Faith and Provision: Lessons from the Widow of Zarephath

Devotional

Day 1: God Provides in Unexpected Places

Even when life leads you into unfamiliar or even hostile territory, God is able to sustain and provide for you in ways you may not expect. Elijah was sent from the comfort of Kareth, where he was fed by ravens and refreshed by a brook, to Zarephath, the very hometown of his enemy, yet God’s provision did not fail him. Sometimes, God moves you from a place of comfort to a place of challenge, not to harm you, but to show you that His power and provision are not limited by your circumstances. Trust that your present location is not your final destination, and that God can give you victory even in the most unlikely places. [13:48]

1 Kings 17:8-9 (ESV)
Then the word of the Lord came to him, “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you.”

Reflection: Where in your life is God calling you to trust Him outside your comfort zone, and how can you take a step of faith into that place today?

Day 2: Use What You Have—God Has Given You Enough

You may feel like you lack what is needed to face your challenges, but God has already placed in your hands the raw materials for obedience and blessing. The widow at Zarephath believed she had nothing but a handful of meal and a little oil, yet God used her willingness and creativity to provide for her, her son, and Elijah. Don’t focus on what you lack; instead, look at what God has already given you, and trust that He can multiply it when you offer it in faith. [19:53]

1 Kings 17:12-14 (ESV)
And she said, “As the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And now I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.” And Elijah said to her, “Do not fear; go and do as you have said. But first make me a little cake of it and bring it to me, and afterward make something for yourself and your son. For thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘The jar of flour shall not be spent, and the jug of oil shall not be empty, until the day that the Lord sends rain upon the earth.’”

Reflection: What resources, skills, or opportunities has God already placed in your life that you can use creatively for His purposes today?

Day 3: The Blessing of Putting God First

When you put God first in your life—whether in your time, your talents, or your treasure—He promises to provide for your needs. The widow was challenged to make a cake for Elijah first, even in her scarcity, and in doing so, she experienced God’s sustaining provision. This is the principle of tithing and prioritizing God: when you give to Him first, you open the door for His blessings to flow into every area of your life. [23:39]

Matthew 6:33 (ESV)
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to put God first today, and what practical step can you take to do so?

Day 4: God’s Provision May Not Be Overflowing, But It Will Be Enough

God’s faithfulness does not always mean abundance, but it does mean sufficiency. The widow’s barrel was never full, but it was never empty; God supplied just what was needed, day by day. You may not see an overflow, but you can trust that God will not let you go without. He will put food on your table, strength in your body, and hope in your heart, even if it’s not in the way you expected. [28:35]

Philippians 4:19 (ESV)
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Reflection: Where do you need to trust God for “enough” rather than “abundance,” and how can you thank Him for His daily provision?

Day 5: The Power of a God-First Legacy

The greatest gift you can give your children and those you influence is to model a life that puts God first. Training up a child in the way they should go begins with your own commitment to prioritize God in your home, your decisions, and your daily life. When you put God first, you set a foundation of faith that will guide and sustain the next generation, even when you are not present with them. [32:59]

Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally show those around you—especially the next generation—that God comes first in your life today?

Sermon Summary

Today’s reflection centers on the story of the widow of Zarephath in 1 Kings 17, a mother facing desperate circumstances in the midst of drought and loss. Her story is a testament to the resilience and faith of mothers everywhere, especially those who have had to make a way out of no way. We honor mothers of history and faith—those who have shaped nations, families, and the very fabric of our communities. Their journeys, marked by struggle and perseverance, remind us that life is rarely a “crystal stair,” but God’s sustaining power is ever-present.

The widow’s encounter with Elijah begins with a divine shift. God moves Elijah from a place of comfort and provision to a place of uncertainty and need, teaching us that our current situation, no matter how comfortable, is not always our final destination. Sometimes, God calls us out of comfort to places that challenge us, even enemy territory, to reveal His power to sustain and provide in the most unlikely circumstances.

When Elijah meets the widow, she is gathering sticks, preparing for what she believes will be her last meal. Yet, Elijah’s request for a cake first is not just about provision—it’s about faith, creativity, and the principle of putting God first. The widow only has a handful of meal and a little oil, but God never asks us for what we do not have. Instead, He calls us to use what is already in our hands, to trust Him with our first and our best, and to believe that He will multiply what remains.

