Trusting God in Scarcity and Obscurity

Devotional

Day 1: God Provides in Unexpected Ways

In times of scarcity and uncertainty, God’s provision often comes from the most unlikely sources. Elijah, a prophet from obscurity, is sent by God to a remote brook and fed by ravens—unclean, unreliable birds—demonstrating that God’s care is not limited by our expectations or cultural norms. When the brook dries up, God leads Elijah to Zarephath, a Gentile territory, where a widow with almost nothing is chosen to sustain him. This story reminds us that God can use anyone and anything to meet our needs, even in the wilderness and in the midst of drought. [09:38]

1 Kings 17:2-6 (NLT)
Then the Lord said to Elijah, “Go to the east and hide by Kerith Brook, near where it enters the Jordan River. Drink from the brook and eat what the ravens bring you, for I have commanded them to bring you food.” So Elijah did as the Lord told him and camped beside Kerith Brook, east of the Jordan. The ravens brought him bread and meat each morning and evening, and he drank from the brook.

Reflection: Where in your life are you experiencing scarcity or uncertainty, and how might God be inviting you to trust His provision in unexpected ways today?

Day 2: Faith and Obedience in the Face of Lack

The widow of Zarephath is at the end of her resources, preparing a final meal for herself and her son. Yet, when Elijah asks her for bread, she chooses to obey God’s word through the prophet, even though it seems outrageous and impossible. Her willingness to give out of her lack becomes the seed for God’s miraculous provision, as her jar of meal and jug of oil never run out. This story challenges us to trust God not only when we have plenty, but especially when we feel empty, believing that obedience can open the door to abundance. [23:28]

1 Kings 17:13-16 (NLT)
But Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid! Go ahead and do just what you’ve said, but make a little bread for me first. Then use what’s left to prepare a meal for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘There will always be flour and olive oil left in your containers until the time when the Lord sends rain and the crops grow again!’” So she did as Elijah said, and she and Elijah and her family continued to eat for many days. There was always enough flour and olive oil left in the containers, just as the Lord had promised through Elijah.

Reflection: What is one area where God is asking you to step out in faith and obedience, even though you feel you have nothing left to give?

Day 3: God Welcomes Our Honest Emotions

When tragedy strikes and the widow’s son dies, both she and Elijah are overcome with grief, anger, and confusion. Elijah does not hide his feelings from God; instead, he brings his raw pain and questions directly to the Lord. God does not rebuke Elijah for his honesty but holds space for his emotions and responds to his desperate prayer. This passage shows that God desires our authenticity, not a perfect presentation, and that He can handle our doubts, frustrations, and deepest cries. [28:23]

1 Kings 17:17-22 (NLT)
Some time later the woman’s son became sick. He grew worse and worse, and finally he died. Then she said to Elijah, “O man of God, what have you done to me? Have you come here to point out my sins and kill my son?” But Elijah replied, “Give me your son.” And he took the child’s body from her arms, carried him up the stairs to the room where he was staying, and laid the body on his bed. Then Elijah cried out to the Lord, “O Lord my God, why have you brought tragedy to this widow who has opened her home to me, causing her son to die?” And he stretched himself out over the child three times and cried out to the Lord, “O Lord my God, please let this child’s life return to him.” The Lord heard Elijah’s prayer, and the life of the child returned, and he revived!

Reflection: What honest emotions or questions are you holding back from God, and how can you bring them to Him in prayer today?

Day 4: God’s Power Is Revealed in Our Weakness

The resurrection of the widow’s son is not the result of Elijah’s perfect faith, but of his willingness to be real and vulnerable before God. It is in Elijah’s weakness, desperation, and honest prayer that God’s power is most clearly displayed. The miracle not only restores the boy’s life but also confirms Elijah’s calling and the truth of God’s word. Sometimes, our calling is affirmed not in our victories, but in the moments we carry burdens and still choose to believe. [32:40]

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT)
Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

Reflection: Where do you feel weak or inadequate right now, and how might God be inviting you to trust that His power can be revealed through your vulnerability?

Day 5: The Invitation to Come as You Are

The story of Elijah and the widow is ultimately an invitation to come to God just as you are—whether you have a handful of flour, empty hands, or a heart full of grief. God meets us in the wilderness, in enemy territory, in scarcity, and in sorrow. He is the God who provides, who hears our cries, and who brings resurrection to lifeless places. The story does not end with drought or death, but with new beginnings and hope. No matter where you find yourself today, God invites you to come and trust that He is still the God who raises the dead. [33:15]

Isaiah 55:1-3 (NLT)
“Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink—even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk—it’s all free! Why spend your money on food that does not give you strength? Why pay for food that does you no good? Listen to me, and you will eat what is good. You will enjoy the finest food. Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel unworthy or empty, and how can you respond to God’s invitation to come to Him just as you are today?

