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Elijah and the Widow

By: Alan Harvey

Posted: February 11, 2019

Category: Daily Devotional

I Kings 17:8-16

Today we meet a prophet of God, a man named Elijah, and a widow who has one son. God sent Elijah from his home to a new town. Elijah is told that this woman will feed him and that he/they will see a miracle unfold.

This new town had a long spell of dry weather. The blazing sun and the shortage of water had made food a precious commodity. When Elijah reached the new town, he was parched. He saw a woman and wondered if she was the woman about whom God had spoken. Elijah then asked the woman for a drink of water. The woman hastened to fetch the prophet some water.

Once his thirst was slaked, Elijah felt his hunger. He then asked the woman if she would bring him some bread. The widow’s countenance fell. She admitted that she had no bread to give him. She was sad that she could not extend hospitality to him. She then admitted that she prepared to take the last measure of flour and some oil to make some bread, which would surely be the last meal she and her son would eat. The widow cried.

 “’Dry your tears,’ Elijah said. ‘God will make a miracle for you. Bake the bread and share it with me. God promises that your flour and your oil will not run out.’”

 The widow followed Elijah’s instructions. Her jar of flour and her jug of oil made plenty of food for Elijah, the widow and her son. God kept His promise and it was a miracle.

Prayer

Eternal God, throughout life we are invited to trust You even when we are tempted not to do so. As we see in this lesson, You do work miracles. Help us to show hospitality to others and to trust You always, knowing that You will not disappoint us. In Christ’s name, we pray. Amen.

~ Alan Harvey