Finding Hope and Provision in Our Emptiness
Summary
On this Mothering Sunday, we reflect on the profound role mothers and mother figures play in our lives, often running on empty as they selflessly and sacrificially care for their families. This message is not just for mothers but for everyone who experiences seasons of depletion, where peace, joy, and hope seem distant. We explore the story of a mother in 1 Kings 17, who, like many of us, felt inadequate and drained. Yet, God promises to fill our emptiness if we trust in Him.
In 1 Kings 17, we meet a widow in Zarephath, a place of spiritual barrenness, who is preparing for her last meal with her son. God sends Elijah to her, not just to meet his needs but to reveal His power and provision to her. Despite her initial fear and doubt, she obeys Elijah's request to first make him a small cake, trusting in God's promise that her supplies would not run out. This act of faith leads to a miraculous provision, teaching us that God often provides just enough for each day, encouraging us to rely on Him continually.
The story also highlights the futility of idols, as seen in the context of Israel's idolatry under King Ahab and Jezebel. Idols, whether they are false gods or modern-day distractions, cannot fulfill our deepest needs. Only God can provide true peace and satisfaction. The widow's journey from fear to faith illustrates that when we entrust everything to God, He empowers us and meets our needs in ways we cannot imagine.
Furthermore, the narrative takes a dramatic turn when the widow's son falls ill and dies. Through Elijah's fervent prayer, God resurrects the boy, demonstrating His power over life and death. This resurrection foreshadows the ultimate resurrection of Jesus Christ, offering us hope for eternal life. On this Mother's Day, we are reminded that God sees us in our emptiness, promises to empower us, and desires to give us eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ.
Key Takeaways:
- God Sees Our Emptiness: Just as God saw Elijah and the widow in their times of need, He sees us in our moments of depletion. Our circumstances may be beyond our control, but God is always aware and ready to provide. [10:42]
- Trust in God's Provision: The widow's act of faith in providing for Elijah first, despite her own lack, teaches us to trust in God's promises. He often provides just enough for each day, encouraging us to rely on Him continually. [25:10]
- The Futility of Idols: The story contrasts the power of God with the impotence of idols. Modern-day idols, whether material or emotional, cannot fulfill our deepest needs. Only God can provide true peace and satisfaction. [09:25]
- God's Empowering Presence: When we entrust our fears and inadequacies to God, He empowers us to meet the challenges we face. Our faith in His promises allows us to experience His sustaining grace. [25:24]
- Hope in Resurrection: The resurrection of the widow's son points to the greater resurrection of Jesus Christ, offering us hope for eternal life. Through faith in Christ, we are promised a reservation in heaven, an inheritance that cannot be taken away. [33:43]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:14] - Honoring Mothers
- [01:08] - Seasons of Emptiness
- [02:48] - Running on Empty
- [03:47] - The Widow of Zarephath
- [06:35] - Context of 1 Kings 17
- [08:02] - Elijah's Challenge
- [10:42] - God's Eyes on Us
- [12:42] - Trusting God's Word
- [14:14] - Avoiding Idolatry
- [17:33] - God's Provision
- [22:51] - Empowered by Faith
- [29:24] - Eternal Provision
- [33:43] - Resurrection Hope
- [36:39] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1 Kings 17:7-24
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the initial reaction of the widow of Zarephath when Elijah asked her for food and water? How did she express her situation? [04:48]
2. How did God demonstrate His provision for the widow and her son through Elijah's visit? What miracle occurred as a result of her obedience? [05:19]
3. What was the widow's response after her son was resurrected, and how did it change her perception of God? [32:40]
4. How does the story of the widow and Elijah illustrate the futility of idols compared to the power of God? [09:25]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does the widow's initial reluctance to trust Elijah's words reflect common human fears and doubts when faced with scarcity? [23:09]
2. How does the story of the widow and Elijah challenge the idea of self-sufficiency and highlight the importance of faith in God's provision? [25:24]
3. What does the resurrection of the widow's son signify about God's power over life and death, and how does it foreshadow the resurrection of Jesus Christ? [33:43]
4. How does the narrative of 1 Kings 17 encourage believers to rely on God's daily provision rather than seeking fulfillment in modern-day idols? [14:14]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt depleted or running on empty. How did you respond, and what role did faith play in that situation? [03:02]
2. The widow had to trust Elijah's promise of God's provision before seeing the outcome. Is there an area in your life where you need to trust God's promises more fully? How can you take a step of faith this week? [25:24]
3. Consider the idols or distractions in your life that may be hindering your reliance on God. What practical steps can you take to remove or reduce their influence? [09:25]
4. The widow's story shows that God can use our emptiness to meet the needs of others. How can you allow God to use your current challenges to bless someone else? [30:25]
5. The resurrection of the widow's son offers hope for eternal life through Jesus Christ. How does this hope influence your daily life and interactions with others? [33:43]
6. How can you ensure that you are seeking God's presence and provision daily, rather than relying on temporary solutions or distractions? [28:38]
7. In what ways can you support and encourage the mothers and mother figures in your life, acknowledging their sacrifices and pointing them to God's sustaining grace? [02:22]
Devotional
Day 1: God’s Awareness in Our Emptiness
In times of depletion, when peace, joy, and hope seem distant, it is comforting to know that God sees us. Just as He saw Elijah and the widow in their moments of need, He is aware of our circumstances, even when they feel beyond our control. The widow of Zarephath was preparing for her last meal, feeling inadequate and drained, yet God sent Elijah to reveal His power and provision. This story reminds us that God is always aware and ready to provide, even in our emptiness. [10:42]
1 Peter 5:7 (ESV): "Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel most depleted today? How can you invite God into that space to experience His awareness and provision?
