1 Kings 17:8-24

When Jesus visited His hometown of Nazareth and taught in the synagogue, He told them:

“You will surely say this proverb to Me, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in Your country.’” Then He said, “Assuredly, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own country. But I tell you truly, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a great famine throughout all the land; but to none of them was Elijah sent except to Zarephath, in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.” (Luke 4:23–26, NKJV)

Today we hear the story of Elijah and this widow of Zarephath. Of all the people to whom the LORD could have sent Elijah during the famine, He sent him to a Phoenician Gentile. When Elijah first met her, she was gathering sticks to make one last meal for her and her son before they died of hunger. Elijah told her to make a small cake for him first and then to prepare some for herself and her son. If she would do this, then her flour and oil would never run out until after the LORD sent rain on the earth.

What would you have done?

She did what Elijah said, and there was a continuous supply of flour and oil just as Elijah said. This was a test of the woman’s faith. She believed in the word of the prophet and saved both her and her son.

God will sometimes put us in situations where we can see no solution. We may be tempted to freak out or take matters into our own hands. But God wants us to pray and wait upon Him in faith. Has He not promised to provide for us? These moments are uncomfortable, but they are necessary for our faith to grow stronger.

What situation are you in today that requires greater faith?