You Will Be Tested, But God Can Be Trusted (I Kings 17:8-16) 01/18/2025

Devotional

Day 1: God is the Only True Source of Our Provision

It is easy to look at a bank account or a job as the primary source of security, but these are merely channels. When a brook dries up or a resource vanishes, it is often because God is moving you toward a new way to experience His faithfulness. He invites you to look past the visible circumstances and fix your eyes on the One who holds all things. Your situation may feel difficult, but God has not forgotten you in the midst of the drought. He is committed to making you more like His Son through every season of life. [39:25]

And the word of the Lord came to him: “Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.”

Reflection: When you look at your current financial or emotional needs, do you find yourself trusting more in the "brook" of your own resources or in the God who provides the water?

Day 2: Choosing Faith Over the Counsel of Fear

When supply runs low and needs grow large, fear often tries to become a primary counselor in your heart. However, fear is a liar that keeps you from experiencing the fullness of what God has prepared for you. The command to "fear not" appears throughout Scripture because God knows how easily anxiety can take root. Instead of resigning yourself to a spirit of fear, you can lean into the power, love, and sound mind that He provides. Even when you feel like you are down to your last handful of flour, God is present and working. [30:32]

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

Reflection: In what specific area of your life is fear currently trying to "counsel" you, and how might you replace that fearful thought with a specific promise from God's Word today?

Day 3: Putting God First to Bless the Rest

There is a divine principle found throughout the Bible that involves giving God the first and best of what you have. This act of worship is not about God needing your resources, but about your heart needing to trust His promises. When you prioritize Him, you are sowing into His kingdom and believing that He will supply everything you need. It may feel counterintuitive to give when you have very little, but God specializes in taking a small offering and turning it into a miracle. By putting Him first, you open the door for Him to bless the remainder of your life. [21:01]

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.”

Reflection: Is there a part of your life—whether it be your time, your finances, or your talents—where you have been giving God the "leftovers" rather than the "first fruits"?

Day 4: Finding God’s Provision in the Most Unlikely Places

God is never limited by your surroundings or the spiritual climate of your neighborhood. He can use the most unexpected people and the most unlikely circumstances to meet your needs. Whether it is a raven bringing food or a widow in a foreign land, His hand reaches into every corner of the world. You may feel like you are in a difficult environment, but God is right there with you, orchestrating His plan. Do not put Him in a box or assume He cannot move in your current situation. He is the God of the impossible, and His grace is sufficient for every trial. [10:37]

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: Looking back at a difficult season in your past, what is one "unlikely" way God provided for you that you didn't see coming at the time?

Day 5: Living in the Reality of God’s Continuous Supply

Walking with God means developing a history of faithfulness that makes it easier to trust Him for the next challenge. Just as the widow’s jar of flour was not spent and her jug of oil did not run dry, God’s supply for your life is continuous. He does not always give everything at once, but He provides exactly what is needed for each day. As you practice generosity and obedience, you will begin to see His hand moving behind the scenes in ways you never imagined. Trust that the God who came through before is the same God who will come through today. Your obedience today is the seed for tomorrow’s miracle. [37:39]

And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.

Reflection: What is one small, concrete step of obedience you feel God asking you to take this week, even if the full outcome isn't yet clear to you?

Sermon Summary

God is portrayed as a faithful, sovereign provider whose promises demand trust even when circumstances look dire. The narrative moves from a general pastoral reflection—that God is not chiefly committed to human comfort but to conforming believers to Christ—into the Old Testament account of Elijah. Initially sustained by ravens at a brook, Elijah is called to Zarephath, the heart of Baal worship, where a destitute widow faces starvation. Her radical obedience—giving the prophet the first of her last food—becomes the occasion for a divine, ongoing provision: the jar of flour and the jug of oil do not run out until the drought ends.

The teaching frames trials as means of spiritual formation and increased usefulness in God’s kingdom; tests refine faith and reveal God’s reliability. Faith that has never been tested cannot be fully trusted, and closeness to God often attracts intensified opposition from the enemy. Practical obedience—especially the discipline of putting God first in giving—functions as both worship and a conduit for God’s provision. The widow’s choice models how an apparently foolish act of trust becomes the mechanism for God to demonstrate his power in ways that defy human expectations.

Listeners are urged to reinterpret scarcity: when a familiar source dries up, it may be God redirecting to a truer Provider. Fear is diagnosed as a bad counselor that forces premature, self-reliant solutions; instead, waiting on God and acting only when led preserves the possibility of supernatural deliverance. Generosity is framed as a posture of allegiance rather than a transactional strategy; give out of devotion, not for a formulaic return, yet recognize that God’s economy repeatedly surprises the faithful with provision. The overall conviction is pastoral and biblical: holiness, tested faith, sacrificial giving, and patient obedience are where God meets need and multiplies what little exists into sustaining abundance.