Day 2: Faith in Daily Provision
The widow’s act of faith in providing for Elijah first, despite her own lack, teaches us to trust in God’s promises. God often provides just enough for each day, encouraging us to rely on Him continually. This daily reliance builds our faith and reminds us that God’s provision is sufficient. The widow’s obedience led to a miraculous provision, showing that when we trust God, He meets our needs in ways we cannot imagine. [25:10]
Matthew 6:34 (ESV): "Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."
Reflection: What is one practical step you can take today to trust God’s provision for your needs, rather than worrying about tomorrow?
Day 3: The Powerlessness of Idols
The story of the widow contrasts the power of God with the impotence of idols. In the context of Israel’s idolatry under King Ahab and Jezebel, we see that idols, whether they are false gods or modern-day distractions, cannot fulfill our deepest needs. Only God can provide true peace and satisfaction. The widow’s journey from fear to faith illustrates that when we entrust everything to God, He empowers us and meets our needs in ways we cannot imagine. [09:25]
Jeremiah 10:5 (ESV): "Their idols are like scarecrows in a cucumber field, and they cannot speak; they have to be carried, for they cannot walk. Do not be afraid of them, for they cannot do evil, neither is it in them to do good."
Reflection: Identify one modern-day idol in your life. How can you begin to shift your focus from this idol to God, seeking His peace and satisfaction instead?
Day 4: Empowered by God’s Presence
When we entrust our fears and inadequacies to God, He empowers us to meet the challenges we face. The widow’s act of faith in providing for Elijah first, despite her own lack, teaches us to trust in God’s promises. Our faith in His promises allows us to experience His sustaining grace. God’s empowering presence is available to us when we choose to rely on Him, just as the widow did. [25:24]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: What fear or inadequacy are you holding onto today? How can you entrust this to God and experience His empowering presence?
Day 5: Hope in Resurrection
The resurrection of the widow’s son points to the greater resurrection of Jesus Christ, offering us hope for eternal life. Through faith in Christ, we are promised a reservation in heaven, an inheritance that cannot be taken away. This hope in resurrection reminds us that God sees us in our emptiness, promises to empower us, and desires to give us eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ. [33:43]
1 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you."
Reflection: How does the hope of resurrection and eternal life through Jesus Christ impact your perspective on current challenges? What steps can you take to live in light of this hope today?
