As we finish another week in this COVID-19 crisis your world may seem even more upended than last week. Are you wondering how you will have enough to last until normal life resumes? Sometimes I catch myself holding onto what I have with both hands; afraid to give it away. But I don’t have to because God supernaturally provides to those who radically obey.
What do I mean by radically obedient? Doing what God calls me to do, even though it seems very risky or even impossible.
Maybe you feel like that right now.
A Woman Who Radically Obeyed
There is a story in the Bible in 1 Kings 17:7-16 of a poor widow who did just that. You can read it here. I’ll give you a quick summary. The story takes place during a drought and famine in Israel. Elijah, a prophet is in hiding. God has been supernaturally providing him with food and water. But now He is telling Elijah to move. To a Gentile land, Zarephath. He is to go to a widow who God has commanded to give food to Elijah.
The Bible does not tell the prophet’s thoughts. But I wonder if this was out of his comfort zone. The area may not be friendly to him and in those times, widows were usually poor. Would she be able to help?
Are you out of your comfort zone right now? If so, you are not alone. (I sense a lot of head nodding.)
What we do know in this story is that Elijah was obedient: he went. When he got there, he met the widow at the city gate. He asked her for some water and a piece of bread.
Verse 12 tells us her situation:
“As surely as the LORD your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.” 1 Kings 17:12 (NIV)
This seems like an impossible request. Her resources were nearly exhausted. Do you feel like that now? That you are being stretched so tightly you’re not sure how much longer you can carry on.
This week I did. I was feeling impatient as I adjusted to home offices taking over our house, computer issues and just getting used to a new way of doing things. Then I was asked to help someone with a problem that would take a lot of patience, and time, to solve. (Without being cranky😊)
God Supernaturally Provides
Well back to our story. Elijah persisted. He told the widow not to be afraid. Then he instructed her to go home and first make a loaf of bread for him, from what she had. And bring it to him. Then she should make something for herself and her family.
Honestly, I am not sure that obedience would be the first thing to spring to my mind in this situation.
But then he gave her this promise.
“For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘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: 14 NIV
And she obeyed. She went away and did what he had said. Even though it may have seemed impossible.
And the result?
“So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. 16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah.” 1 Kings 17:16b (NIV)
She saw blessings. God supernaturally provided. The widow and her son did not die of starvation. They witnessed a miracle. When Elijah arrived there had only been enough flour and oil for one meal for two!
And she and her son were able to spend time with one of God’s prophets. Imagine what they learned!
Does God Still Supernaturally Provide?
My situation was much less dire. But I was not sure I could help at all. I was afraid the effort would deplete me. However, I obeyed. I used what I had, and God supernaturally provided.
Although I am not tech-savvy, I was able to solve the problem and explain what I had done in a way that made sense. ( Bonus: calmness prevailed. 😊 )
I was blessed with a sense of accomplishment and joy knowing that I had helped a friend. And during this time of social isolation, those blessings were huge!
In case you missed it, you can read more about God’s grace-filled provision in everyday life here.
God will ask you to do impossible things. Maybe to pray for someone when you are so tired you just want to sleep. Or perhaps to take food to a friend when your supply is running low. Or even as my friend Suzi, who obeyed and gave take toilet paper (one of the scarcest of our supplies right now) to a neighbor.
But, there is great news, God will supernaturally provide as you step out of your comfort zone, and radically obey. And I believe you will find a blessing in the provision.
May you hear His call to action. And may you radically obey trusting in His supernatural provision. And may you enjoy every second. 😊