The miracle unfolds not in abundance, but in sufficiency. The barrel is never full, but it is never empty. God’s provision is daily, sustaining, and faithful. This is a call to trust God’s process, to give even when resources seem scarce, and to believe that obedience opens the door to ongoing provision. For every mother, every person facing lack or uncertainty, the promise is that God will supply every need as we put Him first.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Direction May Lead Out of Comfort God sometimes calls us to leave places of comfort and familiarity, not to harm us, but to move us toward our true purpose. Our present location, no matter how agreeable, is not always our final destination. Trusting God’s direction, even when it leads into the unknown or uncomfortable, is essential for growth and fulfillment. [10:51]
2. Victory Is Possible in Unlikely Places God can give victory even in “enemy territory”—places where we feel outnumbered, unsupported, or alone. The story of Elijah in Zarephath shows that God’s power is not limited by our environment or the hostility we may face. Faithfulness in difficult places reveals God’s ability to sustain and bless us where we least expect it. [13:48]
3. Use What You Have—Creativity and Faith Go Hand in Hand The widow believed she had nothing to offer, but God had already placed the necessary resources in her hands. Often, what we need is already within our reach, though it may require creativity and faith to see its potential. God’s commands are always accompanied by His provision, even if it comes in raw or unexpected forms. [18:51]
4. The Principle of First—Prioritizing God Unlocks Provision Giving to God first, even when resources are scarce, is an act of trust that positions us for His ongoing provision. The principle of tithing and prioritizing God is not about loss, but about opening ourselves to God’s sustaining grace. When we put God first in our time, talent, and treasure, He ensures that our needs are met, often in ways that defy logic. [22:25]
5. God’s Provision Is Sufficient, Not Always Abundant The miracle in Zarephath was not that the barrel overflowed, but that it never ran empty. God’s provision may not always look like abundance, but it is always enough for each day. Trusting God means recognizing and being grateful for sufficiency, knowing that He will never let us go without what we truly need. [28:35]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:10] - Setting the Context: 1 Kings 17
[03:26] - The Hard Road of Motherhood
[04:49] - Honoring Mothers in History and Faith
[06:01] - The Widow’s Struggle and Our Own
[08:52] - Elijah’s Shift from Comfort to Challenge
[10:51] - When God Moves You from Good to Greater
[12:40] - God’s Strange Directions
[13:48] - Victory in Enemy Territory
[15:47] - The Widow’s Brokenness and God’s Plan
[17:05] - A Strategic Connection at Zarephath
[18:51] - Creativity and Faith in Scarcity
[22:25] - The Principle of First: Tithing and Trust
[26:22] - God’s Plan for Sustained Provision
[28:35] - The Miracle of Sufficiency
[30:39] - Prayer for Single Mothers
[32:59] - Testimony: Putting God First
[34:10] - Closing Prayer and Encouragement
[36:09] - Invitation to Salvation and Church Family

Bible Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: “How This Mama Made It”

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### Bible Reading

1 Kings 17:8-16
(Consider reading all of 1 Kings 17 for context.)

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### Observation Questions

When God told Elijah to leave Kareth and go to Zarephath, what was the situation in both places? What was Elijah leaving behind, and what was he heading into? [[08:52]]
What did the widow of Zarephath have left when Elijah met her? What was she planning to do with it? [[02:06]]
What specific request did Elijah make of the widow, and how did she respond? [[17:56]]
After the widow obeyed Elijah’s instructions, what happened to her supply of meal and oil? [[27:28]]

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### Interpretation Questions

Why do you think God sometimes calls people to leave places of comfort and go into situations that seem risky or uncomfortable? What might God be trying to teach through these shifts? [[10:51]]
The widow believed she had nothing to offer, yet Elijah pointed out she had enough to act in faith. What does this suggest about how God views our resources and abilities? [[18:51]]
Elijah asked the widow to give to him first, even though she had very little. What does this reveal about the principle of putting God first, especially when resources are scarce? [[22:25]]
The miracle was not that the barrel overflowed, but that it never ran empty. What does this teach about the nature of God’s provision? [[28:35]]

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### Application Questions

Can you think of a time when God moved you out of a comfortable situation into something unknown or challenging? How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [[10:51]]
The sermon talked about “victory in enemy territory.” Are there places in your life right now where you feel outnumbered, unsupported, or alone? How might God be working in those places? [[13:48]]
The widow had to use what she already had, even though it seemed small. What is something in your life that you have overlooked or underestimated, but that God might want to use? [[18:51]]
When resources are tight—whether time, money, or energy—what does it look like for you to put God first? Is there an area where you struggle to trust God with your “first and best”? [[22:25]]
The miracle in the story was daily sufficiency, not abundance. How do you typically respond when God provides “just enough” rather than “more than enough”? Does this affect your gratitude or trust? [[28:35]]
The pastor shared about being raised by a single mother who put God first in everything. If you are a parent, what are some practical ways you can model putting God first for your children? If you’re not a parent, how can you encourage or support someone who is? [[31:48]]
The widow’s obedience opened the door to ongoing provision. Is there an area in your life where God is calling you to take a step of obedience, even if it doesn’t make sense? What might that step look like this week? [[24:49]]

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Closing Encouragement:
Remember, God’s provision may not always look like abundance, but He promises it will be enough. As you discuss and pray together, encourage one another to trust God’s process and to use what He has already placed in your hands.

