cancelled. I said no, as with my deafness, unsteadiness and fear of being vulnerable it seemed impossible. But the Lord spoke in my heart saying it would help others if they had a leader who felt she couldn’t do it! All I had ‘in my hand’ was my love of anything beautiful, but I yielded and offered it Him and Tracy’s wobbly dance workshop was born! Many, many people since, of all ages, abilities and disabilities have tried and discovered the wonder of worshipping with their bodies and the power that creates of blessing and touching others.
Praying you will know the awe of God using ‘what you have in your hand’ and that you will see and experience His great love, provision and care for you as you step out in faith.
