Faith in the Stretch: God's Provision in Need

 

Summary

On this special Mother’s Day, we gathered to celebrate not only the mothers among us, but also the God who meets us in our moments of greatest need. The heart of today’s reflection centers on the story of the widow at Zarephath from 1 Kings 17—a woman who, in the midst of drought, loss, and utter lack, was asked by God to stretch what little she had left. Her story is not just about flour and oil, but about faith in the face of pressure, and the miraculous provision that comes when we trust God with our last.

We acknowledged the very real pressures that mothers—and indeed, all of us—face. The pressure of not having enough, of being stretched beyond what seems possible, of feeling like you’re down to your last nerve, dollar, or ounce of strength. Yet, as we saw through the lives of biblical mothers like Hagar, Hannah, Jochebed, the Canaanite woman, and Mary, God specializes in meeting us in our stretch. He doesn’t just see our weakness; He draws out our worth and purpose through the very pressures that threaten to undo us.

The widow’s obedience to God’s uncomfortable instruction—giving out of her lack—opened the door to daily provision. She didn’t receive a warehouse of flour, but she never ran out. This is a reminder that God may not always give us abundance all at once, but He promises enough for each day. Our last is never our limit when God is our source. The stretching seasons are not meant to break us, but to launch us into new places of faith, purpose, and dependence on Him.

We were encouraged to come back to God again and again, especially when we feel drained and empty. He is the God who fills our cup, not just once, but over and over, as often as we return to Him. Whether you’re a mother, a father, a single person, or anyone feeling stretched thin, God’s supply is unlimited. He invites us to trust Him, to obey even when it doesn’t make sense, and to believe that He is working purpose out of our pressure. In every stretch, in every moment of lack, God is present, providing, and preparing to launch us further than we could ever go on our own.

Key Takeaways

- Pressure Reveals Purpose, Not Just Weakness
The pressures of life—whether financial, emotional, or relational—are not simply tests of endurance. They are opportunities for God to draw out the purpose He has placed within us. Like a tube of toothpaste, it’s only when we’re squeezed that what’s inside is revealed, and often, it’s more valuable than we realized. [01:05:54]

- God Is in the Stretch
When we feel stretched beyond our limits, it’s easy to believe we’re about to break. But God is not trying to break us; He’s preparing to launch us. The stretching increases our capacity for faith and provision, and it’s in these moments that God’s grace is made perfect in our weakness. [01:16:03]

- Obedience Precedes Miracles
God’s instructions often come before we see the outcome, and they can feel uncomfortable or even unreasonable. Yet, as with the widow, Naaman, Moses, Joshua, and others, obedience in the stretch opens the door to miracles that we could never orchestrate on our own. Miracles often require us to act before we fully understand. [01:13:45]

- Your Last Is Not Your Limit
Running low does not mean running out when God is your source. The widow’s jar and jug were never empty, even though they were never overflowing. God’s provision is often daily, teaching us to depend on Him moment by moment, and to trust that He will always give us enough for today. [01:19:55]

- Return to the Source for Replenishment
Life will drain us, sometimes repeatedly, but God invites us to keep coming back to Him. He promises to fill us again and again, no matter how many times we feel emptied. Our role is to return, open our hearts, and let Him pour in His strength, peace, and provision for each new day. [01:24:49]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[20:15] - Mother’s Day Greetings & Celebrations
[42:41] - Honoring Moms and Children’s Ministry
[44:19] - Testimony: God’s Favor in the Courtroom
[48:07] - God Is No Respecter of Persons
[49:24] - Reading: The Widow of Zarephath (1 Kings 17)
[51:24] - The Widow’s Desperation and God’s Promise
[52:57] - Stretching Like a Mother: The Reality of Pressure
[54:47] - Biblical Mothers Under Pressure
[56:24] - Pain as a Platform for Prayer
[57:56] - Persistent Faith Gets Miracles
[58:29] - Mary: Trusting God’s Heart in Uncertainty
[01:01:41] - The Pressure Is Real
[01:05:54] - Pressure Reveals Purpose
[01:10:05] - God Is in the Stretch
[01:13:45] - Obedience Before Clarity
[01:16:03] - The Stretch Prepares for Launch
[01:18:28] - Your Last Isn’t Your Limit
[01:23:25] - God Fills Us Again and Again
[01:29:39] - Invitation to Return to God
[01:32:15] - Trusting God Day by Day
[01:33:00] - Altar Call: Come Be Filled
[01:35:39] - God Multiplies the Little
[01:36:56] - Intercession and Perfect Peace
[01:40:03] - Closing Prayer and Blessing

