Provision and Blessing

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Read 1 Kings 17

God instructs Elijah to go to Zarephath where he will find a widow who will provide for him.
Elijah again obeys, but when he arrives and asks for provisions, he finds out she has nothing to give. One jar of flour, nearly empty. Just a drop of oil in the jug. Her plan? To bake one last loaf and prepare to die of starvation.
 One with less faith than Elijah may have rolled his eyes and moved on, questioning God all the while. This is your provision? Wouldn’t it have made more sense to send me to someone rich who had plenty of extra?
But that is not Elijah’s response. Trusting in God’s plan, he offered reassurance and comfort to the widow. He instructed her to go ahead and be hospitable and generous, and that this selfless action would provide for her and her son as well. (17:13-14)
Both were obedient to God’s plan. Both helped each other. In their actions, both stopped focusing on their own needs and focused on the other. In the process, both had needs met through God’s miraculous intervention. In fact, by sharing her last food with a stranger, the widow actually saved her son’s life. Not only were they saved from starvation, but when the son became severely ill, Elijah prayed for God’s healing and restored his life.

There is always blessing in ministering to others, even in the midst of our own need or pain.

What small step could you take to reach out to someone else at this time?
Ask God to show you the person He wants you to serve. Ask for God’s strength help you do it even if you are feeling stretched and in need yourself.

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