Sermon Summary

The story of Elijah in 1 Kings 17 invites us to consider what it means to follow God into places that make no sense—into scarcity, obscurity, and even enemy territory. Elijah, a prophet from an unknown place, is called by God not to comfort or security, but to a wilderness where he must rely on ravens—unclean, unlikely providers—for his daily bread. When the brook dries up, God sends him to Zarephath, a Gentile town, to depend on a widow who is herself at the end of her resources. This is not just a story of miraculous provision, but of God’s willingness to meet us in the contradictions and discomforts of life.

Elijah’s journey is marked by audacity and humility. He stands before kings to declare drought, but then is hidden away, learning dependence and trust in silence and obscurity. The provision of bread and meat by ravens, and later by a destitute widow, challenges our assumptions about where and how God works. God’s miracles often come through the least likely people and places, and sometimes the call of God leads us not to platforms, but to the margins.

The widow’s response to Elijah’s outrageous request—giving her last morsel of bread—demonstrates a faith that acts even when there is nothing left to give. Her obedience precedes the miracle; provision follows surrender, not the other way around. Yet, the story does not end with the miracle of unending flour and oil. Tragedy strikes when her son dies, and both Elijah and the widow are plunged into grief, anger, and confusion. Elijah’s prayer is raw and honest, accusing God and refusing to hide his pain. It is in this place of vulnerability, not certainty, that God responds with resurrection.

This narrative reminds us that God is not looking for polished perfection, but for honest relationship. God holds space for our doubts, our anger, and our exhaustion. The resurrection of the widow’s son is not just a miracle for her, but a confirmation for Elijah—a reminder that God’s story does not end in drought, famine, or death, but in new life. Even when we feel empty, lost, or at the end of ourselves, God invites us to come as we are, trusting that He can bring life to the most lifeless places.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s call often leads us into obscurity and discomfort, not comfort or recognition. Elijah’s story begins in anonymity, reminding us that God does not require status or pedigree, but a willingness to respond. Sometimes, the most significant spiritual formation happens in hidden places, away from the spotlight, where we learn to trust God in silence and scarcity. [10:51]
2. Divine provision frequently comes through unexpected and even uncomfortable means. Elijah is fed by unclean ravens and later by a Gentile widow with nothing left to give. God’s resources are not limited by our expectations or cultural boundaries; He delights in using the unlikely and the marginalized to accomplish His purposes. [16:06]
3. Obedience and faith are often required before provision is seen. The widow’s willingness to give her last morsel, despite her desperation, becomes the seed for God’s miracle. This challenges us to trust God not when our hands are full, but when they are empty, believing that surrender can precede abundance. [23:28]
4. Honest lament and raw prayers are not signs of weak faith, but of authentic relationship with God. Elijah’s confrontation with God over the death of the widow’s son is marked by anger and confusion, yet God honors this honesty. True spiritual strength is found not in pretending certainty, but in bringing our real selves—our doubts, grief, and questions—before God. [26:37]
5. Resurrection—literal or metaphorical—often comes after we have carried the weight of death and disappointment. The story’s turning point is not the daily provision, but the moment when Elijah stretches himself over the lifeless boy and cries out to God. Sometimes, our calling is confirmed not in our victories, but in our willingness to contend for life in the face of loss, trusting that God’s story is not finished. [32:40]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:00] - Introduction to Elijah and Elisha
[02:41] - Elijah’s Call and the Drought
[04:53] - Personal Story: Obedience in Uncertainty
[06:36] - Elijah’s Background: Obscurity and Calling
[08:16] - The Drought and God’s Unusual Provision
[09:38] - Sent to Zarephath: Enemy Territory
[10:51] - God’s Will in Uncomfortable Places
[12:43] - Public Obedience, Private Waiting
[14:03] - Lessons from the Wilderness
[16:06] - The Irony of God’s Provision
[20:06] - The Widow’s Dilemma and Faith
[23:28] - The Risk of Obedience
[24:40] - Grief, Anger, and Honest Prayer
[26:37] - Elijah’s Lament and God’s Response
[28:23] - Resurrection and Recognition
[32:40] - When the Story Feels Over
[33:15] - Invitation to Trust God in Scarcity
[37:54] - Closing Prayer and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Kings 17:1-24 (NLT) — (You may want to read the whole chapter together, or assign sections to different people in the group.)