Sermon Clips

Motherhood can be challenging. Motherhood has times of struggle and strain. Sometimes it's tough being a mother. Sometimes you wonder how you're gonna make it. That's what's going on in First King 17. This is a mother who's struggling because her husband has died and she has a son and she has little money. [00:07:05]

Her man has died and she's left with a son and now she has to face a dim reality because of depleted resources and dead relationships and now she's figuring out trying to figure out how she's gonna make it, she's just trying to figure out how she's gonna survive and thrive. [00:07:44]

How is it that this mama made it? Because the fact of the matter is I'm looking at somebody, mother or no mother, you trying to make it. Maybe it's some financial situation you're trying to make it through, maybe it's some physical issue, some health matter, but everybody, anytime you have this many people in the room, somebody's struggling trying to figure out how they're gonna make it. [00:08:08]

There are times that God will tell you to move even from a good place. Even from a comfortable place. Even from a place that you find favorable not to hurt you but to get you to where he's trying to get you to go. [00:11:38]

Your present location is not necessarily your final destination. Where you are may be good. Where you are may be comfortable. But where you are now, your present location may not be your final destination. [00:11:00]

Sometimes God wants to shift you even from a comfortable place. Two years ago, you got that job and you were just thankful to get a job. But now you discover that job is dead end. You're not growing at that job. And so now you're looking for a variance because your present location is not necessarily your final destination. [00:11:16]

You are so enamored and so impressed with where you are, but God may have a final destination for you and you're about to miss your connection because you don't understand that your present location is not necessarily your final destination. [00:12:41]

Sometimes God wants to show you that he can give you victory in an unusual place. Sometimes God sends you to a place that's enemy territory to show you he can give you victory in an unusual place. [00:00:00]

Can you win when things aren't going well? I know you can win when everybody likes you. I know you can win when you're the life of the party. I know you can win when everybody's supporting you, but can you win in a hostile environment? [00:15:49]

When God gives you a command, he's never going to give you a command to do something without also giving you the resources and materials you need to get it done. [00:19:20]

God always gives us in raw form what we need to accomplish what it is he wants us to do. So, mama, you don't have a cake, but you do have some sticks in your hand. You do have some meal in your house. You do have some knowledge in your head. [00:19:56]

When God asks you to give, God is trying to position you in a place that he can sustain you, help you, and provide for you because there's no way you can give to the minister or the ministry and you not be blessed. [00:21:56]

When you tithe, you give him first because he's priority. And, here's what mama needs to understand. Now, she's wavering between should you do it or not. But you got to understand, mama, when God allows you and includes you and expects for you to give to the minister or the ministry, to the preacher and the plan of God, it's always a plan for life. [00:23:39]

Are you gonna consume what you have yourself? Are you gonna trust God after you give it first and trust him to supply? Oh, I wish you would wake up and understand what I'm trying to say. Trust him to supply what you need. [00:24:30]

If there's a first, there's a second. He didn't say, bring me a cake only. He said, bring me a cake. Somebody gets it. He said, bring me a cake first. Because if there's a first, there's going to be a second. If there's a second, there's going to be a third. [00:26:07]

The plan that he has for you is to sustain you over and over and over and over and over again. All he said is bring God his, Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these other things will be added unto you. [00:26:36]

She did it. She brought the man of God a cake first. And the Bible says that the meal never left the barrel and the oil never left the cruise. She did it. She said, I don't quite understand what you're saying, preacher, but I'm going to trust you. [00:27:21]

The barrel wasn't ever full, but it wasn't empty. Your bank account may not be full, but guess what? It may not be full, but I promise you it won't be empty. It may not be full, but I promise you he'll get put food on your table. [00:00:00]

I'm a product of a mother who put God first. A product of a mother that kept her son in church, that brought God in the home, in her house, not just God's house, but in her house, made it a priority that whatever you do, put God first. [00:00:00]

Put God first. Whatever it is in your time, in your talent, in your treasure, in your skill, in your money, because God has a way of blessing when you put him first. [00:32:54]

God is good. God is a restorer. God will do it. God will do it for you. God will do it for you. [00:34:10]

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