September 10, 2024
Seek First the Kingdom of God -- Part 2
1 Kings 17:10-11
09/10/2024
10 So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he
came to the gate of the city, behold, a widow was
there gathering sticks. And he called to her and
said, ``Bring me a little water in a vessel, that
I may drink.''
11 And as she was going to bring it, he called to her
and said, ``Bring me a morsel of bread in your
hand.'' (ESV)
During the reign of King Ahab in the northern kingdom of
Israel, around 850 years before the birth of Jesus, God caused a
drought in the land to cause the nation to repent, turn from the
false gods who could not provide for the people, and return to
Him. During the early part of the drought, which lasted three
years, God provided food and water to Elijah in the wilderness.
Later, God instructed Elijah to go to Zarephath where a widow
would care for his needs.
So he arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to
the gate of the city, behold, a widow was there
gathering sticks. And he called to her and said,
``Bring me a little water in a vessel, that I may
drink.'' And as she was going to bring it, he called
to her and said, ``Bring me a morsel of bread in your
hand.''
Elijah did as God directed. Hungry and thirsty, he found
the widow just as God had promised. He made a reasonable request
for water and food.
God does indeed provide our daily bread, that which we need
to sustain this body and life. He works through means, through
people, through the dignity of labor, through the generosity of
friends, family, neighbors, and strangers. Elijah recognized
this, even as he recognized the person through whom God would
provide food and drink.
May our Lord grant that we recognize His rich blessings,
that He strengthen us to serve Him by serving our neighbors.
Amen.