Key Takeaways

1. God can be trusted Trust toward God is not wishful optimism but confidence grounded in God’s revealed promises and past faithfulness. Trust requires a willingness to obey before results appear, believing that providence can work through unexpected people and places. The call to trust includes preparedness for tests that prove and strengthen conviction. [01:58]
2. Trials increase kingdom usability Hard seasons are vocational—God refines character and enlarges usefulness for kingdom service through suffering. Rather than arbitrary punishment, testing exposes the depth of faith and enlarges one’s capacity to represent Christ in conflict. Increased visibility in God’s plan often draws opposition, which itself proves the authenticity of the work God is doing. [04:16]
3. Give God the first The first-fruits principle reframes giving as worshipful submission to God’s lordship, not merely philanthropy. Offering the first of scarcity invites God’s blessing on the remainder and expresses confidence that God will multiply what is surrendered. This act identifies the divine Provider over every earthly source. [14:07]
4. Fear is a terrible counselor Decisions driven by fear truncate faith and prompt premature, self-help solutions that can forfeit divine opportunities. Replacing fear with obedience and a sound mind restores spiritual clarity and preserves space for God’s unexpected provision. Courageous patience often precedes the miracle. [28:59]
5. Don't run ahead of God Impulsive fixes—borrowing, bargaining, or manipulating—can short-circuit God’s intended method of provision and stewardship. Waiting to be led preserves the integrity of God’s answer and opens avenues for unconventional help. Discernment in timing is as important as obedience in action. [42:03]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:58] - God can be trusted
[04:16] - Trials increase usability
[05:41] - Faith must be tested
[06:08] - Elijah, Ahab, and Jezebel
[09:14] - Ravens and initial provision
[14:07] - Give God the first
[27:52] - Sent to Zarephath
[28:19] - The widow's fear and poverty
[31:13] - The counterintuitive command: give first
[35:08] - Promise: unending flour and oil
[42:03] - Don’t run ahead of God
[47:23] - Give to love, not to get

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading

1 Kings 17:8-16 (ESV)
8 Then the word of the Lord came to him, 9 “Arise, go to Zarephath, which belongs to Sidon, and dwell there. Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you.” 10 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.” 11 And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, “Bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” 12 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 and prepare it for myself and my son, that we may eat it and die.” 13 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. 14 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.’” 15 And she went and did as Elijah said. And she and he and her household ate for many days. 16 The jar of flour was not spent, neither did the jug of oil become empty, according to the word of the Lord that he spoke by Elijah.

Observation questions

When the word of the Lord came to Elijah, where specifically did God tell him to go, and who did God say would provide for him there? (1 Kings 17:9)
What was the widow’s physical and emotional state when Elijah first asked her for bread, and what was she planning to do with her remaining resources? [28:19]
What specific command did Elijah give the widow regarding the order of her actions, and what was the exact promise God gave concerning her supplies? [35:08]

Interpretation questions

Zarephath was located in the heart of Baal worship and was the hometown of Queen Jezebel. Why would God choose to send His prophet to the "devil’s neighborhood" to find provision rather than keeping him in a more "safe" or "godly" environment? [27:07]
Elijah’s request for the widow to feed him *first*—before her starving son—seems counterintuitive or even cruel. How does this request illustrate the biblical principle of "first fruits," and why is putting God first necessary for a miracle to occur? [33:27]
Before being sent to the widow, Elijah was fed by ravens until the brook dried up. How does the "drying up" of a familiar source of provision serve as a divine redirection toward a new work God wants to do? [13:40]
The widow recognized Elijah as a man of God, yet she was prepared to "eat and die." What does this reveal about the relationship between knowing about God and actually trusting His word in a moment of crisis? [32:16]

