Morning
Verse
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And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah. ” 1 Kings 17:16
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Reflection
During a time of severe famine, God instructed the prophet Elijah to go to Zarephath, a town in the region of Sidon, where a widow would provide for him. Upon arriving, Elijah saw the widow gathering sticks and asked her for a drink of water. As she went to get it, he called out to her again, asking for a piece of bread. The widow replied with a heartbreaking confession: she had only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. She was preparing to use the last of her supplies to make a small meal for herself and her son, after which she expected they would have nothing left and would die of starvation (1 Kings 17:10-12).
Despite her dire situation, Elijah asked her to act in faith. He instructed her to first make a small loaf for him and then prepare something for herself and her son, assuring her that the Lord, the God of Israel, had promised: “The jar of flour will not be used up, and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land” (1 Kings 17:13-14).
Remarkably, the widow trusted Elijah’s words, demonstrating incredible faith and obedience. She made the bread for Elijah, and just as he had promised, the flour and oil miraculously continued to supply her household, sustaining them throughout the famine (1 Kings 17:15-16).
At its core, the story of the widow of Zarephath teaches us that God sees and cares for those who are in need. He sent Elijah to her not only to sustain the prophet but also to bless and sustain the widow and her son. This act of sharing wasn’t just about meeting physical needs; it was about building faith. The widow had to trust in something greater than herself, and God rewarded that trust with a continuous provision that defied logic and scarcity.
The story also serves as a reminder that God’s provision doesn’t always come in abundance, but it is sufficient. The flour and oil did not overflow, but they never ran out. Each day brought just enough for their needs, emphasizing that God’s grace meets us where we are and provides exactly what we need for the moment. This encourages us to trust God’s timing and provision, even when it seems we have very little to offer.
The Greek word "dorea" means gift and is closely tied to the concept of grace. In the New Testament, sharing grace is a direct response to God's generosity. It is also an extension of His character through us. The early church in Acts embodied this grace by living communally and sharing everything they had with one another. This radical generosity was counter-cultural in the Roman world, where wealth and resources were tightly guarded. The grace of sharing became a defining characteristic of the early Christian community, setting them apart from the world around them. In the Old Testament, sharing grace can be seen in the laws of gleaning, where landowners were instructed to leave the edges of their fields for the poor and the foreigner (Leviticus 19:9-10). This act of grace allowed those in need to receive provision without feeling shame. It was an early form of social justice that reflected God's heart for the vulnerable and marginalized. Throughout Scripture, the theme of sharing is connected to grace, reminding us that what we have is not ours to keep but to give for the benefit of others. The New Testament elevates this idea by showing that sharing grace grants material wealth to sometimes have a lifestyle of generosity. Whether through hospitality, service, or financial support, sharing grace reflects the heart of God, who is always giving. This grace is a reminder that we are stewards, not owners, of the blessings God has entrusted to us.
Evening
Verse
Sunday, Nov 17
Today's Theme: Faith
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For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. ” Jeremiah 29:11
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Intepretation of the Verse
In the book of Jeremiah, the prophet Jeremiah is speaking to the Israelites at a time of great despair. They were exiled, living in Babylon, far from their homeland. Jeremiah's words were meant to offer hope and assurance during this period of upheaval. His message was not just for their immediate comfort but also to give them a perspective of a hopeful future planned by God.
This passage in Jeremiah speaks directly to the heart of encouragement, especially in the face of uncertainty and difficulty. It's a reminder that even when our current circumstances seem bleak or disheartening, there is a broader plan for good, for hope, and for a future. This can be particularly resonant for us when we face our own periods of doubt or when our path seems unclear. It's a call to trust in a greater plan that we might not fully understand yet.
