“Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee” (1 Kings 17:9).
TEXT — 1 Kings 17:8-16
Message
Famine in human history is ancient and recurrent. Abraham, with his son and grandson, Isaac and Jacob respectively, had their own experiences of this unpleasant situation. However, the fact is that God gave each of them victory.
The text reveals another episode of famine in the land of Israel. The whole nation, including the prophet of God, felt the devastation which this calamity unleashed on the people. The divine providence that brought Elijah the prophet, the widow of Zarephath and her household out of famine is the focus of our reflection this day.
Elijah obeyed God’s instruction that he should go to Zarephath and dwell there for his sustenance. The widow on her part, obeyed with adorable submission, the word and instruction of the prophet to provide him a little cake. And the God of miracle multiplied the meagre flour and oil of the poor woman into a store house of food that sustained them all. “And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah and she and he (Elijah) and her house, did eat many days”.
Faith in the living God and obedience to His faithful servants will fetch us all our needed miracles in life. Indeed, faith in Christ can enable us soar over all problematic situations. The force and effect of faith in action are quite observable in the lives of trusting saints. Faith fixes all things for us, including food in famine. True! We can all feed fat in famine when we obey God’s word and stay where He has provided for our succour.
Thought for the day
All that we need in life is in Jesus. He satisfies adequately.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