Application questions

God is more committed to conforming us to the image of Christ than making us comfortable [04:01]. Looking back at a "dry brook" season in your life, how did that trial increase your "usability" or value in the kingdom of God? [04:16]
It is often said that a faith that cannot be tested cannot be trusted [05:41]. Are you currently facing a situation where your faith is being shaken? How can you tell if the pressure you feel is an attack from the enemy or a refining test from God? [04:53]
Fear is a terrible counselor that lies to us and limits what God can do [30:32]. In what area of your life—finances, health, or family—is fear currently trying to give you advice? How can you replace that fear with the "sound mind" promised in 2 Timothy 1:7? [29:13]
The principle of giving God the "first" means trusting Him before we see the harvest [21:01]. Do you find it difficult to give to God when you feel you have "more month than money"? What is one practical step you can take to prioritize God in your giving this week? [21:16]
There is a great temptation to run ahead of God and try to fix our own problems through manipulation or self-reliance [42:03]. Is there a "miracle" you might be short-circuiting because you are unwilling to wait for God’s timing? How can you practice "courageous patience" today? [42:40]
Generosity is an act of worship and love, not a transaction to get a return from God [47:23]. Like the widow with her handful of flour, what "little bit" do you have right now that you can offer to God as an act of devotion? [34:47]

Sermon Clips

``The enemy pushes back. Yes. Let me say something to you about your faith. Your faith to have an unshakable faith, your faith has to be shaken. And your faith has to be tested because the faith that cannot be tested cannot be trusted. You know this. If your faith can't go through a test, then you may you may need to go back and look at your faith because your faith must be tested in order for you to understand not only the reality of your faith, but for others who are watching you to see the reality of your faith. [00:05:23] (46 seconds) #FaithMustBeTested

You will come to some times in your life where your source will be gone. You say, but I'm a good person. Yes. You are. But bad things do happen to good people. We know that. Right? Yes. You say I've heard people say, well, why does this why do bad people seem to enjoy so many good things? Yeah. And then people say, well, that's not fair. No. It's not. But God doesn't operate on fairness. He operates on grace. Yeah. [00:11:24] (43 seconds) #GraceNotFairness

Here's the thing. Your tough times increase your usability in the kingdom of God. Every time you go through a trial or testing, God reveals something new about himself to you, and your usability index in the kingdom of God rises. You become more and more valuable. Now let me say something. The more valuable you are to God's kingdom, the more dangerous you are to the enemy's kingdom. Amen. And that means you're gonna have a big target on your back. [00:04:12] (35 seconds) #TrialsIncreaseValue

And somehow in God's economy remember when you sang a song about how Mhmm. Things were backwards in the kingdom of God? It seems like when you have nothing but you give something, it's amazing how God can take a little something and do miracles. Yes. Yes. Just remember the story of the 5,000. A little bit in the hands of God become enough to feed thousands. He said, I don't have much. God doesn't need much. [00:34:02] (32 seconds) #LittleBecomesMuch

And the devil will say, well, that was then or that was a coincidence. Listen, folks. In the family and the walk of God, there is no such thing as coincidence or serendipity. It is by divine plan. You are here this morning not out of an accident or out of habit. You're here by divine appointment. God has you here. He wants you to hear this because for somebody here, this is critical. You need this because you're facing something right now where you're being asked to trust the god of heaven in a way you haven't had to for a long time. And you're beginning to wonder, can I trust him? Will he come through this time? Maybe he came through that time, but will he come through this time? And the answer is yes. He will. [00:36:15] (57 seconds) #DivineAppointment

One of the things you're gonna see in my notes here is something that I really believe in, that God is not committed to making us comfortable. We're committed to us being comfortable, but God is not committing committed to making us comfortable. He's committed to making us conformable to the image of his son, Jesus Christ. And that may mean we gotta go through some tough spots. [00:03:44] (28 seconds) #ConformToChrist

And while he is there, God provides. God provides naturally because there's a stream of water. God provides supernaturally because he brings ravens to feed him meat. Now I'm not a fan of roadkill. Not my thing. Maybe you like it. I don't like it. God brought ravens to bring meat. Where they got it? I don't know. When God feeds you, don't ask questions. Just eat. [00:09:05] (39 seconds) #UnexpectedProvision

Realize that the solution begins with what you do have, not what you don't have. Okay? What do you have? Well, I got a little bit of meal and a little bit of oil. There's the answer. There's the solution. Not with what you don't have. The solution is what you do have. How many of you believe this morning that every problem you're currently facing, God has an answer for? Yes. [00:41:13] (30 seconds) #UseWhatYouHave

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You Will Be Tested, But God Can Be Trusted (I Kings 17:8-16) 01/18/2025

Devotional

Day 1: God is the Only True Source of Our Provision

Day 2: Choosing Faith Over the Counsel of Fear

Day 3: Putting God First to Bless the Rest

Day 4: Finding God’s Provision in the Most Unlikely Places

Day 5: Living in the Reality of God’s Continuous Supply

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

You Will Be Tested, But God Can Be Trusted (I Kings 17:8-16) 01/18/2025

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