Need, Day 4

I think God sees beyond our basic needs of food and shelter.

On Monday, I used the scripture in 1 Kings about Elijah and the Widow of Zarephath. At first we see the way God provides for His faithful servant Elijah and a starving woman and her son. The portion of this that always gets my attention is the widows sorrow. She first tells Elijah that she is going to make the last bread with her flour and oil and die. While picking up sticks, she is planning her death.

The widow agreed to take Elijah in her home and feed him. Then, her son dies. Overwhelmed with despair, she tells Elijah "What do I have to do with you, O man of God? You have come to me to bring my iniquity to remembrance and to put my son to death!" (v 18). Elijah then takes her son upstairs and pleads to God to heal the woman's son.

There are many things in this life that bring us despair. The widow is starving but more than that, she had lost hope. She couldn't see beyond the heaviness of her current situation. Elijah was faithful to God's commands and met the widow right where she was at. Elijah needed food and God used that to restore a woman back into faith and hope. God can use us in the depths of our needs. Starving, but honorable, Elijah trusted God. Because of his faith, God was exalted. Elijah became a man know to speak Truth.

1 Kings 17:24 Then the woman said to Elijah, "Now I know that you are a man of God and that the word of the LORD in your mouth is truth."

Happy Birthday to Kelly H in Washington. Please continue to pray for Connie W. Please send in your payer and praise requests. I will be posting Fridays devo very early because we are planning on going hiking (yeah!!) in the morning. If you are a little late sending in your request, simply go straight to the blog on Friday morning and you can add it right to the comments for Fridays devo. We love you all very much and appreciate the opportunity to share in God's blessings and be in prayer with you during your time of need.