Study Guide

Small Group Bible Study Guide: “God in the Stretch”

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### Bible Reading

1 Kings 17:7-16
(The story of the widow at Zarephath and Elijah)

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### Observation Questions

1. What was the widow of Zarephath’s situation when Elijah first met her? What did she say about her resources and her plans for herself and her son? ([51:24])
2. What specific instruction did Elijah give the widow, and how did she respond? ([51:24])
3. According to the sermon, what did the widow receive as a result of her obedience? Was it an abundance all at once, or something else? ([01:19:55])
4. The sermon mentioned several other biblical mothers under pressure (Hagar, Hannah, Jochebed, the Canaanite woman, Mary). What kinds of pressures did they face? ([54:47])

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The widow was asked to give out of her lack, not her abundance. What does this reveal about the kind of faith God calls us to have? ([01:10:49])
2. The sermon said, “Pressure doesn’t just reveal weakness. Pressure reveals worth.” How does this idea change the way someone might view their own struggles? ([01:05:54])
3. The pastor said, “God is not trying to break you; He’s preparing to launch you.” What does it mean for God to be “in the stretch” of our lives? ([01:16:03])
4. The widow’s provision was daily, not a one-time overflow. What might God be teaching us about dependence and trust through this kind of provision? ([01:19:55])

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### Application Questions

1. The widow obeyed God’s uncomfortable instruction before she saw the outcome. Is there an area in your life where you sense God asking you to obey before you understand? What would it look like to take that step? ([01:13:45])
2. The sermon described how pressure can pull purpose out of us, like squeezing a tube of toothpaste. Can you think of a time when a difficult situation revealed something valuable in you that you didn’t know was there? ([01:05:54])
3. The pastor shared about feeling drained and empty, but encouraged us to keep coming back to God for replenishment. What are some practical ways you can “return to the source” when you feel empty? ([01:24:49])
4. The widow’s jar and jug were never overflowing, but they were never empty. How does this challenge your expectations of how God should provide for you? Are there areas where you need to trust God for “enough for today”? ([01:19:55])
5. The sermon highlighted that God specializes in meeting us in our stretch, not just in our strength. Is there a place in your life right now where you feel stretched thin? How can you invite God into that specific area this week? ([01:16:03])
6. The pastor mentioned several mothers in the Bible who faced real pressure and pain, but God met them there. Who in your life needs encouragement in their “stretching season,” and how can you support or pray for them this week? ([54:47])
7. The message said, “Your last is not your limit when God is your source.” What is one “last” (last nerve, last dollar, last bit of hope) you are facing, and how can you trust God with it today? ([01:19:55])

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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to share one area where they feel stretched and pray for God’s daily provision and strength for each person.

Devotional

Day 1: The Pressure is Real
Life often brings overwhelming pressure, especially for those carrying the weight of responsibility for others. Like the widow of Zarephath, many find themselves at the end of their resources, feeling as if they have nothing left to give. The pressure of providing, nurturing, and holding things together can feel relentless, and it’s not something that can be easily faked or ignored. Yet, it’s in these moments of pressure that God sees and understands the burdens you carry. You are not alone in your struggle, and your feelings are valid—acknowledge the reality of your pressure, knowing that God is present with you in it. [01:03:53]

1 Kings 17:7-12 (ESV)
"And after a while the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land. 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.' 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.' 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.'"

Reflection: Where in your life are you feeling the most pressure right now, and how can you invite God into that specific area today?


Day 2: God Pulls Purpose Out of Pressure
Pressure doesn’t just reveal your weaknesses—it reveals your worth and the purpose God has placed within you. Just as a tube of toothpaste must be squeezed to reveal what’s inside, so too does pressure in life draw out the gifts, strength, and calling that God has deposited in you. The challenges you face may be uncomfortable, but they are often the very means by which God shapes you for greater things. Trust that even in your hardest moments, God is working to bring forth purpose from your pain, using your story to encourage and help others. [01:07:26]

Romans 8:28 (ESV)
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

Reflection: Think of a recent challenge or pressure you’ve faced—how might God be using it to reveal or develop a greater purpose in your life?


