Hello Sweet friends,
Today’s Reading … 2 Chronicles 10-17 and 1 Kings 15-19
There is a profound contrast in our reading today when we compare the story of the widow and her son with the story of the challenge on Mount Carmel.
When Elijah asks the widow for bread she replies, “As the Lord your God lives, I have no bread, only a handful of flour in the bowl and a little oil in the jar…” (1 Kings 17:12). Do you have those moments? You are at the end of all of your resources; physical, emotional and mental, when someone asks for one more thing. That can easily be the breaking point-the hiding under my covers, waiting for the world to go away-breaking point! Not for this widow, she is faithful to serve Elijah out of the little that she has and is rewarded with the blessing of witnessing the faithfulness of God. “The bowl of flour was not exhausted nor did the jar of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord which He spoke through Elijah”( 1 Kings 17:16). The widow did nothing to increase what she had, she only acted in humble obedience and the Lord provided. When we are at the end of our rope, we can follow her example. The next time someone needs a meal when I am tired of cooking, a listening ear when I am emotionally tapped out or a little extra patience when my quotient for the day is used up, I will stop, pray and ask the Lord to refill my “jar of oil.” He will be faithful to do this as I am faithful to run towards God in the practice of serving others.
In contrast, we see “all the sons of Israel” living with divided hearts and putting earthly pleasures and desires before God. “Elijah came near to all the people and said, ‘How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.’ But the people did not answer him a word” (1 Kings 18:21). When we are running from God, and someone confronts us, we rarely answer the question. Popular techniques of escaping the conversation might be; defensiveness, avoidance or denial. If you catch yourself in one of these behaviors, it is time for a gut check on whether you are running towards or away from God.
Elijah will not be ignored and challenges the gods of Baal to a stand off with the One True God. Baal, of course is powerless and does not come through. God, in His power is unfailing in His faithfulness towards Elijah. The interesting point here, is the way that the people cry out to the false gods. “So they cried with a loud voice and cut themselves according to their custom with swords and lances until the blood gushed out on them” (1 Kings 18:28). This is one of the problems with false gods, they require our blood and pain and are still unable to provide what we need. Our false gods, the things that we cry out to, even bleed for-might be control, beauty, acceptance, success-we cry and beg but they cannot provide for our souls. They are powerless to do so.
The widow did not have to bleed or beg God to provide for her, His loving-kindness pours out on those who call to Him. The Israelites on Mount Carmel cried out to the false gods who were powerless to help them gain what they desperately needed. Who are you calling in your time of need? Who are you running towards? Is it the false gods of this life? They will leave you bleeding and broken. Run, instead into the faithful arms of Jehovah-Jireh-, the Lord who provides. He will not fail you and will never leave you empty.
Love you all,
Kinsee
so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return empty, but accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it”(Isaiah 55:11).
