A Strange Request Full of Promise

In the story that I shared yesterday about the widow and Elijah I noticed that their meeting began with what seemed like an unusual request. The woman was about to prepare her last meal before she and her son would die due to the famine in the land.

When she met Elijah he asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.”

After she explained that she had barely enough to make a small meal her and her son, Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son.”

At first that seemed like a strange thing to ask her especially when she had just explained that she didn’t have enough. But digging deeper we see that Elijah was standing before her as God’s representative and that he was telling her to put God first.

Matthew 6:31-34 reads, “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.  But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

When we are prepared to give God the first place in our lives, we can be confident that our provision is guaranteed. Just like Elijah we can rest on the word of the Lord. Faith is simply taking God at His word. And because Elijah trusted in the word of the Lord he was able to tell this woman that because God had said He would provide, He would provide.

Notice the encouraging word to her in 1 Kings 17:13, “Don’t be afraid!” The Lord says that to us over and over again. My Beloved….Don’t be afraid! That same strange request is made of us as believers too. Seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well. I encourage you to step out in faith and experience His promises that are sure to follow.

My Prayer

Father thank you for opening Your word to me. I love when I discover little nuggets of understanding which make the word come alive. Help us to take You at Your word and step out in faith to seek You first. I know You will always provide everything we will ever need. Thank you Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Where does my help come from?

Matthew 6:31-34

“So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.