Faith and Provision: Trusting God's Miraculous Abundance
Summary
In today's message, we explored the profound truth that God can do anything, as illustrated through the life of the prophet Elijah in 1 Kings 17. We delved into the story of Elijah's encounter with the widow of Zarephath, a narrative that underscores God's ability to provide and bless beyond our expectations. Elijah, following God's command, went to Zarephath during a time of drought, trusting in God's provision. There, he met a widow who was preparing to use her last bit of flour and oil to make a final meal for herself and her son before they succumbed to starvation. Elijah asked her to first make a small cake for him, promising that God would ensure her supplies would not run out until the drought ended. The widow's obedience to Elijah's request, despite her dire circumstances, resulted in a miraculous provision that sustained her household for many days.
This story is a powerful reminder of the importance of faith and obedience. Elijah's journey to Zarephath was not just about his own survival but also about being a conduit of God's blessing to others. The widow's willingness to trust and act on the word of God, even when it seemed illogical, opened the door for God's miraculous provision. This narrative challenges us to examine our own faith and trust in God's promises, especially when we face situations that seem beyond our control. It encourages us to be open to God's direction, even when it leads us into unfamiliar or uncomfortable territory, trusting that He knows our needs and will provide in His perfect timing.
Key Takeaways:
- Faith in Action: Elijah's obedience to God's command to go to Zarephath, despite the risks, demonstrates the power of faith in action. His willingness to follow God's direction without hesitation is a model for us to trust and act on God's word, knowing that He can do anything. [10:11]
- God's Provision: The story of the widow of Zarephath illustrates that God's provision often comes in unexpected ways. Her willingness to give what little she had opened the door for God's abundant blessing, reminding us that God can multiply our resources when we trust Him. [23:45]
- Blessings for Others: God's blessings are not just for our benefit but are meant to flow through us to others. Elijah's presence in the widow's life brought God's provision to her household, highlighting that our obedience can be a blessing to those around us. [39:16]
- Trust in God's Timing: The narrative teaches us to trust in God's timing and provision, even when our circumstances seem dire. The widow's faith in God's promise through Elijah sustained her through the drought, showing that God is faithful to His word. [44:42]
- Responding to God's Call: Like Elijah and the widow, we are called to respond to God's word with faith and action. Whether it's stepping out in faith or offering what little we have, our response to God's call can lead to miraculous outcomes. [51:23]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:39] - Introduction to Elijah's Story
[04:09] - Elijah's Bold Declaration
[05:05] - God's Provision at the Brook
[08:43] - Confronting King Ahab
[10:11] - Elijah's Obedience
[11:39] - Trusting God's Directions
[15:36] - God's Faithfulness in Drought
[18:33] - Journey to Zarephath
[20:03] - The Widow's Dilemma
[23:45] - God's Miraculous Provision
[30:19] - The Power of Simple Acts
[32:15] - Lessons from Went and Did
[36:12] - God's Blessings Multiplied
[39:16] - Blessings for Others
[44:42] - Trusting in God's Word
[51:23] - Invitation to Faith
[52:53] - Closing and Announcements
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1 Kings 17:7-16
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Observation Questions:
1. What specific instructions did God give to Elijah when the brook dried up, and how did Elijah respond? [10:11]
2. Describe the initial interaction between Elijah and the widow of Zarephath. What did Elijah ask of her, and what was her response? [26:14]
3. How did the widow's obedience to Elijah's request lead to a miraculous provision for her household? [36:12]
4. What was the significance of the widow's willingness to share her last meal with Elijah, and how did it demonstrate her faith? [39:16]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does Elijah's journey to Zarephath illustrate the concept of "faith in action," and what can this teach us about trusting God's direction in our own lives? [10:11]
2. In what ways does the story of the widow of Zarephath challenge our understanding of God's provision, especially when resources seem scarce? [23:45]
3. How does the narrative of Elijah and the widow highlight the importance of being a conduit of God's blessings to others? [39:16]
4. What does the widow's story teach us about trusting in God's timing and promises, even when circumstances appear dire? [44:42]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to step out in faith, like Elijah. How did you respond, and what was the outcome? How might you respond differently in the future? [10:11]
2. Consider a situation in your life where resources are limited. How can you trust God to provide in unexpected ways, as He did for the widow of Zarephath? [23:45]
3. Identify someone in your life who might benefit from your obedience to God's call. How can you be a blessing to them this week, as Elijah was to the widow? [39:16]
4. When faced with a challenging situation, how do you typically respond? What steps can you take to trust in God's timing and provision more fully? [44:42]
5. Think about a time when you were hesitant to act on God's word because it seemed illogical or risky. What can you learn from the widow's willingness to trust and act on God's promise? [51:23]
6. How can you cultivate a mindset of "went and did" in your daily life, ensuring that you are responsive to God's direction? [32:15]
7. Reflect on the idea that God's blessings are not just for us but are meant to flow through us to others. How can you actively seek opportunities to share God's blessings with those around you? [39:16]
Devotional
I'm ready to provide the 5-day devotional based on the steps outlined. Here it is:
Day 1: Faith in Action
Elijah's journey to Zarephath exemplifies the profound impact of faith in action. Despite the risks and uncertainties, Elijah obeyed God's command to go to a foreign land during a severe drought. His unwavering trust in God's direction serves as a powerful model for us. Elijah's faith was not passive; it was active and demonstrated through his willingness to step into the unknown, trusting that God would provide. This narrative challenges us to consider how we can put our faith into action, trusting that God can do anything when we follow His lead. [10:11]
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: What is one area in your life where you feel God is calling you to step out in faith? How can you take a concrete step today to act on that calling?
