A Widow Who Was Running On Empty

Welcome to WCP, although that's always awkward to say, because I'm sure we'd rather not meet this way if you're widowed. However, I am glad you're here and hope you'll find some benefit. Wednesday is the day for widows' stories, whether they come from history, the Bible or among ourselves. Today we're looking at a widow in the Old Testament.

I Kings 17:7-16 "The Widow of Zarephath"
 

Did you ever hear of Zarephath? It was a coastal village north of Israel, in ancient Phoenicia. This widow wasn't an Israelite; she lived in the heart of idol worship country but by her works we know she trusted in the Lord Jehovah.
 

During a drought the prophet Elijah came through her town and said “Feed me before you use the last of your food for yourself and your son.” Instead of saying, "What? Are you crazy? I can't let us starve to death! Hit the road!" by faith she used the last of her ingredients to bake him a little cake of bread.
 

After that, oddly enough, she found enough ingredients to make some more for her son and herself. They'd live another day. Day after day she’d bake more bread to feed Elijah, herself and her son. She would use the last of her reserves and resources every day, but with each new day there was always more. Always enough.

Do you use up the last of your reserves every day? When you go to bed each night are you running on empty? So was this widow. But each new day brought her what she needed to survive. Her little bit of trust in God was renewed each day. God always provided just enough.

I think this widow would agree with Lamentations 3:22, 23 which says, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness!" Day after day God provides for us day by day, and sometimes we can't see any further than that. It's not always more than we need, but we can be thankful it's never less than we need.

♥ ferree