Observation Questions

What are some of the unlikely or uncomfortable places God sends Elijah in this story? ([08:16])
How does God provide for Elijah during the drought, and who are the unexpected people or things He uses? ([09:38])
What is the widow’s situation when Elijah first meets her, and how does she respond to his request? ([20:06])
What happens after the miracle of the unending flour and oil? How do Elijah and the widow react to the tragedy that follows? ([24:40])

Interpretation Questions

Why might God choose to send Elijah into obscurity and discomfort, rather than to a place of comfort or recognition? ([10:51])
What does the story suggest about the way God provides for His people? How does this challenge our expectations? ([16:06])
The widow gives her last bit of food before seeing God’s provision. What does this say about faith and obedience? ([23:28])
Elijah’s prayer after the widow’s son dies is raw and honest. What does this teach us about how we can approach God with our pain and questions? ([26:37])

Application Questions

Have you ever felt like God was leading you into a place or season that made no sense—maybe a time of scarcity, obscurity, or discomfort? How did you respond, and what did you learn? ([04:53])
Are there areas in your life right now where you feel “hidden away” or overlooked? How might God be using this time to shape your trust or dependence on Him? ([14:03])
God’s provision for Elijah came through ravens and a Gentile widow—both unlikely sources. Can you think of a time when God provided for you in an unexpected or uncomfortable way? How did that impact your faith? ([16:06])
The widow’s obedience came before the miracle. Is there something God is asking you to do or surrender before you see the outcome? What would it look like to take that step of faith? ([23:28])
Elijah and the widow both bring their grief and anger honestly before God. Is there a place in your life where you need to be more honest with God about your doubts, pain, or exhaustion? What might it look like to pray “raw” prayers this week? ([26:37])
The story doesn’t end with the miracle of provision, but with resurrection after loss. Is there an area of your life that feels lifeless or hopeless right now? How can you invite God to bring new life there, even if you’re still carrying disappointment? ([32:40])
The sermon says God is not looking for polished perfection, but for honest relationship. What would it look like for you to come to God “as you are” this week? ([33:15])

Sermon Clips

Sometimes the next step after public obedience, it's private waiting. Sometimes the way forward in faith feels like a retreat. Don't get it twisted. God often shapes prophets in silence before he uses them in storms. [00:14:06] (18 seconds) #SilentShapingBeforeStorms

But God doesn't need your standards. He'll use the wild to feed the weary. Don't miss this. Even prophets experience drought. Even people of faith watch the brook dry up. But provision doesn't always mean permanent. Sometimes when the stream dries, it's not punishment. It's preparation for the next miracle. [00:15:00] (25 seconds) #DroughtAsPreparation

The beauty of Elijah's relationship with God is not found in his certainty. It's found in his refusal to fake strength before God. How many times we think that we have to place our best foot forward and show up like there's nothing wrong with us and we're totally fine. You know what I see here in scripture? I see God holding space for a servant that simply does not have the capacity to always stay faithful. [00:27:29] (39 seconds) #StrengthInVulnerability

Daily provision is easily explained away but resurrection comforts you you can rationalize a stocked pantry but you can't rationalize a dead boy breathing again this was not just the boy's resurrection folks this was Elijah's too because sometimes your calling is confirmed not in your victories but in the moments you carry death and yet still believe. [00:29:51] (31 seconds) #FaithConfirmedInLoss

Maybe your brook has dried up. Maybe you're standing in front of someone else's pain and you feel helpless. Maybe you're holding on to something that you think is dead, a dream, a purpose, a relationship, a faith, and you're asking, why God did you let this happen? If that's you, I have news for you today. I don't think you're faithless and I don't think you're broken. I just think you're in the story. [00:32:40] (35 seconds) #InTheStoryNotBroken

Because this is a God who doesn't just provide oil and flour. This is the God that raises the dead. This is the God who honors doubt, who hears your cries and moves when you stretch yourself over lifeless places. [00:33:15] (17 seconds) #GodOfResurrectionAndDoubt

``So here's the invitation. Come. Even if all you have is a handful of flour, come. Even if your hands are empty, come. Even if you're carrying grief, come. Even if your prayers sound more like protest than praise. Because I have good news for you. The story does not end with drought, folks. It doesn't end with famine. It doesn't end with death. The story is only just getting started with resurrection. [00:33:31] (33 seconds) #ComeWithEmptyHands

So come to the God who shows up in enemy territory. To the God who feeds through strangers. The God who hears your cry and breathes again. To the God who turns your last meal into your first miracle. Come to the God who still raises the dead. [00:34:04] (21 seconds)

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