Enjoy God’s ‘PROVISIONS’ by giving HIM our FIRST PORTION!
April 12 Bible
Reading: 1 Kings Chapters 16-18
Enjoy God’s ‘PROVISIONS’ by giving HIM our FIRST PORTION!
And Elijah said to her, "Do
not fear; go and do as you have said, but make me a small cake from it first,
and bring it to me; and afterward make some for yourself and your son. For thus
says the Lord God of Israel: 'The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall
the jar of oil run dry, until the day the Lord sends rain on the earth.'"
So she went away and did according to the word of Elijah; and she and he and
her household ate for many days. 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.
(1 Kings 17:13-16)
Zarephath, a
city on the Mediterranean coast in Phoenicia, was the location of the first miracle of Elijah. In obedience to
the word of God, Elijah journeyed to Zarephath where God had arranged a Gentile
widow to feed him. She is not identified as either Phoenician or Israelite, but
was apparently a worshiper of Jehovah. She was a poor lady who was about to prepare
her last meal before the famine claimed her and her only son’s lives. She was actually
subjected to a severe test of faith
when Elijah requested her to prepare a meal for him first!
This poor widow
was asked to give up the last portion of her food to Elijah, and
in return, God would give her an unfailing provision. In effect, she was to give
God the first place during her battle
for survival. She overcame her fear and responded by faith in God and His
prophet Elijah. When she obeyed, she learned the precious lesson that those who put God first never lack the
necessities of life. Her bin of flour and jar of oil never failed through
the entire period of famine. In the New Testament, Jesus honored this
Phoenician widow in His inaugural sermon, triggering a violent reaction from
His hometown listeners (Luke 4:25–26).
When genuine
faith is tested, it brings glory to God and works for the good of the believer
(1 Peter 1:7). While an apostate Israelite nation suffered because of the
drought, God supplied the daily necessities to a non-Israelite who willingly
took Him at His word. The fresh supply of oil and flour each day was a reminder
to both the prophet and the widow of the value of personal trust in God who
alone was sufficient to meet their every need.
What we can
see in this incident is that God was in
command of nature, people, and circumstances, not only in Israel, but even
in Jezebel’s home region—the heart of Baal country. When we walk by faith and
give Him the first place in our lives, God will supply all our needs and will open doors of opportunity for us. Be sure to
trust the Provider and not the provision! Brooks dry up, but God never fails! Let
us enjoy God’s provision by giving
Him our first portion!
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you" (Matt 6:33). "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus" (Phil 4:19).