Day 2: God's Provision
The story of the widow of Zarephath is a testament to God's provision in unexpected ways. When Elijah asked the widow to make a small cake for him first, it seemed illogical given her dire circumstances. Yet, her willingness to trust and obey opened the door for God's miraculous provision. Her flour and oil did not run out, sustaining her household throughout the drought. This narrative reminds us that God's provision often comes when we least expect it and in ways we cannot foresee. It encourages us to trust that God can multiply our resources when we place them in His hands. [23:45]
2 Corinthians 9:8 (ESV): "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to trust God for provision? How can you offer what little you have to Him today, trusting that He will multiply it?
Day 3: Blessings for Others
Elijah's presence in the widow's life was not just for his own survival but also a conduit of God's blessing to her household. This story illustrates that God's blessings are meant to flow through us to others. Elijah's obedience and the widow's faith resulted in a miraculous provision that sustained them both. This narrative challenges us to consider how our actions and obedience to God can be a blessing to those around us. It encourages us to be open to being used by God to bring His blessings to others. [39:16]
Proverbs 11:25 (ESV): "Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered."
Reflection: Who in your life could benefit from the blessings God has given you? How can you intentionally be a conduit of God's blessing to them today?
Day 4: Trust in God's Timing
The widow's faith in God's promise through Elijah sustained her through the drought, teaching us to trust in God's timing and provision. Even when circumstances seem dire, God's faithfulness to His word is unwavering. This narrative encourages us to trust that God knows our needs and will provide in His perfect timing. It challenges us to remain steadfast in our faith, even when we cannot see the outcome. [44:42]
Habakkuk 2:3 (ESV): "For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay."
Reflection: What is a situation in your life where you are struggling to trust God's timing? How can you practice patience and trust in His perfect timing today?
Day 5: Responding to God's Call
Both Elijah and the widow responded to God's word with faith and action, leading to miraculous outcomes. Elijah's obedience to go to Zarephath and the widow's willingness to give what little she had are powerful examples of responding to God's call. This narrative encourages us to consider how we can respond to God's call in our own lives, whether it's stepping out in faith or offering what we have. It challenges us to trust that our response to God's call can lead to extraordinary results. [51:23]
James 1:22 (ESV): "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."
Reflection: What is one specific way you feel God is calling you to respond to His word today? How can you take a step of faith to act on that call?
Quotes
Elijah speaks of himself as being one who stood before God or one who served God. He was unapologetic about his relationship with the Lord God of Israel. He was committed to God and to the things of God, even if it meant peril or difficulty for himself. [00:10:24] (18 seconds)
Listen, God can do anything, amen? Somebody say God can do anything. God can do anything. So what did he do next? He directed Elijah to go to the brook Cherith, and it's in an out-of-the-way place. And he told him that when he got to the brook Cherith, which flowed into the Jordan, that he was going to drink from that brook. [00:11:12] (20 seconds)
for he went and he stayed by the brook Cherith which flows into the Jordan and we and I pounced on that that little phrase there Elijah went and did and I said you know just like Elijah we need some went and did in our lives we need some went and some didn't on a daily basis see God can do anything but the question is can you follow his directions [00:11:59] (29 seconds)
And I'm glad that we serve a God who sympathizes with our weaknesses. I'm glad that we have a Father who, as a songwriter said, that he walks with me and he talks with me and he tells me that I am his own. And when I find myself in circumstances and situations that I can't handle, that I can't do anything about, I know that all I got to do is look to my Father who is in heaven and let him know that my life is not my own. [00:15:30] (27 seconds)
And I don't know about you, but I want God showing up and I want him speaking, and I want him speaking into my life on a daily basis. I want this written word right here to come alive right here and guide me throughout each and every day. See? There's already enough noise being communicated or broadcasted in our world today. [00:16:42] (28 seconds)
And then here's the punctuation to what God did. Look at verse number 16. It says this, the bin of flour was not used up, nor did the jar of oil run dry according to the word of the Lord, which he spoke by Elijah. Wow. You got that right, Sister Mary Ann. That's a hallelujah. [00:40:20] (28 seconds)
And I believe that songwriter said that little becomes much when you place it in the master's hand. Yeah. Yeah. I see God's word to you and me is just like his word to the widow. He gives us this assurance. And we saw that in verse number 16, which says that the bin of flour was not used up. [00:45:00] (37 seconds)
And perhaps for someone in this room or someone who's watching online, the first thing that God is wanting to do for you is to bring you into personal relationship with him. And I want to give you that opportunity on this morning to do that if that's your need. Is your greatest need a need to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? [00:49:54] (30 seconds)
And if you're here in person in the sanctuary and that was the prayer of your heart and desire of your heart, then when we dismiss at the end of the service, then come forward and talk with one of our pastors that'll be up front and they'll talk to you about what you ought to do next in response to your decision. [00:52:17] (21 seconds)
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