A FANTASTIC PROMISE

I Kings 17:12-14 “And she said, As the LORD thy God liveth, I have not a cake, but an handful of meal in a barrel, and a little oil in a cruse: and, behold, I am gathering two sticks, that I may go in and dress it for me and my son, that we may eat it, and die. And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.”

In last week’s “Challenging Concepts” we notice the command, challenge and comfort Elijah received in coming to Zarephath. In this Gentile city, Elijah has been told that he is to be sustained by “the” widow that he will meet. As he enters this heathen town, he indeed does meet “the” widow and Elijah learns that he can trust God to meet his needs through unusual means.

But it’s not only Elijah that will learn a lesson at this point in our study. “The” widow will also learn that obedience to the will of God will result in blessings for her and her son.

What happens with this precious lady can be related too by many of us as she reacts naturally and then steps out on faith and watches God do something very miraculous.

1. THERE IS DOUBT

When this widow is asked for some bread, all of a sudden you sense that she might be a little afraid. According to verse 9 God had already commanded her to meet the need of His prophet, but now she seemed to have a lack of faith. Why is this? It’s usually because a person has his eyes on the circumstance instead of on God who controls the circumstance. She also has a need, and has also concluded that there is no way she can survive.

Too many of God's people live in the same place in their lives. They look at the problems and needs, and also come to the conclusion their circumstance is hopeless. A child of God is not to look at the problem but at the Provider. There is no doubt about the fact that Elijah was set to Zarephath for his benefit, but he was also sent there for the benefit of “the” widow. God is also in the process of teaching her to trust Him.

You and I need to ask ourselves if we're trapped in doubt. Does it seem as if the circumstance we are in today is hopeless? If that is so in our lives, then we need to get our eyes beyond the problem to the problem solver. Notice what is written in Hebrews 12:1-2, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

We are all in a race and we’re to lay aside anything and everything that hinders us from running that race, even our lack of faith and doubt.

God will supply. We read in Matthew 6:25, 31-34, “Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? . . . . . Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

When we doubt, we’re saying that God is not able to do what He’s said He’ll do. Is He God or not? When we doubt we’re saying that our God is dead. God is very much alive, and He's in control of all circumstances and will supply all our needs.

Real Faith Knows That God Is Greater Than What The Eye Can See.

At this point, the widow has a heart problem. Remember, Stewardship is a matter of the heart.

2. THERE IS A DEMAND

Notice verses 13-14, “And Elijah said unto her, Fear not; go and do as thou hast said: but make me thereof a little cake first, and bring it unto me, and after make for thee and for thy son. For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.”

I can hear the natural man say that this sounds pretty cold. When you realize the widow doesn't have much but is demanded to make a cake for the preacher, that sounds very selfish. But in reality, it’s a plea for faith and surrender to the will of God.

I’ve heard people say that a person who only lives on social security shouldn’t be expected to tithe. I say that person must tithe because they need God’s blessings on their life. Giving a tithe back to God is a step of faith.

Let’s analyze the demand:

a. Notice the Encouragement – “fear not”

The man of God speaks words of comfort. He is assuring her that she can put her trust in God. David wrote in Psalm 7:1 “O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust. . .”

God expects the child of God to demonstrate faith at all times. We read in Hebrews 10:38 “Now the just shall live by faith:. . .” God’s character is absolutely trustworthy.

b. Notice the Enlightenment – “thus saith the Lord God of Israel”

Here is a direct word from God. God has promised to take care of her. The promise is that if she will give as directed, then God will meet her need.

The promise includes details. Look at verse 14, “. . . The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth.” God is giving this widow notice that she’s about to be the focus of a miracle that’s designed especially to meet the need of one of His servants, but also to build her faith for the future. She’s about to see a manifestation of the power of Almighty God.

Now, let me remind us, God often calls on us with demands that are difficult to understand. They may be hard for us to reason, but when God’s demands are accompanied with His clear promise, we need to have no fear or hesitation. We need to respond immediately in faith.

Being faithful in the area of stewardship is not something to fear, question or delay. God’s command to tithe is clearly accompanied by the promise that He will supply all our needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus.

3. THERE IS A DECISION

Notice verse 15 “And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days.”

When the widow heard the word of God, she obeyed. Using the last bite in the house was not easy to do. Giving that last bite to a total stranger was hard.

Total obedience from the heart is the place that God wants all of us to be. Regardless of how things look outwardly, He wants our heart to respond with total obedience. God wants us to get to the place in our lives where we’re willing to give it all, if He asks us to do so.

Are we at that point? Can we do that?

Next week we’re going to explore how God fulfills His promise to the faith of this dear lady! We’ll try to challenge each person to try God and see if He will not pour out blessings far beyond our expectations.

That’s my view; how about you?