During the draught, God commanded Elijah to go to Zarephath when the brook also dried out (1 Kings 17:7-16).
So the Lord sent Elijah to a widow in Zarephath to ask for some bread. The widow only had enough bread to make one more loaf for her and her son, and then she was going to die. Elijah told her to not be afraid, that God would provide food for them until the rain would return. He then asked her again to make bread for him first, then one for themselves.
Because the widow was faithful to the Lord, she obeyed. And God kept His promise by making sure that the flour and oil never ran out.
It is easy for us to help when it doesn’t cost us anything. It’s a lot harder to help someone in need when you are not much better off than them. The story of Elijah and the widow teaches us to trust that God is going to help us make up the difference when we are called to help someone.
Sunday, 4 May 2025