1 Kings 17:7-16
7 Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land.
8 Then the word of the LORD came to him:
9 "Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food."
10 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, "Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?"
11 As she was going to get it, he called, "And bring me, please, a piece of bread."
12 "As surely as the LORD your God lives," she replied, "I don't have any bread--only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it--and die."
13 Elijah said to her, "Don't be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son.
14 For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land.'"
15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family.
16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah.

Let us meditate (M) on some points of the portion of scripture here and talk to ‘Our Father...’

v7-Should the Brook had to dry up? (M)-Did God want to disturb nature? Does he wanted to respect Elijah’s word? Why God did not move the prophet to a better place? (Is it to protect him from enemies, or to share his faith with the widow?) God is not vindictive or hostile to the suffering of Elijah or the widow & her Son. He want them to have more faith/ obedience. He was training them for big miracles.

v8-Why then the word of the Lord came to him? (M)-God talks to his prophet, even though he can speak to anyone, He chose his anointed prophets.

v9-Why ‘go at once’ to this pagan place Zarephath of Sidon to stay; why this pagan widow to supply him food? (M)-Immediate Obedience (‘go at once’)? Israel was under severe curse for 3½years. God command the widow to give Elijah food. Jesus quote this incident to explain God’s mercy (Luke 4:25-26). She said her son will die soon? Will any parent allow their child to die? God, our Father did this difficult thing by giving Jesus on the cross. How does God’s promise to Elijah comfort us in our worries?

v12-Why is She saying, ’the Lord YOUR God’? (M)Being a pagan for these many years, she has not taken Elijah’s God to be her personal saviour yet. If she accepts the true living God as her own God, the blessings would be immeasurable. What worries you? Why?

v13-How come Elijah is giving her the assurance to her life? (M) His faith in God; Elijah didn’t go along with her but told her to go home first. Allowing her own faith to be put into action.

v14-Now why is Elijah telling her about the God of Israel? (M) Sharing his faith to her. How did the widow show faith in God’s promise? What promises does God make for you?

v15-How come there was food for Elijah & her family every single day? (M) she went away confidently & did what Elijah told her. (Obedience). God gave her “manna” from heaven even while he was withholding food for his people.

v16-Where is the ultimate Victory/Joy/Peace? (M) In God’s Word; Faith in His PROMISES. The widow cried, “...the word of the Lord from your mouth is the truth.” She made a confession that the Israelites had failed to make (v24).

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes” in Christ. And so through him the ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 1:20). Our heavenly Father’s promises defeats our worries. Claim them with faith, Amen.

Prayer idea

Meditate on the above questions.