Quotes
On this Mothering Sunday uh we are very thankful for all moms all mother figures that are in our lives and as a church we're especially thankful uh for ladies the godly influence that they have in shaping the next generation to love God uh and to follow Jesus and today is a day where uh all around uh the world people uh want to honor and encourage moms and mother figures as they selfishly they sacrificially they faithfully they love they labor sometimes it's kind of bankless it's hard it's essential work every single day. [00:00:17]
And all of us here we can go through difficult seasons in our life that leave us empty so I want to say that so for the guys in here don't just check out okay for the rest the next uh while don't say "Oh this isn't for me this is for the ladies today." No this can help all of us but especially we want to encourage uh mothers today but all of us can have seasons where uh it kind of zaps us a bit it leaves us depleted uh maybe of peace maybe of our joy maybe of some hope and there's situations that try our trust in God try our faith in him. [00:00:53]
How good are we at letting God fulfill us how good are we at letting God satisfy us how good are we at letting God meet our heart's deepest needs and what do we try to do to find fulfillment and satisfaction in life what sustains us in the most difficult seasons in our lives and could it be that some of the things we run to to replenish us in fact leave us empty and replace God in our lives this mother we read about was feeling like she was running on empty and God promises to give her what she needs as she trusts in him. [00:03:13]
And Elijah said unto her Fear not go and do as thou hast said but make me thereof of a little cake first bring it unto me and after make for thee and for thy son for thus saith the Lord God of Israel that barrel of meal shall not waste neither shall the cruise of oil fail until the day that the Lord sent rain upon the earth and she went and did according to the saying of Elijah and she and he and her house did eat many days and the barrel of meal wasted not neither did the crus of oil fail according to the word of the Lord which he spake by Elijah. [00:05:06]
So God sometimes allows challenging times just like this drought to happen because of a spiritual drought that's in our lives to cause people to turn to God to repent of replacing God with idols that leave them feeling empty so what does Jezebel do jezebel tries to kill Elijah after Elijah is mocking Baal and the fire and water come down people turn away uh from what left them feeling empty and thirsty and dry and weak. [00:10:00]
God sees Elijah elijah had a great faith he he was a preacher of repentance to God yet even this godly servant was affected wasn't he about what was going on he was affected by the sinful brokenness uh and the fallout of living in a fallen world this famine is Ahab's fault this famine is Jezebel's fault and sometimes our emptiness I want to make it clear today sometimes the emptiness that's in our life and the depletion that's in our life is not caused by some idol in our life or something that we're doing wrong it's caused by uh the circumstances that are outside of our control. [00:10:50]
And perhaps today just like Elijah you can look back in this last season you can you can praise God that moment by moment day by day despite a challenging busy season you can't explain it but you receiving just enough just what you need physically in your health just what you need emotionally just what you need spiritually day by day he can testify and say "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed because his compassions fail not they are new every morning great is thy faithfulness." [00:11:42]
God was already pricking the heart of this lady and her weakness and her inadequacy god was already speaking to her heart preparing her for what was about to happen as the brook Cherith was emptying this mother's food supply was quickly coming to an end their lives were going to come to an end very soon and imagine how difficult and awkward it would be for you to go to a widow you've never met they only have one uh bull left of uh weed a bit and you say "Give that to me." and the the the milk and the crumbs at the bottom maybe you and your son can have that imagine how awkward that would be it didn't make sense to feed Elijah first. [00:20:41]
God knows Elijah needs food doesn't he but more importantly than that in this story God knows that this mother needs some lifegiving faith because God knows he is not her God in verse 12 again what does it say as she's replying to him she's saying "As the Lord thy God liveth." Not my God that lives not our God that lives your God that lives it was very probable that this widow of Zerapath was a worshshiper of Baal baal worshippers believed in the existence of Yahweh or Jehovah God but they did not place their trust in Jehovah God for the forgiveness of their sins they were trusting in Baal and what Baal could provide. [00:21:46]
God promises to empower you as you entrust everything to him notice her fearful objection in verse 13- 16 elijah in fact tells her to fear not as she tells him that she she can't uh do this she feels she has nothing left to give in her own strength she could get Elijah a cup of water but not for much longer soon her energy will be zapped by lack of food she's barely hanging on and even that simple task will be impossible for her she couldn't even feed her son adequately she felt like she wasn't enough she felt like she was unable she felt like she was weak she felt like she was running on empty. [00:22:51]
God is never trying just to meet your needs and your weakness there's a lot more at stake than that a lot of people are affected by our faith or by our faithlessness and God wanted to meet he wanted to meet Elijah's needs he wanted to meet her son's needs he wanted to meet her needs and God used the emptiness in her life to minister to Elijah he used the emptiness in Elijah's life to minister to her and isn't that a beautiful thing that our God can do multiple things all at once even things we don't see that he's doing behind the scenes. [00:30:00]
And the woman said to Elijah "Now by this I know that thou art a man of God and that the word of the Lord in thy mouth is truth." Friends contrary to popular belief you and I are more than a body you and I are more than a cosmic accident without rhyme or reason you and I are more than some kind of clump of cells when we die we don't cease to exist as our body decomposes no you and I have a unique eternal living soul that's been uniquely designed by God almighty God and when you and I die our souls will go in one place forever and ever. [00:32:48]
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