Sunday, February 6, 2011

The Trust of a Starving Widow

I've been reading in 1 Kings 17 about the time when there was famine in the land and God was directing Elijah to go stay with a widow... what interests me in this story right now was... who was this widow that God would select her? What kind of person was she that He took notice of her to provide for her during this terrible time of suffering?

The passage says, "I have directed a widow to supply you with food." How did He do that? Was it something direct and audible or was it an inclination in her heart (a lifelong practice) to take care of others before herself? Did God know He could trust her to "do the right thing"?

The first thing she says to Elijah is that she has no bread only a little flour and oil that she is gathering sticks to make her last meal. I wonder what her attitude was? She didn't seem bitter... she actually follows Elijah's instructions and provides something for him to eat... how did she still have hope/faith that his words would come true? Did she really believe that she would be able to have endless flour and oil... did she think "Well, I have nothing to lose" or was there another thought... something else, something more grounded in trust?

Did she believe in her spirit, in her very being... that it was what she needed to do... to feed this weary traveler from the little she had... barely enough for a last meal for she and her son before they would die? Did this come from a lifetime of practicing to sacrifice for the sake of others? Did she trust in his promises? Believe that his words were from God for her? Did she hope this was His hand providing for her?

Was this the attitude of her heart that God entrusted her with the care of Elijah? Did He even need to speak to her directly or did He simply know that He could count on her to live vulnerably and pour out for others?

What kind of woman was this? Is it possible for me to live in such a way that God could entrust His plans and His people to me as well?





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