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June 27th

The Bible reading today is in 1 Kings 17,18,19...looking into the godly life of the prophet Elijah.

To me, these chapters make up some of the most encouraging revelation in the Bible. So it starts with the sacrificial giving of a faithful woman. Don't miss this.

God spoke to Elijah saying..."Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you." So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, "Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may drink." And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, "Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand." And she said, "As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die."

‭‭1 Kings‬ ‭17:9-12‬ ‭

It had not rained in Israel for three years. People were literally dying of starvation and the lack of water to drink...the draught was that bad.

A godly woman of Zarephath was watching her son die from that dreadfully hard season. Dried up rivers and dead crops in the fields left to rot. Yes, this single mother was in terrible straits. We might ask God, “Why did You choose to use this poor woman to minister to Your prophet? Why not someone who had more to offer?”

And I believe that God would answer me this way: “Jim, I wanted to do something glorious through this precious woman. I wanted to do something good for this faithful mother. I've trusted her with little, and she trusted Me. Now I'm going to give her much.”

Elijah said, “give me a portion first”...then go and make some for you and your son with the rest. And she did. letting the preacher know exactly what he was asking her to do.

Then the prophet told her what God was going to do. “Your jar of flour will not be spent. And your jug of oil will remain full till the day that God brings rain upon the land.”

What did Jesus tell his first disciples? “Give and it shall be given unto you...pressed down, shaken together, and running over, shall be put into your lap.” Gospel of Luke.

And so it was with that faithful mother. Others would have refused God’s command using her suffering son as her excuse. But not this woman, she obeyed her Lord and trusted God to take care of her and her son. Amen and Amen.

Thank you, dear widow, of Zarephath, your faith, has inspired my own once again.

And thank You Jesus, for being the faithful Son. Who died and rose again to save my soul, both for now and forever. Praise Your Name!

Have a great day.