Recently, I came across an encouraging story in the word for those of us that are struggling in our faith. What a powerful thought do we find in the book of first Kings during this Thanksgiving season.
Elijah was the man, who, when introduced to us in 1 Kings 17, commissioned by God to bring bad news to King Ahab. Imagine being the guy whose first prophetic command from God is to pronounce bad news to the evil King? There was going to be a drought in the land. Yet, the goodness of God would lead Elijah out near the brook at Cherith. There Elijah would drink from the brook and be fed by the ravens. God commanding the ravens to bring Elijah food is a small matter to the God who commanded all the animals to come to Noah and on the ark. This is God’s provision for Elijah. Then the brook dried up and God led Elijah to a city called Zarephath to visit a distressed widow and her son.
There was a widow in Zarephath that wanted to make a meal for her son and herself and then eat and die. She lost her husband and a woman could not provide for her family in those days without a husband. Her demeanor before Elijah was not positive. And if you struggle with anything difficult in life, as I do at times, we can relate. The struggle was real for this poor widow.
At one point she says to Elijah, “As the Lord your God lives…” I pause and wonder why she identifies God as Elijah’s God and not as God of them both? Perhaps she did not have a relationship with the Lord early on in this story and she recognized Him only as Elijah’s God. I think this was the case. Secondly, this widow did not have much to look forward to in life. Her outlook on life appears dismal and God is going to use Elijah to bring hope to her failing heart.
Let’s notice the two way provision in this story. First God tells Elijah to go to the widow and that He has commanded the widow to feed him (I Kings 17:8-16) . Then when Elijah gets there he commands the woman to feed him. The woman obeys even though she has very little herself to eat. God multiplies this nourishment by a divine miracle, similar to Jesus feeding the 5,000, and to where Elijah, the widow, and her son had food enough for many days. Hence, God feeds them both. Obedience on Elijah’s part and obedience on the widow’s part are noticeable in this story and are honored by the Lord.
Is it difficult for God to feed His people? How important is it for His people to listen to His voice and to obey His commands? God sends Elijah to the widow to supply his need-Elijah was hungry. But the widow had a need as well. Elijah did not know that she had a need. All Elijah knew was that he was hungry and that God told him to go to her. Shortly thereafter, the widow’s son dies. She is discouraged all over again, except worse this time. In her anguish she cries out to Elijah. Elijah, in turn cries out to the Lord. Here we see a two way request and dependence upon another for help. She cries to Elijah, and Elijah cries to the Lord.
God, in His abundant mercy and goodness, answers both petitions! Her reaction is one of belief and amazement. She says to Elijah after God raises her son from the dead, “Now I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is truth” (1 Kings 17:24) .
While she should have known before the miracle, she does believe after the miracle. The very reason God performs miracles is to display His glory and often times in displaying His glory He saves His people. Notice the widow now refers to God as the Lord and not as Elijah’s Lord? Hardly, coincidental. The widow has been been blessed by God with saving faith. God demonstrates with great grace that He alone is good and resurrects the dead. He alone provides our food and clothing. He alone is worthy of our worship. God alone is Holy. Give thanks to the Lord!
I believe this woman is spoken of later in the New Testament in Hebrews 11:35 (a) when he says, “Women received back their dead by resurrection.” She is not mentioned by name in Hebrews, but is unquestionably cited in the hall of faith of Hebrews 11:35. This woman fed God’s prophet and God’s prophet fed her.
This story is an example of the goodness of God impacting the lives of people. This woman was a societal outcast. But God had mercy on her and performed wondrous goodness in her life. She realized that she had much to be thankful for.
How about you? How have you seen and experienced the goodness of God in your life this Thanksgiving?
Wisdom Walk 