The Widow of Zarephath

Bible Reading: 1 Kings 17:1-16  

Prophet Elijah proclaimed to King Ahab, "As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years except at my word" (1 Kings 17:1) and famine engulfed the lands.  When it grew worse, the Lord sent Elijah to a widow in Zarephath.  Jesus talks about this incident in Luke 4:25,26.  Jesus pointed out that God sent Elijah to the widow in Zarephath and not to the widows in Israel.   

We can learn a beautiful lesson from the life of this poor widow.  

When Elijah came to the city gate, he saw the widow gathering sticks.  Elijah called her and first asked for a little water to drink.  As the widow turned to get water, Elijah asked her to make a small cake for him first.  She said that she had no bread except a little flour in the bin and a little oil in the jar.  We all know the story.  As Elijah had asked her, she finally made a small cake for him!    

Remember, it was a time of famine, and food was scarce.  The widow did not protest or say she had nothing to spare.  What touched me about her life is her truthfulness.  And she was abundantly blessed by God!    

The widow was honest and truthful in admitting the little blessing that she had amidst all her trials.  She had a little water, a little flour, and a little oil!  Some others in Zarephath might not have had even that.  When she truthfully acknowledged her blessing and was willing to share it with another, she was able to experience the great deliverance of the Lord!  

If we had been in that position, we would have just complained and said we did not have anything to spare.  We are famous for negative confessions.  We always say, 'Oh I have no money!  or I don't have this or I don't have that'.  We are always so focused on the blessings that we lack that we forget the blessings we have!  

The negative confessions from our very lips are the ones that block the deliverance and the blessings that we so long for!  

My friend, truthfulness and thankfulness are both very important to God.  The Psalmist says, "Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts" ( Psalm 51: 6).  Ephesians 6:14 advises us to gird our waist with truth.  Let us practice truthfulness and thankfulness as a lifestyle, not only during the Lenten season but every day of our lives.  

Prayer:  Lord Jesus, give me a grateful heart and the honesty to admit and share the blessings You have given me.  Amen.