Day 3: God is in the Stretch
When you feel stretched beyond your limits, remember that God is present in the stretching. The widow’s faith was stretched when she was asked to give from her last bit, but her obedience opened the door for God’s miraculous provision. God’s instructions may feel uncomfortable or even unreasonable, but they are often the setup for a miracle. Like a rubber band, the further you are stretched, the greater your potential for what God wants to do through you. God is not trying to break you—He is preparing to launch you into new places of faith and provision. [01:16:03]

2 Corinthians 12:9 (ESV)
"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel most stretched right now, and how can you shift your perspective to see God’s hand at work in that stretch?


Day 4: Your Last Isn’t Your Limit
Just because you feel like you’re down to your last doesn’t mean you’ve reached your limit. God specializes in providing exactly what you need, right when you need it—not always in abundance, but always enough for the moment. The widow’s jar and jug never ran out, even though they never overflowed. God’s daily provision is a reminder that He is faithful, and you can trust Him to supply your needs one day at a time. Go back and check your “jars”—your joy, your peace, your hope. You may find that God has left you with just enough for today. [01:19:55]

Matthew 6:11 (ESV)
"Give us this day our daily bread."

Reflection: What is one area where you feel you don’t have enough? How can you trust God to provide what you need for just today?


Day 5: Keep Coming Back to the Source
When life leaves you feeling drained and empty, God invites you to keep coming back to Him. He is the source who fills your cup again and again, no matter how many times you feel depleted. Like David declared, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” God’s supply is unlimited, and He restores your soul when you return to Him. No matter how many times you feel emptied by life’s demands, God promises to fill you anew—just keep coming back to the Father, and let Him pour into you. [01:24:49]

Psalm 23:1-3 (ESV)
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake."

Reflection: When you feel spiritually or emotionally empty, what practical step can you take today to return to God and let Him fill you again?

Quotes

God is not trying to break you. He's preparing to launch you. Why? Because God is in the stretching. And some of y 'all are being stretched, and you are resisting the stretch. God, that hurts. God, you're trying to break me. God, why are you doing this? And God is saying, I'm not trying to break you. I'm trying to launch you. [01:16:38] (33 seconds) Edit Clip


Because sometimes faith looks like letting go and trusting God to hold on. Y 'all ain't saying nothing to me in this place. Don't forget about the Canaanite woman, the desperate mom who wouldn't take no for an answer. Her daughter was demon -possessed. And even Jesus initially didn't even want to respond to her. But her persistence, somebody say persistence. Her persistence and faith moved Jesus to heal her daughter. Her lesson teaches us to...Faith that won't quit gets miracles that won't miss. [00:57:33] (39 seconds) Edit Clip


God's miracles often travel in the vehicle of obedience even when the ride is bumpy. A thought that comes to my mind, it's like a rubber band. When a rubber band is being stretched, and I see some of y 'all scared now. And the further it gets pulled, what happens? Yeah. You say the tighter it gets. Some people are thinking, oh, it's going to have the power to snap, but it's going to hurt. But I say, the further it's pulled, the greater the potential energy. [01:15:23] (61 seconds) Edit Clip


Can I tell you something? You're not. But your limit is not your last. Because you have a God who invites you. Just keep on coming back to me. Just keep coming back to me. And I will be your supply. And my supply is unlimited. Your Father's supply is unlimited. [01:29:59] (49 seconds) Edit Clip


God will bless the broken. God will multiply you a little. God will turn things around. God will show you how he's able to bring purpose out of your pressure. I know the pressure is real. But God is in the stretching. And God's not trying to break you, my brother and my sister. He simply is trying to launch you into what he has for you. Glory to God. [01:35:39] (34 seconds) Edit Clip


This isn't just about the widow at Zarephath. This is about every mother who has ever felt like she's down to her last nerve, down to her last dollar, down to her last ounce of strength. But here's what the God of all creation informed me to declare on this Mother's Day, that when you are down to your last, God is just getting started. [00:54:10] (36 seconds) Edit Clip


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