Elijah and the Widow: Learning to Trust
Scripture Reading — 1 Kings 17:7-16
“Don’t be afraid. . . . But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son.”
The widow of Zarephath was preparing to make her last meal. A drought had caused a severe famine, and she was out of food. Unable to feed her family, she was not looking to give the prophet her last piece of bread. Rather, despair was on her agenda: We are going to eat this last bread and then die.
Elijah asked her for the one thing she didn’t think she could spare. Giving up her last resource, she could only lean on God. In this desperate moment she was pushed beyond her very limits to endure.
She was out of food and without any options, but God was ready to work a miracle. What she needed was to trust God enough to be obedient.
Are we confident that God is in charge and trusting him to work out the best plan for us?
Godly mentors develop a relationship of trust and stretch us in our obedience to God. God challenges us to move beyond our expectations and imaginings and to respond in obedience to the calling he has placed on our lives.
Where are we placing our trust? Are we helping others to stretch in new ways? How willing are we to stretch and be stretched? Is God alone really our only comfort in life and in death?
Lord, give us the courage to trust you as you move us outside of our comfort zone. May we help others to trust you and to follow boldly where you lead. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
About the author — Steven and Deb Koster
Steven and Deb Koster have a passion for marriages, families, and spiritual growth in the home. Both are ordained ministers in the Christian Reformed Church in North America. Steven formerly served as editor of Today and director of ReFrame's English-language outreach. Deb leads Family Fire, ReFrame’s family ministry at FamilyFire.com and on Facebook. The Kosters have three children.
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